Left of Center....New Challenge

These two cards are design team makes for Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge is just about to begin and will run for a fortnight. It has the theme of Anything Goes..so why not pop over and join in the fun.

 We are lucky to have two sponsors for this challenge. These two images that I've used on the cards above are from the wonderful team over at All Dressed Up. They have some wonderfully cute images. I hope that you will take a look at all the wonderful art that is available to buy as a digi and use in your card makes.

Our other sponsor for this challenge is SLS Lines and I will share my make using their image next week.
I hope that you will pop over and take a look at all the other delicious creations made by the other members of the design team. They are always a wonderful source of inspiration.
Well the coffee is calling and as Sparkle has just arrived..I shall be smiling at him in the hope that he will do the deed..lol. I'm amazed that I have managed to blog at all with all the trouble that BT are giving me. They just get worse and worse. Complaints will be going in again I feel...but we shall leave that until after the festive season. So until next time...take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery....Fifty Shades

Todays card is a design team make for the fantastic company of Jiggery Makery. I had so much fun designing this dress..I only wish I had the figure to wear something like this. For some reason I wanted to do a grey dress with silver glitter and the thought then came along about the book..50 shades..which gave me the sentiment on the card. For some reason the card seems to have tilted in the photograph..I'm sorry about that..I would have rephotographed but it has already sold..lol I hope who receives this card has a great Christmas!!!
The ladies that Adele has created for Jiggery Makery make the perfect focal point for any card you wish to make. And then you get the great excuse to design the dress of your dreams. The ladies would also make great focal points for cards for the proms that a lot of girls now have. It used to be only in America but now I hear more and more about British Proms. All the ladies I know just love any excuse to splash out on a fantastic dress. So if you are looking to make a glamorous card..just pop over and take a look at the Jiggery Makery facebook page..the other members of the design team have made some wonderful creations.
It's a good day here in the mountains today..so a lot of the cats are outside.I have to say though that the kittens are driving me mad..lol. I have tried to wrap some presents and they just won't leave them alone. I came into the parlour this morning to find 2 of the kittens curled up asleep in my box of presents. As I write they are all playing on the floor..the noise that they can make is unbelievable and who needs cat toys when they have boxes,toilet rolls and newspaper.Shredding seems to be a favourite pass time. Some mornings it looks as if the house has been taken over by Andrex puppies. There will be a trail of loo paper from the bathroom, trailing round and across the landing, ending in the parlour...lol.
Well the coffee is calling and then I will have to go on a hunt for a present that I've put in a safe place and yet have no idea where it is. I'm collecting a lot of work to do over the Christmas..I like to have a few designs on the go..so I can flick between a number at the same time.I will be back later on today with another design team make...so until then..take care and happy crafting  

JiggeryMakery....Christmas Ladies

This card is a design team make for the fabulous Jiggery Makery. This lady is one of my favourites and I decided that she could be a wonderful make for the festive season. I coloured the image with my promarkers and added some glittery Christmas trees to her dress. She even has glittery pom poms on her shoes. I then thought about the song..Rocking around the Christmas tree..so I needed a tree. I had this fabulous stamp from Stampendous Stamps so I coloured it as well with my promarkers and added a glittery base. Now I started singing the song, I can't get it out of my head..lol
There are some fabulous ladies over at Jiggery Makery..so why not pop over to their facebook page and take a look. Over the past few weeks, the other members of the team have created some fantastic creations..a wonderful source of inspiration. The lovely ladies of Jiggery Makery are just a perfect source to create whatever type of card you like to make. And I have to add that the gentlemen in my life do enjoy receiving a glamorous lady..lol.
As I write it is still raining and all the cats are now sulking.I have to add that the kittens are helping to put them all in a bad mood. Since the kittens have been running about, the big cats have really had their tails in a knot. But at least they have all been very good with the babies. Last night Simon slept on the bed with Jeffrey and it was so sweet. Simon kept rubbing up to Jeffrey and then kept copying everything he did. And to make matters even weirder he kept making little noises..just like Jeff does. So when I popped to the bathroom, the two of them came with me, both making little noises and then finally followed me back. The exciting life I live..lol..and I can count my blessing every day.
Well the coffee is calling again and then it will be time to think about getting dinner ready. We are having fish again tonight and then tomorrow it will be liver and onion gravy.I'm looking forward to it already. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Decoupage Delights....Vintage Christmas

Todays card is a design team make for the fabulous company of Decoupage Delights. This decoupaged bell is from the Vintage Christmas cdrom. Bells have long been decorating Christmas Cards and I always wonder why. Is it just the connection with the church and represents the peeling of bells to represent the good news? I have to say that I don't really know why..but I shall treat it as a quest to find out more. This years Christmas orders have seemed to use a lot of images using bells and this is one of my favourite images. And below is my other most used image..I have used both so much, I feel as if I could cut them out in my sleep..lol

On both images, I have decoupaged the bells and of course I had to add a little glitter..lol. I do hope that you will pop over to the Decoupage Delights facebook page and take a look at all the fabulous cdroms that are available. Also it's always a good idea to keep an eye out for some of the fabulous deals that come up on the page.
Here in the mountains today, the mists are down..so it feels as if we are in Brigadoon again. And it's raining but I have to say that it's surprisingly warm. Despite that none of the cats are going out. Jeffrey is sat on the windowsill looking out but not wanting to put a paw out..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and my list of things to do never seems to get any shorter..as soon as I finish one thing it seems as if another three things pop on. I hope that your Christmas preparations are going well and that you are not wearing yourself out. I shall be back later with more design team makes..so until then..take care and happy crafting.

A Snowflakes Promise....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at a Snowflakes Promise. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next fortnight. The theme as always is Christmas or a Winter themed make. We have been so lucky to have an amazing amount of entries and I have so enjoyed looking at them and reading the blogs.

We have been lucky enough to have been sponsored this challenge by the fabulous team over at Just Inklined. I had a really hard time choosing which image to work with but as I looked out of my window, my friends geese walked past..so that decided my choice..lol. and it will be a nice card to give her this festive season.

I do hope that you will pop over to the Snowflakes Promise blog and take a look at the wonderful makes that have been created by the rest of the team.

I have to say that the weather here seems to be very calm at the moment...I just wonder what it's thinking of hitting us with next. There has been a lot of talk about possible snow..we shall have to wait and see. It's a bit cloudy today but that's about it..even the postman was surprised that it wasn't raining. He is a lovely man and is never miserable..no matter what the weather.
I'm a bit worried..as I sit here typing..there is no sign of any little kitten..I dread to think what they may be doing. They are normally either running around like little maniacs or asleep on my legs. I have a horrible feeling that they be downstairs playing pinball with my bottles of Christmas juice. Today was my delivery before Christmas..the only other thing left to get is my fresh veg which my friend is going to get me next week. As far as everything else..if it's not in the house now..it won't be coming. Packing the fridge was like a game of jenga..if you pull something out goodness knows if the rest will stay. At least the cats will be happy..all their food is here..and what a pile it is..what gets me is that no matter how much they have..they could always do with some more..lol. The worst offender for playing I need more food is Nicademus..he will follow you round demanding..even though he just had his breakfast.
Well the coffee is calling and then I've still lots to do..some painting, finish some cards,and make some gifts...so the caffeine is needed. It's going to be my favourite dinner tonight..fish with baby potatoes and salad...I shall be a happy woman..it doesn't take much..lol. All the meat for Christmas is in the freezer..so I'm a happy woman. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center....A Black and White Christmas

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. I am really enjoying being on this team and the other members are a constant source of inspiration to me. A new challenge is just about to begin and the theme for this week is 'A Black and White Christmas'. I have to say that I have never contemplated doing a black and white Christmas card but I really enjoyed it. Why not have a go and come and join in the fun?

We are lucky to have been sponsored by the great team over at Stitchy Bears. The selection of digi images that are available are amazing. I always have such fun choosing what image to work with...and seeing the black reindeer image..I knew it was the one for me.

I seem to have been in the middle of a pile of orders to finish and I'm glad to say that I've finished. Now I just have a pile of the next to do projects to finish..lol. I have a plan this weekend to reclaim my parlour from the Christmas glittery distractions...what I really mean is the pile of Christmas papers and embellishments..lol. At the moment the kittens are fast asleep and not trying to play with all the Christmas ribbons. Little Fiesty has a bit of a thing for ribbons and they seem to find them out from wherever I try to hide them..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and I think that a good caffeine hit is needed. It is an easy dinner tonight..we are having fish...which I adore.. The weather here in the mountains seems to be fine except it's gone rather cold..but I would sooner have that than the wind and the rain. Wherever you are I hope that you are nice and warm. So until next time...take care and happy crafting.

Decoupage Delights....Vintage Christmas

Today's cards are design team makes for the fabulous company of Decoupage Delights. Both of these cards are from the Vintage Christmas cdroms. The card above features this fantastic image of the three little dogs singing their hearts out. I of course just had to add glitter..lol. On the card below, I also had glitter fever but again is a truly wonderful image. I have found over the last few years, vintage has really become a favourite with my customers. I find that they are looking for cards that remind them of their childhoods or that feature very traditional images. Decoupage Delights has been my go to place for these images.

I do hope that you will pop over to their facebook page and take a look at the wonderful cdroms that are available. And I have to say that the value for money is amazing.
At the moment I am wedged into my corner with kittens causing chaos across the parlour. I have been printing images for card orders all morning and now I can't move for card and paper. It is the result of trying to keep four lively kittens off the card. My plan is that I'll be card making all day and then I'll be painting tomorrow. Lots of work...that's how I like it.
The wind has started to rage again and all the big cats have run home. I have to say that it's not raining at the moment..which is something. But as I sit here I can hear the slates rattling on the roof. There have been quite a few off here in the village. I just feel so much for the people in Cumbria that are trying to save their homes whilst flooding is surrounding them. I can think of nothing worse. It must be so heart breaking trying to save your belongings while Mother Nature does her worst.
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be down to some serious work. If nothing else at least it will keep me quiet. Finally it seems that the kittens have gone to sleep..on my legs..lol. At least with them there, I know that they aren't around the corner from me causing mayhem. Wherever you are, I hope that the weather is being kind to you. So until next time...take care and happy crafting.

JB- Crafting Supplies.......Snow Cuddles

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful company of JB-Crafting Supplies. I have used this stamp from Stampendous Stamps. I just loved this image of the snowmen and had such fun stamping, colouring and of course glittering this card. For any of your christmas crafting needs, please pop over to the JB-Crafting Supplies shop and take a look.
Well what a weekend it turned out to be.I had all these plans of work to do and what with the wind, the kittens and the electricity supply..hardly any thing got done.The wind and the rain raged on Friday and Saturday...the lights were forever on and off and when it finally came on..there was no internet connection. And I have to say that this cottage is really dark with no lights..and with all the kittens..candles were not an option..lol.
The kittens are growing rapidly and eating me out of house and home..lol. They now come downstairs whilst I'm cooking..and it's a hectic time. Because the kitchen is quite a large room, they can pick up quite a speed and the noise that they make is unbelievable.
I tend to find this time of year really hard, with missing Henry as I do. This was one of our favourite times of year and the house used to be filled with laughter and anticipation. The magic of the season always seemed to be around. At the moment I seem to feel nothing and it's really hard...all the adverts on the television, the films and everything we used to be into..I can't get there. Everyone is so kind and I'm blessed with amazing friends but I just don't know how to get out of this funk. I have to believe that time will make things easier and that perhaps next year I will try and do the whole christmas thing to honor Henry and all the christmases we shared. Next year I shall perhaps put a tree up. Goodness knows I can only hope. And I shall continue to count my blessings.
Well the coffee is calling and I think a good dose of caffeine will do me good. As I write all the kittens have finally gone to sleep..and all is quiet. Even the big cats look relieved..lol. I hope that the weather is being kind to you.So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Gruffies and Guests.....Snowflakes and Sparkle

Today's card is a design team make for the fabulous team over at the Gruffies and Guests. A new challenge has just begun, using the theme of Snowflakes and Sparkle. It seems to me to be the perfect challenge for December. As always you must use a House Mouse, Gruffie or Happy Hopper design..but there are so many to choose from..it's not hard.Saying that though if you are anything like me..then you will find it hard just because I love them all..lol
We are lucky enough to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Petal Lu. One of my favourite places to get embellishments from. I hope that you will pop over and take a look at all their goodies.

What a night and day it has been. As I write the wind is raging round these mountains. All I could hear was tiles bouncing in the night and the lights were flashing off and on..it was like trying to sleep in a disco..lol. And to make matters even stranger at one point all the lights were off in the house and then the bedroom light came on..not enough to light the room fully but glowed orange. A really golden orange. It was all very strange. I also had all the kittens arrive on the bed. It always makes me laugh...the colder that it gets..the more arrive on the quilt. Last night I has Raven, Tankie, Jeffrey and Sprout as well as the four kittens..but there is always room for more..lol It makes me smile that I have a single bed and I'm a large lady but we always manage to fit. I laughed because when I used to have a king size bed I was still on the edge and now I'm in a single..I still only have the edge..lol
Well the coffee is calling and the wind is raging. I'm going to do some stamping later..if the kittens will give me a little peace. Wherever you are..just stay safe. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center....The Baa Humbug Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the great team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge is just about to begin and the theme for this week is Baa Humbug. This theme made me laugh because even if we don't feel this way ourselves..we will most likely know someone who acts like that..lol.

We are lucky this week to have been sponsored by the fantastic artist Rick St. Dennis. I just love his work and there is just so much to choose from on his site.

I just had to work with this image of the lady with the hammer and the alarm clock. It reminded me of many Christmases past, where I didn't seem to have enough hours in the day to get everything finished. I would wander around the house, lists in hand, muttering to myself. There were definitely times when I wanted to take a hammer to the alarm clock and just carry on sleeping.From my past I can remember thinking to myself that if Christmas was left to the men it just wouldn't happen..lol.
I hope that you will come on over and join in the fun at LOC. Of course, if you don't want to go with the theme..you can enter a LOC themed make. For all details of this , just check out the LOC blog.
AsI write the parlour is looking as if a bomb has landed...thanks to the kittens. They decided this morning to knock over 2 boxes of embellishments...twice I have picked it all up and put it back. As I'm writing this they have just done it again. Fiesty is running round the parlour with a ribbon bow in her mouth. Gannet and Nosey are fighting over a piece of silver ribbon..lol. and Simon is in the box itself having a merry little time.
Well the coffee is calling and I have a lovely long list of work to do. I'm hoping to get my Christmas cards finished..my friend the pa has put me to shame..she has completed so many of hers..I have managed to do about 6..lol. But a calm couple of days and I may have got them done..but who knows with these crazy cats...lol. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge..Use a Sentiment

Here are the two cards that I have made for a design team make for the great team over at the Crafting Musketeers. The theme for this month is to Use a Sentiment. For the card above I have made a card using this beautiful image from the Christmas Moments cdrom, which is available from Creative Crafting World. I of course had to add just a little glitter..lol. I used diecut snowflakes to create a border and added jewels to each.

For the card below, I have used one of my favourite chrismas images from the Christmas At Hollypond Hill cdrom brought to us crafters by Joanna Sheen.

To decorate this card, I have used diecut mistletoe, adding pearls to represent the berries. Both cards of course feature a sentiment. For all details of the challenge, please pop over to the Crafting Musketeers Challenge Blog. There is some wonderful inspiration from the members of the team.

We are lucky enough this week to have been sponsored by the wonderful team over at Sassy Studio Designs. They are a fabulous source of images and inspiration.

Well I think that I deserve another cup of coffee now. I am so enjoying the fact that the kittens are asleep..lol. I now will have an hour of perfect peace...well providing the other cats behave. I had to go and have my eyes done yesterday at the doctors. They put drops of solution in my eyes to dilute the pupils and then photographed my eyes. It was fine but all night it seemed as if I was looking at the world without my glasses on..lol Very strange I have to say. But today all is fine and I'm playing catch up with my work. Have got a few to do tomorrow and then I should be up to date. So until then...take care and happy crafting.

A Step in the Dark......New Challenge

Todays makes are design team makes for the fabulous team over at A Step in the Dark. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next month. The theme is Anything Goes as long as it is a dark side project. For more information just pop over to the facebook page. The image I chose to work with is called kitty cool cat and is from the very talented team over at SLS Lines. This is another cat design which will work with all my other cat designs from their range. I just love the fact that they have so much attitude.

We are lucky enough to have 2 sponsors this month..one being SLS Lines and the other is Ikes Art. For my Ikes Art design, I chose to work with this fabulous image called The Wind Fairy. For this design, I coloured the fairy with my promarkers and painted the background canvas with my acrylic paints.

I also added glitter to the piece of her dress that is blowing in the wind. I love the way that it looks as if the wind is blowing and has caught her dress. She is lucky that she is not here in the mountains today..the chances are that there wouldn't be a lot of her dress left with the way the winds are raging here..lol. I love design that can make you feel what is going on.

I do hope that you will pop over to the facebook page and take a look. We have had some amazing creations over there, that show the wonderful talents of fellow crafters.Some of the makes have just taken my breath away.
Well I'm off to drink some more of my coffee. I've just fed the kittens again and now hopefully they will be asleep for an hour. I can live in hope..lol. At the moment they are all on the blanket that is covering my legs. There still seems to be a bit of rough and tumble going on...but it does seem to be slowing down. I will be back again in a minute with my final design team make of the day..so see you soon.

A Snowflakes Promise......New Challenge

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at a Snowflakes Promise. As always the new challenge will run for a fortnight and the theme is Christmas or winter themed makes. There have been some absolutely beautiful makes and I have so enjoyed looking at them.

For this new challenge we have lucky enough to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Sassy Studio Designs. I chose the Snowman Pinup to work with. I loved the details on this image and so enjoyed working with her. I coloured the image with my promarkers and used some snowflake patterned paper from my stash.

I do hope that you will consider popping over to the A Snowflakes Promise blog and take a look at all the designs created by the rest of the team...they are always a fantastic source of inspiration.
The weather here in the mountains has been horrible. The mists are still down and it's raining so badly that all the cats have decided to stay in and drive me crazy...lol. The kittens are all growing rapidly and the amount of food that they are managing to put away is astounding. I've just had to buy 8 dozen tins of cat food, as well as biscuits and can only hope that it will last for 2 weeks. I have noticed that in the winter months the cats eat more and I've always put it down to the fact that they seem to stay in more and don't go out and hunt.
Well the coffee is calling and I'll be back soon with some more design team makes.So until then..take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center....Anything but Square

Todays creation is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. It is made using this design from Delicious Doodles. I have made this for a friend..just to remind her of my favourite sentiments..to never settle for anything less than butterflies. To me that is something that we should have in a relationship...and nothing less. Anew challenge has just begun and will run for the next week. The theme is Anything but Square..my nemesis..lol. And of course, you have the option of going LOC...just check out the blog and it will tell you the details.

The sponsor for this weeks challenge is Kirsty from KBJ and she has been kind enough to offer a fabulous skull stamp for the prize. It's a fabulous stamp and I'm so jealous that I can't enter myself..lol. Why not pop over and take a look at her blog..a truly wonderful source of inspiration.

The weather here is unbelievable. The mist is down and the wind and rain are raging. I had friends to visit and I felt so sorry for them. Even just trying to get in the door left them soaked to the skin. It was so lovely to see them and Jeffrey really enjoyed being made a fuss of..lol. He is such a fuss monster. And bless them..they were never left for a moment without a kitten around.
As I write they are all asleep...thank goodness. They have played hard all morning and have worn everyone out, including Reg. Little Gannet has a love thing going on with Reg and as I speak he is cuddled up asleep on Reg. Little Fiesty is asleep with her Mum and I have Michael and Nosey on my legs. I had a cat disaster yesterday..one to end all. As most of you know I have a cat with a brain problem and she lives in a duplex with her best friend Icabod..he is the only creature that she will tolerate. She really doesn't like anyone or anything and will attack anything..whether moving or not. Well she escaped yesterday and I was all day trying to catch her. She attacked everyone and spent a lot of time running up the wall. I had to finally give up and went to bed. I had to shut the parlour door to keep her in.I hope that she would go back in the pen at feed time..and she did. She has obviously worn herself out and is now back in the duplex cuddled up to Icabod. They are both really happy and I'm exhausted..lol. But I have a fair amount of work to do today and tomorrow and it's just as well looking at the weather.
Well the coffee is calling and I'm hoping that the kittens will sleep for a couple of hours. I'm trying to catch up on my work as yesterday the internet only worked for about 3 minutes. What a day it was with the kittens, Twinkle, no internet, the water going off and the weather. Life in the country ..lol. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

JB-Crafting Supplies.....Christmas Thoughts

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful company of JB-Crafting Supplies. This card was made using the wonderful paper pad featuring the art work of Margaret Tarrent, brought to us crafters by Joanna Sheen. I absolutely adore these images as they remind me of books that I loved as a child. And what a wonderful time to bring back memories of childhood days. This image of the girl cuddling the bunny is so evocative of days past.
I'm feeling worn out already today. The little kittens are driving me to distraction..lol. I cannot help but smile at their antics. Today, as soon as I put my legs up..they all invaded and settled down on my legs and all went to sleep. The only problem was Jeffrey...the poor boy. He had already settle down on my legs and then suddenly his space was invaded by 4 perky little kittens. Amazingly he let them all cuddle up on top of him and for half an hour peace reigned..lol. At the moment all the kittens have all cuddled up with Flossie..but I know that it won't last for long..within the hour it will be playtime again.
It is cold here in the mountains today. All the cats were shocked when we had snow at the weekend. I have never seen furry bodies come home as quickly as they did when the snow began. They have all found their own spaces in which to settle down..unfortunately Nicademus has decided that the airing cupboard is the best place in the world. And he's not for moving..lol
Well the coffee is calling and my need for caffeine is huge. I'm trying to think what to do for dinner this evening. We has a roast lamb dinner last night and I'm thinking that if there is enough left..I may make another. If there is not enough to do a dinner..I may make a meat and potato pie..it is a recipe of my Grandmother and it makes a little meat go a long way. And all my friends know that I specialise in spot the meat dinners..lol. So until next time...take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center....A New Challenge

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next week. The theme is to use a sentiment or of course you have the option og going LOC. All rules for that option are on the LOC blog. I hope that you will pop over and take a look at all the wonderful projects made by the other members of the design team. They are always a wonderful source of inspiration.

We are lucky this week to have been sponsored by the fantastic team over at AliciaBel. What a great range of digis they have available. I have chosen to work with Fanny Fantom and she just makes me smile. I have coloured her with my promarkers. I thought that the sentiment fitted the picture...so many times in life we seem to be bound by chains, either of our own making or by ones that other people put on us. If we can break our bonds, then we can hopefully be a lot happier. That's why this picture just makes me happy..she has broken the ties that bind and is making her own way forward.
I'm sure that as the kittens get bigger..I get more worn out..lol. As soon as they hear my voice, first thing in the morning...they all run to me, demanding to get attention. That's all lovely apart from the fact that I may be sat on the loo with the 4 little devils trying to climb my lags..lol. Then as I walk into the parlour, with one on each foot and 2 hanging from my skirt..I know that my day has begun. They are all now eating well..thank goodness. Bumble will only eat if he has a bowl of milk first..and you should hear the row he makes as he's waiting for me to open the milk. At the moment they are all asleep with their Mum. And I have such good news..Flossie their mum has been offered a new home. It's with a lovely lady that I've known since I moved to the village 25 years ago and I know that she will have a wonderful home and be spoilt rotten. I am so happy.
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be back to work for me. I've a long list for the weekend..on which is the job of sorting the couch out. As I work my boxes end up on the couch as they're finished with and there always comes a time that they all need to be tidied and put away. That time has arrived..lol. No doubt when I put them away,I will need something that is in one of them...it's always the way. I'm off to hit the caffeine...so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.