Jiggery Makery....Thinking Ahead

Here I am again..sooner than I thought I would be. My worry is that the wind is getting stronger by the minute and the power may go off again. Anyway here is my design team make for the wonderful company of Jiggery Makery. Time seems to be going by so quickly and before we know it Valentines Day will be here..so I thought it was the perfect time to showcase some of Adeles ladies that seem to me perfect for that special time of the year. The great thing about these ladies is that they are glamorous, fun and a joy to work with. I have to admit to a bit of a passion for strange coloured hair but that's one of the great things with digital designs..you can colour them any way you like. Why not pop over to the Jiggery Makery facebook page and take a look at all the ladies. You may find the perfect one to make your Valentines card.
I'm going to head off now before the power goes off and hope that I can dinner cooked. We are having meatloaf, mashed potatoes and sprouts with onion gravy. I may make a pudding but I haven't decided yet. The kittens have made a holy mess..I'd piled a load of rubbish to go out and whilst I've blogged I've noticed that they have had it out all over the floor. Bless them..or words to that effect..lol So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center...New Challenge

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next week. This challenge is a Anything Goes LOC. For my make I chose to work with this fabulous image from Delicious Doodles.

I am truly amazed that I have finally managed to blog. The power went off in the middle of the night and has only just managed to come back on. This cottage has got to be one of the worst places to manage when there is no power. It is very dark and of course the kittens made it all very hard under foot. I was safer not moving..lol. So all day I have been sat by the window colouring. At least I managed to get some work done.

I hope that you will pop over to the Left of Center blog and take a look. Also pop over to Delicious Doodles page and take a look at all the wonderful designs that are available. Teri..the artist also has an adult colouring book available...filled with all her delicious doodles.

Well the coffee is calling and I will be back after my caffeine hit with another design team make. As the weather is just so bad..it's the perfect time to stay in and craft. At least that's my excuse..lol. So until later..take care and happy crafting.

Decoupage Delights.....Bring on the Wildlife

Todays cards are design team make for the wonderful company of Decoupage Delights. I just love this Wildlife cdrom from them. The first card is a 'quick card' from the cd and features this striking white tiger. The backing paper was already put together for you, so all I had to do was to mount it onto some holographic card and it was ready to go. The good thing with these 'quick cards' is you can put as much or as little work into the card that you want. Let's be honest..there are days when your mojo has gone off on it's own and that's usually the time you remember a friends birthday. These cards are perfect for this. And on the days when you feel like crafting for a while..go the whole hog, decoupage and embellish to your hearts desire.

On the card below, I just had to use this wonderful image of the meercats. I have a number of friends who just love them and would adore this card. For the background I have used this textured paper from my stash..I thought it looked like the ground where meercats come from and I have to admit to that paper being in my stash for the last 10 years..lol...it was just waiting for the right image. I have decoupaged the image and have thought that it would make a great mans card. I think that all the images on this cd would be great for my male friends. I get so fed up seeing mens cards with ships, fishing and football on them. I know that there are a lot of men who love these things but equally there are lots who don't.

I have to admit that today I feel as if I got up at a ridiculous time. Flossie was going to her new home today and was leaving at just after 7.30 a.m. So I had to get up really early so I could feed all the other cats first. Goodness knows that they are not used to being fed so early and will no doubt be demanding afternoon tea..lol. As I write, the kittens are playing, running up and downstairs like maniacs and all the big cats are sat watching them. Tankie has taken to playing with the kittens and that's really funny to watch. Tomorrow is Virgo mans funeral. Sadly it has happened to fall on the same day that Henrys was. I know it will be a difficult day. We will have to leave the house early to make sure we get there in time..especially if it keeps raining as it has today..the roads have started to flood..so keep your fingers crossed for me tomorrow. Well the coffee is calling and I've lots to do. I'm starting work on the parlour on Friday.I've got all the plans in my head..I just hope they work out in real life..lol. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Snowflakes Promise.....New Challenge

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at a Snowflakes Promise. A new challenge has just begun and the theme has changed seeing as Christmas is now over, and we have gone seasonal or Anything goes...the choice is yours. I love the idea of doing seasonal cards..that way we can do Easter, valentines, St. Patricks Day or anything else that pops up. With the option of Anything Goes, of course you can enter any type of card.
I chose to work with this really unusual fairy. As soon as I saw her I wanted to give her a different skin tone than normal..so she has a slightly blue tinge. I then continued to colour in her clothes and wings with different shades of blue. Then I glittered her wings. I then found the saying and thought it was perfect for the coming year..after all who knows what is coming...who knows where the journey will take us. It's the same with my blogging journey...who knew where it would take me and whether or not I would still be on it. Well I am and it seems to get better all the time..the friends I have made and the design teams that I get to work with..I feel really lucky. I've shared the ups and downs of my life and all the crazy antics of my furbabies..and have loved every minute. And who knows what is around the corner?
For this challenge over at a Snowflakes Promise we have been lucky enough to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Stitchy Bears. Why not pop over and take a look at all the wonderful designs that are available.

The new challenge will run for the next fortnight, so why not have a go. For all rules please pop over to the blog. The other members of the design team have created some wonderful makes..why not pop over and take a look..I always find them to be a wonderful source of inspiration.
There's big news on the cat front. Little Fiesty has left to rule her new home and reports have it that she is loving it.She is probably enjoying a little peace after living with her brothers..lol. Her Mum, Flossie, is off to her new home tomorrow and that means that I am left with the Tabby terrorists. And goodness me..they are a pair of terrors..lol. All the others are well but sulking today because it's raining. As usual it's all my fault. My friend the vicar has been stuck in America because of the snow...I tell my cats that they should be thankful that they're not living in New York..lol. Where my friend was stopping the snow was so bad that it came halfway up the downstairs window...not the place for little kitties.
Well the coffee is calling and then I have some colouring to do. I'm trying to get ahead with my work, so that I can spend the weekend moving my parlour around...I know that the cats will hate it but I want to make a little room to put my sewing machine up. I have plans..but will have to see if they all work out. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery....Let's keep cosy

This card is a design team make for the wonderful company of Jiggery Makery. The owner of the company and the very talented artist Adele has a fabulous knack of designing wonderful ladies. They always manage to convey an attitude of their own and always have the type of figure I have never had. I think that is why I so enjoy working with them. With the weather being as it is..this seemed to be the ideal digi . I am using this card for a friend whose birthday always suffers with bad weather...I thought that this digi..looking both glamorous and cosy would be perfect.
I hope that you will pop over to the Jiggery Makery facebook page and take a look at all the creations made by the other members of the design team. They, as always are a wonderful source of inspiration.
Those of you that have followed this blog since the beginning will know that this time of year is very difficult for me. After losing Henry..this time of year brings it all back. I miss him every day and still find it so hard to imagine my life ahead with him. Some light has left my life and this time of year seems to be even darker. Last week I had a really bad time..my friend Virgo man passed away suddenly and I'm still finding it really hard to deal with. He had a special place in my heart and my life and yet again I must come to terms with it all. His funeral is next week and is going to be on the same date as Henry's was. I have to believe that they will be together and that there is a point to everything.but I just don't know what it is..perhaps we are not meant to. So if I'm a bit quiet for a couple of days..you will know why.
Well the coffee is calling again..I think sometimes it's only the caffeine that keeps me going..lol. The weather here is very raw..frosts and cold winds..the perfect time for crafting though. I have a pile of colouring to get on with..hopefully it keeps me quiet. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center....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 for this

                                   '

this challenge is 'Lots of Layers'. I cannot explain just how hard it is trying to type with a cat sat on your wrist. As I'm typing Milky is determined to help...no trying to move her..she is not having it..lol


This challenge is being sponsored by the fabulous team over at Shadow Clocksy. What an amazing variety of images they have. I chose to work with this wonderful image of a dream catcher.

As the theme is lots of layers..it seemed the perfect time for some decoupage. I coloured the image with my promarkers. After printing the image 3 times, I decided what I wanted to decoupage and coloured the areas needed. When the image was coloured, I mounted it onto 3 layers of card mats. So all in all there are 6 layers on this card.
I hope that you will pop over to the Left of Center Blog and take a look at the wonderful makes of the rest of the team and why not join in the challenge.
Well the coffee is calling and I will be back in a short while with another design team make. So until then...take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery...Let's get sewing

Here I am again. This card is a design team make for the wonderful company of Jiggery Makery. The lady is called Darlene and wish I looked half as good when I'm doing my sewing..lol. But she does make a fabulous card for a friend who is into sewing. I have also used her on a sign for my sewing room door. The only trouble is that I have yet to have the door made..lol. I coloured this card with my promarkers and embellished with some buttons and some flowers.If you get the chance, please pop over to the Jiggery Makery facebook page and take a look at all the other creations of the design team. They are always a wonderful source of inspiration.
It's still trying to snow here and most of the cats are now sat inside arguing over the catnip mouse. It has got to the point that Nicademus has sat on it and is not sharing. Boys will be boys..lol. There is a cold wind blowing and I have the feeling that it's going to freeze later. I'm all excited today as I've just had an email telling me that my new sewing machine should arrive tomorrow. I finally found my old sewing machine, only to find that it had totally ceased up. I was mad at first but then I realised that I had used it for over 30 years..lol. So I went on the hunt for a new one. I just couldn't believe just how much they have come down in price. When I had my old machine bought for me it was over £500..it was the best at the time but over the years I realised that an awful lot of what it could do was not appropriate for what I needed. So I gave it a lot of thought and came to the conclusion that I just need a straight stitch, zigzag and a button hole. Just about as boring as me..lol. Well I was so surprised to find a Brother with those features it's only £65 with free delivery and 3 years warranty. I'm very excited. I'm looking forward to doing some sewing. I will be starting another blog..maybe next month to showcase my sewing. It may be only once a month on that one and it will feature any creations I make. I am of course keeping this blog..this will as always be my main blog....where I can share my cards and other designs...and of course chat about everything else.
Well the coffee is calling yet again...I really am caffeine fuelled..lol. The cats are all quiet now..too much catnip no doubt. I decided that it's going to be a lazy dinner tonight..fish fingers, crinkle chips and salad. And I'm thinking of making some scones. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge is just about to begin and will run for the next week. The challenge for this week is Winter Wonderland.

We are lucky this week to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Limited Runs . I chose to work with this image called chilly owl. I thought that it was perfect for the theme. When it's snowing outside..it may look wonderful but it's definitely chilly...and as I always say it's the perfect time to stay in and craft..lol. This wonderful little owl, I coloured with my promarkers. I do hope that you will pop over to the Limited Runs page and take a look at all the other wonderful digis that are available.

As I sit here today, I can look out of the window and see the white topped mountains. Peaceful you may think but as always the cats are ensuring that it isn't quiet. Milky and Obie are having a tiff and have been having it for the past couple of days..lol. I don't know what has caused the wind to be up their tails but goodness me they can cause some mayhem. All the other cats are staying out of their ways..lol. The kittens are all in the basket with Reg. Last night I gave them a catnip mouse and I haven't stopped laughing at their antics. This little leopard print mouse has gone from mouth to mouth and has been up and downstairs a number of times. We have had some serious rolling in raptures..lol. As I write it keeps trying to snow..everytime a new fall happens, the cats that are outside all run in and try to tell me that it's all my fault. Well of course it is..lol. I hope that the weather is being kind to you wherever you are.
Flossie is due to go to her new home in about 2 weeks. She was going before but we wanted to arrange that she would be doctored before she went and the vet has said that he only doctors cats on a Wednesday and was booked up next week. So now she is booked in and Fiesty..the black and white kitten hasa new home as well. Then that leaves only the tabby terrorists to home.
Well the coffee is calling and then I will be back later with another design team make. So until then..take care and happy crafting.

Decoupage Delights....Wildlife Collection

Here I am again. This card is a design team make for the wonderful company of Decoupage Delights. For the next couple of weeks I will be featuring their wonderful cdrom...The Wildlife Collection. It features a wide ranging collection of wildlife and some stunning card fronts. The cd contains 250 sheets..which includes 50 Quick card makes. One of which is featured above. One of the most wonderful things about the cd is the amount of backing papers..usable for any of your cardmaking needs. I thought for my first card from this collection, I would use this wonderful quick card make. The whole card would fit an A5 card but I cut it down to use on the front of a 6x6 card. The tigers head has been decoupaged. I just loved this amazing picture. I do hope that you will pop over to the Decoupage delights facebook page and take a look at all the other cds that they have..all at a wonderful price. And always keep your eye on the page as they very often have a free download.
A lot has happened since earlier. I actually had a phone call from BT. The gentleman told me that the internet connection was terrible..that since he had been monitoring the connection had dropped out 450 times. I told him I knew..lol. He is due to ring back later...we shall have to see what happens...lol.
The other thing that has happened is that it has started to snow. The mountains are now white. We shall have to see if it continues. I do so want to take the wheelchair out in the snow..lol.
Well the coffee is now waiting...Sparkle has just made me a brew. It's chicken curry for dinner tonight and roast dinner tomorrow. I do like to be organised..lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

A Snowflakes Promise....New Challenge

Yet again I'm playing catch up, thanks in total to BT. This card is a design team make for the wonderful team at A Snowflakes Promise. A new challenge has just begun and will run for a fortnight. The theme for this challenge is Anything goes.
We are lucky enough to have been sponsored by the wonderful company of Robyns Fetish . I found it so hard to pick what image to use but finally decided on this one called Cabin in the Woods. It is such a great image and is one that could be used all year round.It would be great turned into a winter themed card with snow covering everything. I so enjoyed colouring it..I used promarkers in this instance.

I hope that you will pop over to the blog and take a look at the fabulous makes by the rest of the team.
I have to say that I have finally and without doubt come to the end of my tether with BT. I now intend to get in touch with my local MP. Yesterday was so horrible..in fact it took me 6 hours to pay my phone bill because the internet was either on slow or stop. I decided to phone them to complain and ended up talking to a gentleman in India that couldn't even understand what I was saying. I had to repeat my phone number at least 12 times and he still couldn't get it. Then we moved onto my post code...9 times and we still had no luck. I even got to the point of asking if I could possibly speak to someone who could understand me to be told it was my fault because the line was so bad..lol. He did try to tell me that my speed was 8 and not a problem. I informed him that my speed even on it's best day was 0.5 and what planet did he think I was on..he informed me that I was in Great Britain..you have to laugh. Then he wanted my mobile number and I told him that I don't have one..to which he said..come on you must have one. I told him that I don't have one because there is no signal here..and then had to repeat that 4 times. Supposedly he is doing something to the line over the next 24 hours..I'm not holding my breath. Honestly you couldn't make it up. What I would give to speak to an English speaking person who is actually based in England...or Wales or Scotland. And to cap it all..an hour later I had a phone call off BT...India again..informing me that I hadn't paid my phone bill..which I had. If you were late paying they are efficient enough to either cut you off or apply a late payment fee..yet don't give a fig if your service is horrendous. The other thing that I discovered is that if you use 118 118 for directory enquiries..BT will charge you £7.50 just for using the service. That's if you just want a number and not even connecting..they will charge you £7.50. Everyone I had told this to hasn't realised and have been charged. It's worth checking your own bill if you ever use 118 118..if you complain..they will refund you.What on earth is going on their. They're making a fortune without most people even knowing.
Well after my little rant..the coffee is definitely calling..shouting even..lol. I will have a cup (or two..lol) and then try to be back with my next design team make. It's very chilly here today but I do have my kitten hot water bottles on my legs..lol. So until later...take care and happy crafting.

JB-Crafting Supplies....Making more of your stash

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful company of JB-Crafting Supplies. My mission for the next few weeks for this company is an idea that I've been playing with for the past couple of weeks. It's about looking at your Christmas stash and seeing if you can make any cards for the rest of the year. For the card above, I used Crafters Companions Adorable range. These feature the designs of Jayne Nestorenko and are supposedly Christmas. I took the stamp of the little girl with the cat, stamped her with my memento inkpad and coloured her with my promarkers. I also coloured some flowers to match in. I covered the card with some paper from my stash and added the flowers and a diecut heart to embellish. Making ths card has inspired me to look at other Christmas themed stash and look what I can up with.

The weather here in the mountains today is surprisingly sunny..but it's really cold. All the kittens have curled up on Reg in the basket. It must be like having his own portable electric blanket..lol. They fuss him all the time..getting himself upstairs can take quite a time with the kittens trying to rub up against him. Well the coffee is calling and then it's down to work. I was working on a large picture of a dream catcher  which will be have to be started again..thanks to kitten paws...lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center.....New Challenge

Today's card is actually yesterdays but BT just weren't up to playing fair. I may have the card all ready for blogging and lots to tell you...but when BT don't let me have internet..there is not a lot that I can do. A new challenge has just begun over at the fantastic Left of Center Creative Challenges. As always the challenge will run for the next week and this weeks theme is 'Use Lots of Black'

We are lucky enough to have been sponsored by the wonderful team over at Delicious Doodles. I chose to work with this wonderful image called Loves Faded Memory. As many of you know I do have a passion for skulls and just loved this image. I have coloured it with my promarkers..the shading on the image really helps and gives great shaping to the image.

I just love all the images over at Delicious Doodles and always enjoy working with them. I hope that you will pop over and take a look...they are always a great source of inspiration.
I've had a right couple of days with the kittens. Last week they managed to get hold of 15 toilet rolls and play andrex puppies...the entire upper floor was covered in toilet paper. They had a right time. Following that Fiesty fell down the toilet..it was so funny...she won't be doing that again in a hurry...lol. They are all growing rapidly...as they should with the amount that they eat. Every night they now all trip to bed... as soon as they know that I'm going through my nightly routine..they follow me. I can't even remember the last time that I got to go to the bathroom on my own..lol.
At the moment they are causing havoc as I write. They all love to sit on the pen and watch the television. I have to say that they seem to love Time Team..I think that they love all the digging. As I write, I'm thinking about what to cook for dinner. I have come to the conclusion that I'm going to do some brisket..long and slow. I'm going to do it with Yorkshire pudding, mash potatoes, carrots and green beans with gravy. The nice thing is that I will use whatsoever is left I will make a meat and potato pie for another day. It used to be a favourite of Henry and his friend Pretty. Thinking about cooking..I seem to do a lot that my Grandmother did..a lot of spot the meat dishes and many meals made with leftovers. I'm so thankful that she taught me to cook..I save a fair amount of money using her recipes.
Well the coffee is calling and then I about to start some new card making projects...for a change..lol. The weather here is fine..no rain but goodness me it's cold. But not cold enough yet for my Icelandic socks. My friend Sunshine bought me them from Iceland and they are beautiful...just waiting for it to be colder..lol. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Gruffies and Guests......New Challenge

Here I am with another design team make. This card is for the wonderful team over at Gruffies and Guests. A new challenge has just begun, sponsored by Design team member Kym, who has offered a surprise prize for the challenge. As always your entry must be a Gruffie, Happy Hopper or a House Mouse design. You can choose to follow the theme or enter an anything goes entry.

The them for this month is the wonderful Bingo Board. For my card I have chosen to work diagonally, so on my card there are flowers, gems and a button. I found it great fun.

I do hope that you will pop over to the challenge blog and take a look at all the fabulous makes that the other members of the design team have made. And I hope that you will join in the fun and enter a card of your own making.
In this house, the peace hasn't lasted very long..lol. The kittens are now wide awake and no doubt will be playing until teatime. Gannet is trying his hardest to type on the computer. Fiesty and Nosey are playing in their special box and Simon has taken himself into the cupboard. Jeffrey has got himself onto my legs and is now acting as the official foot warmer.
As I write, I'm munching away on some Jelly Babies and loving it.It seems that I only have them at Christmas and I have to say that it's probably just as well. It's as if they wave at me and I have to have one..lol. As I get older I'm finding that I enjoy fruit jellies much more than chocolate..strange I know..I can't even believe it..lol.I used to be a great fan of anything chocolate but I suppose tastes change.
Well the coffee is calling again and then it will be time to get some work done. I'm just in the mood to do some colouring. Dinner will be Roast Lamb again because there is enough left. So I'm thinking roast potatoes and carrots. I've already planned that tomorrow will be homemade sweet and sour chicken. I have found that I work better with a plan in place...and it seems to save money as well.
Oh and before I forget..why not join the Gruffies and Guests facebook page.

So until the next time...take care and happy crafting.

The Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at the Crafting Musketeers. Anew challenge has just begun and will run for the month of January. The theme for this month is New Beginnings. I chose to work with this wonderful image from Joanna Sheen's Furry Friends cdrom.It features the fantastic photographs of the very talented Rachael Hale.I just adore this image of the cat in the hat and thought that it would be a perfect New Year card. And let us all hope that the new beginning of the year brings us all some good times.
We are lucky enough this month to have been sponsored by the fantastic company of Crafty Sentiments. I hope that you will pop over to their website and take a look at all the wonderful things that they have on offer.

I feel very lucky today that the weather is being a little kinder than normal. This morning I watched the mists rolling in over the mountains..but now they have all faded away as quickly as they arrived. The cats have dashed out to make the most of the dry weather..so for once at least it seems to be very peaceful in the work corner.
Well the coffee is calling..as ever and I will be back soon with another design team make. Wherever you are I hope that the weather is being kind to you..so until later...take care and happy crafting.

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

Here I am again with another design team make. This make is for the fabulous team over at A Step in the Dark. This is a facebook challenge and I hope that you will pop over and join in the fun. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next month..as always it just has to be a dark side make. All details can be found on the facebook page.
For this challenge we are lucky enough to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Ikes Art. I just had to work with this image of the saucy fairy...she had on the killer heels that I never get to wear..lol

I'm quite amazed that I have managed to get this blog post up..with all the trouble that BT are giving us here in the village. All over Christmas we have had hardly any decent internet. If it went any slower it would be on stop..oh hold on a minute..it does that as well. I'm building up to yet another complaint. All I have seen over the Christmas break is adverts for BT and how good their service is...what a joke. Perhaps if you live in London or some of the other larger cities..but here in the country..they don't seem to bother. The other thing that gets me is that we have to pay the same amount for the slowest speed in the country.
Well the coffee is calling again and then it will be time to go downstairs and cook the dinner. It's roast lamb tonight and all the trimmings. I can smell it cooking and it's driving me mad..lol.So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

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

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges.

We are lucky enough to have been sponsored for this challenge by the wonderful company of Ikes Art. I love the range that is available from them and always find it hard to choose which image to work with. As always the challenge will run for a week and the theme for this week is Anything New,

First before a catch up, I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year. I hope that 2016 will bring you all much happiness and many good times. I hope that you will all continue to follow my crazy journey..you never know what is going to happen along the way...lol.
All the animals are well and the kittens ensured that I had an eventful Christmas. They have all grown, not only in size but also in attitude..lol. Nosey continues to be the first in any trouble. Simon has took to following Jeffrey around and now sleeps every night on the bed. Fiesty and Gannet are the two at the center of any chaos..their best play moments are involving a card board box..it has now been here since before Christmas and has provided many hours of entertainment. Gannet likes to hide underneath and move the box around..a bit like a turtle. He runs up onto the other kittens and stalks them and uses the box to pounce on them..it's so funny. All the kittens adore Reg and can be found asleep on top of him at various times of the day. They all fuss him and he loves them. They have definitely helped to keep me a little sane at a difficult time. It was hard at Christmas, missing Henry and remembering the times that we had shared, but at least I had my memories which are a blessing. And with the New Year I'm going to try and make him proud..get my head down and try to make a plan. Maybe next Christmas I will try and have a tree and celebrate the season as we used to do.
Well the coffee is calling and then after a little caffeine, I will be back with another design team make. It would be nice to be able to type without kitten help but I'm at least getting there. So until later..take care and happy crafting.