Decoupage Delights....Pansies

Todays cards are design team makes for the fabulous Decoupage Delights. Both these cards are made from the Fancy Floral cdrom and both are made from one A4 sheet. For the card above, I cut down the A5 image to create the pansy topper and to create the two borders. I began by stencilling the leaves..the stencil is from my stash and I used a distress inkpad to colour. I then added the borders top and bottom and added the topper. I also added a strip of vintage lace and a ribbon bow.

For the card below I used some gold mirri, purple card and some lilac to create a mat on the card and used the same for my topper. I added some lace and ribbon strip, as well as a bow. All the bottom card needs is a greeting but I will add that as I need it.

It's funny what you decide to work with somedays. Pansies always remind me of my Grandmother. She always said that they had happy faces. Perhaps because I've been a little ill and a little down, I needed to think of her today. It has really taken it out of me losing Reg...he was such a loving little dog and had been with me..always ready for a cuddle since losing Henry. I can only hope that they are together now. I feel as if I need to give myself a good shake and get back on track. The last two years have been a battle and I feel as if I have to fight the good fight every day...and always remember to count my blessings. But just sometimes it's so hard. I probably need a good cry, a coffee and I'll be fine.
Even the cats are quiet today. At the moment half of them are outside in the cold sunshine and the others are asleep. It seems unnaturally quiet today. Raven is of course on the wing of my chair..keeping her eye on me. I haven't been on the blog much because of how I felt but I have managed to complete a huge amount of work. I lost my self in a colouring and painting..it was quiet but I did need to be in that space. I'm even pleased with what I managed to complete. So there is an upside to everything. I just need to find the space to carry on tidying my bedroom. I need to make it kitten proof..they have destroyed the bedside cabinet, the dressing table and my necklace holder. I had a beautiful mannequin that was a necklace holder..but they kept managing to knock it off...I've repaired it about 6 times and moved it to different places round the room but they have continued. Now all that remains is pieces..it won't be repaired any more..else there would be more glue than stand. I'm thinking of making something to hang on the wall and need to remember to lock the door when I leave the room. I made a stand for my earrings and they have managed to destroy that as well. I think that they have ran off with some of my earrings..they very well may have taken them into the loft. What can you say...apart from they had a lovely time..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and then I have 3 pieces of work to finish.I think I shall do the bedroom tomorrow and see how far I can get along. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I have just had a funny moment...I have a horrible feeling that all the kittens think that they are all called Come Here. I have just shouted that to get Simon off the TV and they all came running..lol. The lady that had Flossie has also said that if she calls Come Here that Flossie will run at full speed from wherever she is.It has just made me  laugh. So until next time...keep smiling..take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center.....New Challenge

 Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge is just about to begin and will run for the following week. The theme for this week is Sparkle..so it's a perfect time to get out all those glitters and bling. And who as a crafter doesn't have a secret stash of all things sparkly? I have so much, I should be attending a help meeting. One visitor said he had never seen so many shades of glitter..dry,wet or chunky..lol. I told him that as far as I was concerned it was a need...after all you never know what you're going to use until you start creating. But if for some reason you don't like sparkle...you always have the option of going LOC. For all details of that..just have a read on the blog.

We are so lucky this week to have been sponsored by the fabulous Lacy Sunshine. Why not pop over and take a look at all the fabulous images that are available to buy.

I'm sorry that I haven't been on this week..only since Reg passed, I found that I just had to switch off for a while. I got loads of work together and just lost myself in colouring and painting. I do have to say that writing the blog today is rather hard as Raven has decided that she wants to sit on my wrist and arm as I type..lol. And she must be happy..she's purring like a little engine.
It's a lovely day today here in the mountains but I still think it's cold. The village no doubt will be full of holiday makers. All I can hear though is the sound of banging. All the second home owners seem to come up to do work, so every fine day over a bank holiday all you can here is banging, drilling and sawing. There is nothing better than the sound of logs being chopped at midnight. Now a chainsaw has started..joy of joys.Obviously we only live here so are given no thought..after all we are the peasants and must remember to doff our caps at the gentry..lol.I think I'm going to need a coffee soon.
Well the coffee is calling, as I said and then I think I need to finish some of the work that I've started. Most of the cats are outside, enjoying the dry weather. I will be back later with another design team make. I hope that you all have a wonderful Easter weekend..without the sound of a chainsaw. So until later...take care and happy crafting.

A Snowflakes Promise....New Challenge

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful A Snowflakes Promise Challenge. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next fortnight. The theme is A Little Spring or of course you can enter an Anything goes card, especially Christmas. We have had some amazing entries and it is always a joy to see them all.
We are so lucky for this challenge to have been sponsored by the great team over at Limited Runs. I chose to work with this image..I just loved all the detail. I coloured it with my promarkers and thought that it would make a great new home card. I hope that you will pop over to both the Snowflakes Promise blog and to the Limited Runs shop. Both places are a great source of inspiration.

It will be a very short blog today..as I'm going to have a quiet afternoon. I'm so sorry to haveto tell you that my little dog Reg passed in his sleep yesterday. He was an elderly dog andof course we know that it's going to happen but it makes no difference when it happens.Reg was adored by so many people but also by all the cats. They went for walks with him and lay with him either on the floor or in his basket. The kittens are finding it all very strange and have been looking for him.
So just for today I'm ending the blog early and am just leaving you with a picture of Reg sat in one of his favourite places by turnaround tree. Take care everyone xxx

SLS Lines....Spring is in the Air

Todays creation is a design team make for the wonderful SLS Lines. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the forthcoming month. And seeing as today is the official first day of Spring..the theme for the challenge is Spring is in the Air. I was lucky to be able to work with these funky dragonflies. I just loved the looks on their faces and really enjoyed deciding how to colour them. I began by creating the background with my acrylic paints..the only way I can describe the technique is smooshing..lol. I dabbed the different colours onto the board and smooshed them all together. On the dragonflies, I coloured their bodies with my promarkers and their wings with my luminarte paints. And finally I added the sentiments. I am so excited to be on the SLS Lines design team..there are so many delicious images to work with and I feel so lucky to be able to do so. I do hope you will pop over to the SLS blog and take a look at all the other creations that the design team have made. And why not join in the fun and enter the challenge. The sun is shining here in the mountains and goodness me but the sky is blue. The valley always looks it's best on a day like this. I have visitors coming later..I have warned them to put their vests on for although the sun is shining it's still nippy. And I have to bear in mind that they are coming from a warmer place and do live with central heating..it's going to be a bit of a shock to their systems. I have to smile though..one of my visitors has been coming for years..about 20 I think, whilst the other is a newbie. And to make matters even more edgy..she has never met the animals before. Goodness help her if she's not too keen on cats...they will know and are guaranteed not to leave her alone if she is bothered in any way..lol. I have warned but some people just seem to think that they're dumb animals..well I just hope she has braced herself..lol. Seriously though I think everything will be fine..most of the cats are outside..lol. I will let you know how it all goes. Well the coffee is calling and then I'm hoping to get some work done before the visitors arrive. I have managed to print out some designs ready to colour...it means I can put them down easily when the visitors arrive. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

Inspiration Post for SLS Lines

Todays make is a design team make for the fabulous SLS Lines. I have used this wonderful Day of the Dead Calavera. As soon as I saw this image, I was struck by just how wistful she looked. Normally I would have coloured her with bright colours, but for some reason I felt the need to colour her in pastels. I love the look on her face and thought that it fitted well with the quote that I had found. Perhaps I was thinking of Henry when I was making this..every day is still difficult and I don't think that the pain goes away..it just become different.Some days it still hits me like a wall and I have to concentrate on my breathing just to get through. I still hear something and think oh I must tell Henry and then the realisation hits me. ..again.
So if you pop over to the SLS Lines you can read my inspiration post..I'm a little nervous as it is the first one that I've done.As most of you know..I'm not the worlds best with computers..I can waffle on for ever but when it comes to anything technical..I'm rubbish.Some instructions I still have to have written down and have to follow them..no matter that I've now done it loads of times..lol, I use the excuse that with everything else in my head..cards, cats, sewing..there is just no room for anything else..lol.
Well I think it's time for a coffee..I'm only running on one so far today..but I can feel the need..lol. I will be back tomorrow with another make.So until then..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery....Spring is coming..we hope

Here I am again. This card is a design team make for the fabulous Jiggery Makery. For this card I have used this digital design called Grace. Browns and Oranges formed the basis for this card.And there is a reason. I was looking through some vintage fashions and a picture I saw reminded me of an outfit that I had when I was little. It was a trouser suit that I had which was chocolate brown and tangerine..lol. It was the outfit that I wore whenever we had swimming..because it was so warm. It was made of the ever famous crimplene...do you remember it? The trousers were brown with an orange flash on the flare and the top was also brown but the collar and the pocket tabs were orange. I was so co-ordinated in my crimplene..lol. Well it was with this in mind..I coloured  Grace. And then still thinking of the 60's I remembered all the bright circles that appeared in fashion and home decor..so from that memory I designed the card base. It is strange what you remember at the strangest moments. I coloured Grace using my promarkers and then cut her out and added her to the card. I finally added the sentiment and added some toning flowers.
As I'm writing, Nosey has had an exciting little moment of his own. he has just discovered where I have hidden my inking brushes. Ever since I bought my brushes, I kept them at my side in a basket. That was until, the kittens started walking round. For some reason, the kittens loved them and were forever pinching them and running round the house with them..lol. It took me quite a while to collect the six brushes together again. Well when I was sorting my craft stuff out, I gathered them together and put them into a skull mug, placing them on a shelf by my chair. I was so pleased that the kittens hadn't bothered with them and thought that I'd won. Well obviously not. Nosey has just found them and is now fighting me to get hold of them..lol.No peace for me then.
I do hope that you will pop over to the Jiggery Makery face book page and take a look at all the wonderful designs that Adele..the owner and designer of Jiggery Makery..has created. Why not create something that reminds you of some outfit that you have had in the past. I can't help but smile every time I look at Graces outfit. I can almost smell the chlorine..lol
Well the coffee is calling again and then I have some printing to do. The kittens manage to unplug the printer every day..I don't know how they manage it..so I'll end up getting ready to print only to discover that it's been unplugged. Such is the life here in the mountains. I will be back tomorrow with an inspiration post for SLS Lines...a new thing for me..please keep your fingers crossed for me.So until then...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 weeks challenge is Cute and Dark. You , as always have the option of going LOC should you wish. For all details of that, please check out the details on the LOC blog. 

We are so lucky this week to have been sponsored by the uber talented Nicki Burnette. I just adore her images and found it really hard to decide which one to work with. I finally decided on the one that I've worked with because besides being such a cute witch..she has a cat bat..lol. I'm sure that some of mine would love the bat wings. Simon especially..lol. He doesn't do well at jumping so wings would be a great bonus for him. I coloured the image with my promarkers.

I do hope that you will pop over to the blog and take a look at all the fabulous creations made by the rest of the team. I adore all the images and if I had the time, I would have worked with more than one. But seeing what I've been doing this week..I just couldn't find the time. As most of you know I have been clearing and sorting my craft stash. All I can say is that I'm not doing it again in a hurry. I think as I tidied my stuff..my crafting mojo also got tidied away. Late yesterday, I sat down to craft and felt really blocked. I'm so used to having everything I need on a daily basis by my side..all of a sudden it was packed away...it drove me mad..lol. I had embellishments all over the place in lots of different boxes and always knew where they were. Then I tidied and put all the embellishments into a few large boxes....and suddenly I couldn't find a thing. Even my backing card was so organised it drove me crazy. I think that maybe I'm destined to be a messy crafter and that if people want my stuff, they're going to have to put up with a bit of disorder. Even the cats don't know what to do with themselves..lol
I'm excited that tonight there is Athletics on the tv. They are only on the red button but I have a pile of crafting to do whilst I'm watching. So if you're into the athletics..don't miss them.Friday night used to be a night when I was definitely going to be out...how things change over time..lol..now I'm planning my evening around athletics..lol. If nothing else it costs a lot less.
Well the coffee is calling and I shall have to put my legs up a bit higher. I went flying today and have managed to twist my knee...and of course, it's my 'good' leg. But I'm sure with a little rest, a coffee and a tablet..I'll be fine. I'll be back later with another design team make, so until then..take care and happy crafting.

Decoupage Delights....Panda Days

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful company of Decoupage Delights. This image is from their Wildlife cdrom. I had great fun with this design, I have matted and layered 2 of the matching papers onto some silver linen mirri and added them to a black card. The panda image is only one of three on a sheet..so I could make this card 3 times. I have used some silver peeloffs to edge in different places and finally added some card candi. I think that this card is suitable for anyone. I hope that you will pop over to the Decoupage Delights face book page and take a look at the fabulous cds that are available. It won't be long until the new cd is out...I'm so looking forward to it. From what I've already seen..there are so many images that I could use for my male friends. As I'm sitting here I can hear chaos happening in the kitchen. I dread to think what is happening..lol. A few minutes ago there was a crashing noise and Nosey Norman and Simon came dashing upstairs..and then acted as if they hadn't done anything. I've never seen 2 kittens trying to look as if they were totally innocent..lol. Simon seems to be determined to get outside..but it isn't going to happen any time soon. Bless him he is a little dim. Jumping is not his thing..lol. He is the one cat that can be walking on the worktop and manages to fall off. His ideas work quicker than his brain. As you can tell when you see him fall off things 20 times a day. I started clearing my corner on Monday afternoon and have nearly finished. There was a time yesterday when I wished that I had never started..lol. I was stuck in my chair surrounded by craft goodies, rubbish and about 20 boxes that needed sorting. And I couldn't get out..lol. I worked away for hours and now I have only about 3 boxes that need putting away but I have to say that I'm worn out..lol. When I was clearing I did find the kittens hiding place..I know now where the dog treats disappeared to. Well the coffee is calling and I think that a good dose of caffeine will help. And then I have some work to finish.Legs up today I think. So until next time...take care and happy crafting

JB-Crafting Supplies.....Victorian Sewing Box

Today's creation is a design team make for the wonderful JB-Crafting Supplies. It is a Victorian Sewing box kit from Pinflair. It all folds up into a box and is just so handy for keeping a small repair kit in. I don't know about you but when needed, I can never find a needle and cotton...well I will now have a place. The kit, material and anything else you need is available from Julie at JB-Crafting Supplies. For more details about the box, please pop over to the JB-Crafting Supplies blog.

As you can see it all folds up and has a lid, which means it can sit neatly somewhere on a shelf..just to be got down when you need to make a repair. There is enough room that you could also keep a small pair of sewing scissors in there..they're another thing that you can never find when you need them..lol. I have to admit to having a small scissor fetish..lol. I'm very protective of my scissors..I have paper crafting ones, sewing and needlework ones, kitchen ones and general household ones..and never shall they be used for the wrong job..lol. It's bad I know but it was my Grandmothers insistence that each has a job and they will not be used for the wrong thing. It makes me laugh..I think it was because she did such a lot of sewing..it was a rule that her sewing scissors were never used for anything else.
It's a lovely day here in the mountains..the sun is shining and the sky is blue. I can see the mountains from my chair and all the different shades of green are just beginning to show. I'm in process of waiting for my tablets to kick in and then I'm planning to sort my corner out. As it's the place that I do all my work..we get to a point that you can't move for all the crafting stuff that is piled up. I'm in the middle of sorting all my embellishments out. So I thought to myself that I will get on with it this afternoon. For those of you that know my parlour..you will know the trauma that I'm going to end up with..lol. Tomorrow is down as sort the bathroom out day..the kittens have turned it into a cats playground and I've decided to do it. They have spread tissues everywhere, pulled stuff out of the airing cupboard and generally caused chaos. No more I say..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then when I'm caffeine fuelled, I shall start in my corner. It will end up being a bit of a lucky dip..who knows what I will find..lol. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery....Kick it Up

Here I am again with another creation. This is a design team make for the fabulous Jiggery Makery. I have to admit that this is not the card that I was intending to share..but I'm still in panic mode with my camera. I'm hoping that Sparkle will come along soon and I can only hope that he can sort out whatever is the problem. So I decided to share one of the first ever cards I made for Jiggery Makery. She is called Ginger and I can only wish that my legs were only half as long as hers. I can say that without a doubt that I never look as good as she does, when I'm in the garden. I don't even look that good when I'm not in the garden..lol. I loved the sentiment back then and it still makes me smile. I coloured Ginger using my promarkers and then cut her out. I die cut the plant pots, watering can and leaves and then used my pinflair glue gel to fix them to the card.
I hope that you will pop over to the Jiggery Makery facebook page and take a look at the wonderful creations of the design team. Even if we use the same design..we all come up with something different. Adele...the owner and artist at Jiggery Makery designs the most fabulous ladies...you can always find one that will say what you want.Whether making for men or ladies..you will always find a pin up girl to suit.
I'm hoping that this weekend will be a sewing one. I have cut out the pieces for a patchwork panel and will share it with you..hopefully the camera will let me.
Well the coffee is calling yet again and I definitely need some caffeine..if only to stop me going into meltdown mode about the camera..lol. So until next time take care and happy crafting

Left of Center...New Challenge

Todays creations are design team makes for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge has just begun using the theme of 'Real or Faux Stitching.The challenge will run for the next week. The card above is from one of our sponsors...Star Stapz..it reminds me so much of the artwork that Henry loved. The plaque below is from our other sponsor All Dressed Up.I do hope that you will pop over to the challenge blog and take a look at all the fabulous creations made by the other members of the design team.

As I've said we were lucky to have two sponsors this week. They are both very different in style..so between the two, you would have any crafting need covered.

The sun is shining again here in the mountains but goodness me it's chilly. All is quiet at the moment..everyone is asleep.Yesterday I decided to brush the stairs and Storming Norman helped the whole time. He was one step above me the whole time and managed to cause chaos..lol. Everytime I brushed a pile together, he pawed a pile into the air. He had a great time, chasing the brush, rolling around on the step and generally just getting in the way. I'm sure it took twice as long as it should have. The postman was laughing this morning..I was trying to speak to him through the window and Simon thought he would exit the window to the studio roof..my language was so bad, the postman laughed all the way to his van. Simon is now lay with his big uncle Jeffrey..just looking as if butter wouldn't melt. I wonder what you make of the fact that there is now 3 craft channels on the tv. Create and Craft, The Craft Channel and Hochanda. I seem to spend my day flicking between them all. The prices on some never cease to amaze me. And they all say..it's a must have..lol. It might be but I know a lot of us have only a little money to spend...so what we do actually buy has to seem good value for money or something we really need. With my die cuts I think about it for a while..I need to know that it is something that either fits in with what I already have or something that will bring a new look to what I already have. So far this year the only thing I have purchased has been glue..lol and I'm forever running out of that. Well the coffee is calling and then I have to sort a problem out. My camera is having a moment. For some reason it is just not reading my card. It's all very well but I've got to photograph some more work..please keep your fingers crossed for me. I could do without that going wrong. So until later...take care and happy crafting.

SLS Lines....Exciting News

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful SLS Lines. Yes that's my exciting news...I'm now a member of this fantastic team. I'm just so chuffed for the chance to be on this team. I have loved their artwork for so long and feel so lucky...I have been doing a happy dance for a few days now..lol.

On the 10th of every month, I will be sharing a new release with you all,,,,and then on the 20th I will be sharing the start of a new challenge that will begin on the SLSLines blog. As well once a month I will showcase one of my favourites from the SLS Lines store. Just getting to know that I get to work with this fantastic art work gives me a happy feeling..lol. For this card, I began by creating the background. I stamped some music bars and notes in gold on a black card. I then coloured the dancing couple with my promarkers and cut them out. I thought that they were so much fun. The day of the dead theme seems to be everywhere I look lately and I have to say that SLS is one source that does it really well. The weather seems to be mirroring my mood today...the sun is actually shining..lol. Even the sky is a bright blue.I think that the cats are in shock...most of them stood and stared before dashing out to play. But don't think for a moment that it's quiet here in the cottage. The kittens are on their morning chaos..from the sound of it they are destroying the bathroom again...as only they can. Well the coffee is calling and then I have some cutting to do, ready to do some sewing at the weekend.I started cutting out last night and need to finish. I'm going to do some patchwork blocks and will be sharing them with you next week. At the moment,my head is full of so many ideas..I can't keep up with myself..lol. I'm now off for a caffeine hit and maybe a piece of cake..lol...so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Decoupage Delights....The Thinking Tiger

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful company of Decoupage Delights. I did promise that this week I would step away from pink bows..lol. For the last few weeks, I have concentrated on vintage ladies...and I have to say..have loved every minute of being involved with ribbons, pearls and lace. But for this week I decided to work with this fabulous image of a tiger. What I found amazing is that at first I thought that this was a photograph...but no it's an actual painting. I don't know why I haven't worked with this before...I love it. What struck me with this image is that the way that the tiger is draped over the log...I see this expression and pose every day with one of my cats. I have a large bolster cushion and the cats seem to drape themselves over it...in the same way as this tiger has draped himself over the log.
To make this card, I first decoupaged the tiger and then picked this backing paper from the bonus papers. I mounted the backing paper onto some mirri and then on to the card. I added the tiger and then created a border using some mirri and a thin strip of the backing paper. The card is an 8x8. I finally added the sentiment and some gold card candi. I think that this card would be great for any of my friends...man or woman.
It's still so very cold here in the mountains. At least it's not raining at the moment..let's find things to be grateful for..lol. Most of the cats are in the dog house today...especially the little ones. In the early hours of this morning they knocked my ribbon box down off the shelf and goodness me did they have a good time.Reels of ribbon were carried around the house and ribbon bows were sprinkled all over the parlour and the landing...I have to say that it was a very colourful morning what with the ribbons and my language. As I was ranting, the three of them sat there looking as if butter wouldn't melt.All looking so cute and big eyed..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then I'll be off to work on some design team makes. I have some exciting news tomorrow..it will all be revealed on the blog..lol. I have also been looking through some old craft magazines from the 1960s and have found a sewing project which I'm going to do. I will be sharing that with you over the next few weeks. I'm so excited...you may have to slap me..lol. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

A 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...Anything goes with an option of Spring. The challenge will run for the following fortnight, and has been sponsored by the fabulous company of A Day for Daisies. I absolutely adore the images that are available from them and would recommend popping over to take a look. 

I was so lucky to be able to work with this wonderful image of the ducks in the grass. It just made me smile. I enjoyed working with this image. The other members have created some fabulous makes...I do hope that you will pop over and take a look. They are a constant source of inspiration. It's still very cold here in the mountains. Most of the cats are in the parlour, having had a hard morning driving the Sainsburys driver mad as he delivered their cat food. Simon, one of the kittens was in disgrace this morning...and is likely to stay there..lol. He has discovered that there is a top shelf to my unit and has decided that is there he wants to be. It wouldn't be a problem but he is not very good at jumping, so he has decided to claw his way up the curtain to get there. At the moment he is sat on my left elbow...which is really handy when you're trying to type..lol. I would have blogged earlier but it seems as if BT are up to their usual tricks. It couldn't get any slower if it tried. There was a feature in a newspaper about a certain village had the slowest broadband in the country..with a speed of 1.5....all I can say is that here in the mountains we could beat that...we have never been above 0.5...in fact it was quicker when we had the old dial up system. I do hope that it's not going to be like this all week as I've a lot of makes that I would love to share. Well the coffee is calling and then I have to get all my organisation done for the next week. I'm currently working on makes for April and May.I need to keep a list so that I know where I am..lol. With all the tablets I'm on, some days are better than others. I keep some colouring work for days when my legs are not working too well. Then at least I can feel productive on days when I can't move well. I count my blessings every day and know just how much crafting has saved my sanity...not that I had too much to begin with..lol  I'm off for my caffeine hit...so until tomorrow take care and happy crafting.

JB-Crafting Supplies

For today's design team make, I have used this wonderful kit from Pinflair. It is available from Julie at JB-Crafting Supplies...alongside a wonderful selection of fabrics. I am aiming to use this box to keep my rings away from the little furry beasts..who seem to think that emptying my rings from their bowl is the greatest fun. The good thing about this box is when you are not using it..the lid goes on and you are just left with a cube.

As I've said, the kit and material are both available from Julie, along with the special book binding glue which is used to attach everything together. What I would advise getting is a glue spreader..which allows you to be more accurate and save you using too much. The only other thing that you will need is a ruler or a tape that measures in centimetres. The other great thing I love about this kit is that it allows you use whatever fabric you prefer. So many kits come with the material included..which sometimes can be a pattern you are not fond of or something that doesn't go with your own colour scheme. This way if you want it to be purple with black spots..you can have it..the sky is your limit..if you see some fabric you love...just go for it.

It's chilly here in the mountains today. The mountains were white this morning but it looks as if it has all gone now. It seems to be quiet time here at the moment..thank goodness. Because I'm in the middle of sorting everything out..the parlour looks as if it has been stirred with a stick..lol. It makes me tired just looking at it all. I'm so looking forward to the end stage.As I'm sat here I can hear the kittens racing up and down stairs...it sounds a herd of large beasts..lol. They have just raced in and over my computer..I will be getting really loud really soon.
Well the coffee is calling and I think I have the need for a scone.I will have to think what I want for dinner. I have absolutely no idea. Some days are like that..if I lived in a normal place , it might have been a night for a takeaway...but here in the mountains there isn't one for miles.I shall just have to get my head together and have a hunt into my cupboards...you never know what is lurking. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

Gruffies and Guests.....New Challenge

Today's cards are design team makes for the wonderful Gruffies and Guests. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next month. This months challenge has been sponsored by fellow Gruffie Lesley. The theme is flowers, so you can use as many or as few flowers as you like. And of course, as always, you have the option of Anything Goes. The main rule for the challenge is that you must use a House Mouse, Gruffie or Happy Hopper design. But that's not hard...they're all beautiful. The hardest part for me is deciding which image to use...lol

I would like to take the time to thank everyone that joined in with the last challenge...A splash of Orange for Henry. It was so hard to pick my top three..there were all so beautiful. Henry would have loved them all..he loved Ellen's artwork and she was always a wonderful source of inspiration for him. The winner is always chosen by random org and that was Yvonne. And then I picked my top 3  who were Patty, Diane and Yvonne...congratulations ladies.
I hope that you will pop over to the challenge blog and take a look at all the wonderful creations that the design team that have made..and why not join in the fun. Lesley has offered a wonderful prize of a stamp and some embellishments...I wish that I could enter myself...I so enjoyed making these cards.
It's very quiet here in the mountains today...and very cold. I have my feet up (I still wish I could give them away for a couple of weeks..lol) All the cats are quiet..probably recovering from their antics during the night. We haven't had any more snow..most has gone, although we still have some on the tops of the mountains. Some of my friends have had quite a bit and are planning to have some snow fun today. I can remember Henry and I making snow angels in the early hours one morning..it was one of those special moments that stays with you. It was so bright in the moonlight reflected over the snow and the laughter we shared will always stay with me.
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be down to work. I didn't manage to get as much done as I wanted to. So my aim is to finish the design team makes first and then some sewing. I'm hoping that I will get to do some sewing, although I have quite a bit of cutting to do first. We shall have to see. A lot always depends on just how much I get bothered by the tabby terrorists..lol. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery Presents Penelpoe

Hello...I'm back again. This card is a design team make for the fabulous Jiggery Makery. I have decided to use this wonderful digi called Penelope. This card was inspired by an evening scrolling the internet, looking at vintage fashion. I spotted a dress..it was coloured similar to the one I have made.It was a silk dress and had the large leaves, coloured with Autumn colours. I was amazed by the number of dresses that had oversized flowers or leaves..they were fantastic. I know at the moment, there is a passion for all things retro and I have seen some fantastic dresses. It's made me actually want a summer dress..who knows..I may even make one.
I hope you will pop over to the Jiggery Makery facebook page and take a look at the fabulous makes created by the other members of the design team. And to see the full collection of digital beauties..pop over to Etsy.
Well the coffee is calling and I definitely need a caffeine hit. I've got of work to do and my legs are singing a little song all of their own. I've tried taking more painkillers but that's not helping. I suppose everyone has days like this. I managed to sort the frames out that had arrived. About half of them are either put by for some people or have gone ready for the village Easter Fair.I do hope that we manage to raise some more funds for the memorial fund. After I've had a coffee I'm hoping to finish some more design team makes that I'm half way through. So it may be a long night. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

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

Today's canvas is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next week. The theme for this week is big eyes. You can of course go LOC..all details of that can be found on the LOC blog. I do hope that you will pop over to the blog and take a look at all the creations that the other members of the team have made. There is some amazing work and I always find the ladies to be a constant source of inspiration. And why not join in the fun yourself?

We are so lucky to have been sponsored by the fantastic team over at The Oddball Art Stamps. If you are looking for something a little different, it's the perfect place to visit. There are fabulous images and of course I just had to choose the coffee fixation one.You all know me and my caffeine addiction..lol

I woke up this morning to snow...not a lot but the world was white.It has shocked the cats. It always makes me laugh to watch the cats trying to get from A to B without their paws touching the snow. At the moment it's raining..nothing new there but it's still cold. As I glance around the parlour, all I can see is sleeping little furry bodies. It's so quiet...I just wish they were this quiet in the middle of the night. For the third night in a row, I've been found sitting in a chair having a warm drink, waiting for the tabby terrorists to lie down and shut up..lol. It seems to me that 3.30 a.m. is their best time to play..but goodness me ...the noise they make. You would think that a herd of beasts were charging around. I do indulge my cats a little..lol...but the middle of the night is not the time for play. My poor legs feel as if they've done a marathon...they need a good sleep.
Well the coffee is calling and Sparkle has just arrived...so the kettle will be going on. I've made my list of work for the weekend..I'm hoping that the sewing machine will be coming out. And I'm hoping to get some more sorting out done..my glitters are all over the place..I'm hoping to make some sort of glitter station..a place where they can all live...the dry, the wet, the stickles..all in one place. My friend Pretty cannot believe just how many colours I have..my answer..well you never know...lol I will be back later with another design team make..so until then...take care and happy crafting.