Left of Center...New Challenge

Today's cards are design team makes for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge is just about to begin and will run for the coming week. The theme for this challenge is Quirky or Weird...so that just about sums up most things that I do..lol. As always you have the choice of going LOC. For all details about that, please check out the LOC blog.
For this weeks challenge we have been lucky enough to have been sponsored by the fantastic Bloobel Stamps. I just adore the images and found it so hard to decide on which image to use..so in the end I worked with two..lol. The one above is so understandable for a caffeine head like me and the one below I just loved the details..especially the plant eating her hair..lol. Both images I coloured with my promarkers.

It's been a hectic day here in the mountains.Things have been going in and out of the skip all day. I had the tree trimmed back..it had gone so out of control that it covered the whole patio area...now the patio is clear and nearly ready for the umbrella to go up. It's guaranteed that it will rain for the rest of year as soon as it goes up..lol. The new cottage sign and the village notice board are also going up in the front garden. I have a new sideboard for the parlour...lots to go out..lots to go upstairs and lots to do down and out to the skip..the whole thought is very exciting. A new armchair is coming in for the parlour as well. I won't know myself by the time it's all finished. Hopefully by the next weekend my bedroom will be done as well. Fingers crossed. The cats are still not walking on the new carpet..they all still come in through the window and go round the edge of the room on the furniture and then jump out of the door onto the landing carpet..lol. I know I warned them that if they made a mess I'd make them wear slippers..but I never thought that they'd take me seriously..lol. With all the going on today, they've been back and to all the time. They do like to keep an eye on things.
Well the coffee is calling and then I've got some painting to finish. It seems really strange to be blogging at this time of day but I'm a good girl..well sometimes..and do what I'm asked. I do hope that you will pop over to the LOC blog and take a look at all the fabulous makes that the rest of the team have made. I'm heading for the kettle..so until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery.....A Dress for Every Event

Today's cards are all design team makes for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. I thought that I would share these three dresses with you, as they represent different type outfits made with the Jiggery Makery designs. If you get the chance, please pop over to the facebook page and take a look at all the wonderful designs, all drawn by the owner Adele. I just love playing about with all the designs of the dresses...it always takes me back to being a young girl playing fashion designer with my pens and papers. I remember that all my dresses had an over skirt and always had to have puff sleeves. In reality I loved puff sleeves and always wanted them on my dresses. I will have to try to find a photo of me in one of my dresses...if nothing else it will give you a good giggle..lol

The sun is shining here in the mountains today..so I have been deserted by all the furry ones..lol. I can see 4 of them stretched out on the studio roof. They were all in for breakfast and disappeared as soon as their tummies were full. Simon, as most of you know, has a problem with his vision...he has no peripheral vision so falls off things an awful lot.All the other cats run up the tree to reach the studio roof but this must have caused Simon problems. So now he runs round to the back of the cottage.up onto the roof and jumps down from the main roof of the house to the studio. All you hear is the thud of him landing on the studio roof..lol. This morning he caused absolute chaos in the parlour. He was trying to jump from my chair onto the table..he managed to take out 2 boxes and 2 pots that were full of pens..and still fell off. He doesn't half give me a right look..as if I'm to blame...lol. Nicademus has really taken to the cat tunnel and can be found there asleep most nights.I am tempted to buy them a scratching post..they have been using the banister for nearly 30 years now..each generation has had a go at it..it now looks like a piece of modern art..lol
Things have been happening here. My skip has arrived and is providing pure joy for the village. Before I had put anything in myself..two people asked if they could put two things in and I said yes..after all these same people have done the same for me over the years. Well no sooner had these two things gone in and there was another two people asking if they could have what had just gone in..lol. I've now managed to get some of my things in and on Monday I'll be putting my bedroom stuff in..a new bed for me...I can't wait. I've decided to do it on Monday because I have a huge amount of work to do..so I can enjoy doing that over the weekend and then get down to work on the bedroom. My cleaner is due later so I'm hoping that he will put some more stuff in for me. I'm also going to cut back one of my trees and provide myself with an arch of shade. The sign for the cottage is now finished so that will be going outside, alongside my new gargoyle. I have a huge green man on the front of the cottage..it was a present from a friend many years ago and is an actual cast from one in Bath. It is funny because it is often used as a clue in treasure hunting..lol. I get the strangest people standing in front of my cottage, clutching pieces of paper, getting very excited. It always makes me smile because they always comment on the cats that sit there watching them. I think that the gargoyle will fit in nicely..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and then I should get down to some work. I'm hoping to do a feature for Decoupage Delights running all next week, alongside all my other design team makes..so please watch this space..lol. I've already decided what to do for dinner tonight. We are going to have steak pie with baby new potatoes and cabbage. I do adore cabbage in any form and always have done. I'm already feeling hungry just thinking about it..lol. I may also make some scones. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

A Snowflakes Promise......A 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 2 weeks. The theme for this week is Summer but as always you have the option of entering a Christmas card. I think that I will be concentrating on Christmas cards from September. I so enjoy seeing all the entries and try to comment on quite a few. I hope that you will pop over to the blog and take a look at the wonderful creations made by the rest of the team.
We are lucky that for this challenge to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Star Stampz.

I chose to work with this fabulous image called the book elf. It reminded me of myself when I was younger..lots of times you would find me under the shade of a tree with my dog and I would be reading to her..lol. I don't know what she thought of my stories but she was always with me. I used my Lyra watercolours to colour this image and loved working with all the detail that is contained in the image.
I had every intention of blogging earlier but as always BT were not playing and I couldn't access the internet at all. There were lots of open reach vans in the area but as always they didn't have the decency to let us know that we would be without service..I mean why would they..after all we're only paying for it.But I have to look on the bright side..I'm on now.
It's been raining on and off all day and the cats have been in and out like yoyos again. At the moment I have Rave, Tankie , Jeffrey and Nosey sat to my right...all watching for the weather to change. Everyone has been fed..so they're quiet and happy. Sprout has been in the dog house for taking down all my pen and brush pots in one bad jump. There were pens and brushes flying in all directions.
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be dinner time. My favourite again...fish, new potatoes and salad..I could quite happily have it every night but I think Sparkle may get a bit fed up with it..lol So until next time...take care and happy crafting..

JB Crafting Supplies.....Where a thought can take you

Todays creations are all design team makes for the wonderful JB-Crafting Supplies. Yesterday I decided to make a mixed media piece but got carried away and ended up making four finished projects and a large one which is till a work in progress. The first two makes today are 2 small canvasses that I had painted with my acrylics. I added three layered flowers and used a black peeloffs as stems. I finally stamped a different sentiment on both.

Now the two cards below came about totally by accident. I had painted my flowers using my H2Os, using another piece of paper to keep things tidy. When I had finished painting...I looked at the waste paper and loved the way in which the colours had mixed..so I decided to use it. I used one of my flower stamps and stamped the image onto the waste paper. I then cut them out and created two cards using these flowers.

The weather here in the mountains today is wonderful. Yesterday because it was raining I had a lot of cat help with my painting. Hence one of my armchairs is now covered with multi coloured paw prints..lol. I have to say it has created a wonderful pattern..I shall try and take a photo so that you can see..lol. Today because I'm not painting..all the cats are outside sunning themselves. Nosey is the only one that has remained and he is on the shelves, curled up asleep. The catnip biscuits that arrived in the house last week have had to be hidden in a draw...they even go berserk if they can smell the box..lol. I'm seriously thinking of planting some down the path next year..at least they could have their raptures outside. I do have some hidden in the cupboard downstairs as well, ready to put into some toys I have made..goodness help us all.
Well the coffee is calling and then it should be time to watch Joanna Sheen. It is so nice to see her back on the tv. It's an easy dinner tonight..Cornish Pasty and chips..with mushy peas.I just love them and haven't had them for an absolute age..so it will be a treat tonight. 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. A new challenge is just about to begin and will run for the coming week. The theme for this weeks challenge is LOC..so basically the stranger the better..lol. Seriously though if you need to know what the LOC challenge means...all the details are on the blog.

We are lucky enough to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Shadow Clocksy.

There are some fabulous images available at Shadow Clocksy..so I hope that you will pop over and take a look. I chose to work with this great picture because it reminded me of a lot of some of my favourite music videos and Anime films. I painted the image with a mixture of my H2Os and my Lyra watercolours. The background was painted with my Lyras and then I stamped the ivy with a mixture of distress inks. I painted the roses in orange as a note to Henry and then I stamped the sentiment.
It has been a lovely day..my friend Dotty came on a visit, the weather has been lovely and there was athletics on the tv. Dotty was so surprised not to see many cats when she was here. Normally she is covered in cats when she visits but today because it was sunny, they were all outside. Rave did pop in for a peep and Nosey of course, had to have a look. They have been in for their dinner but have now gone out again. I went for a wheel down to turnaround tree and Nosey, Gannie, Simon, Raven, Tank and milky all came with me. They just love stopping the traffic..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be back to my painting. I'm working on a couple of mixed media pieces..I will be sharing them on Monday...provided that I get them finished..lol. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery.....The perfect dress

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful Jiggery Makery.I just love this design of the lady Victoria. it gives you a fantastic opportunity to design the dress of your dreams. When I was a little girl, if you had given me 10 copies of this design..it would have kept me quiet for days..lol. I loved nothing better than designing fabrics and then colouring them in.When I drew gowns, I always gave them an over skirt as well..to me it was just a way to get an extra layer of colour. For the design above, I used my pens to colour the base of the dress and then created the details with glue and black glitter. I added a pearl to the bottom of the points. And of course she had to have a pair of white evening gloves. I can still remember my Grandmothers collection of evening glove. Some has ruching all the way to the elbow..they were fantastic. I hope that you will pop over to the Jiggery Makery facebook page and take a look at all the fabulous designs that are available.
Yesterday was my day out and I have to say that I'm exhausted. I can't move very well at all today and I don't think that there is an inch of me that doesn't hurt. But I did it and I enjoyed it...so it was worth the bother. I first went for my xray and have to say that the staff at the hospital were fantastic..I did have to get in a slight Barbie pose for the xray but the staff were so kind, I'll get the results in a couple of weeks. Then I was taken to B and M. I was amazed with the size of the place. Surrounded by stuff and goodness me they had packed everything in. I was in shopping heaven..lol. I bought some treats for the cats and lots of stuff for the house..and it was so cheap. I have to say that I have bought a few things to alter which will hopefully end up as presents.
The cats are made up with their presents and have me laugh so much...it was worth the pennies. I first bought them a cat tunnel and today it has been as busy as the Mersey..lol. It makes a crackling noise when they walk along it and that seems to fascinate them. There is a hole in the middle which they pop their heads out of it. It looks so funny when you see a bottom and tail popping out of the end and a head popping out of the hole. It looks like one very strange cat when it's two..lol. I also bought them a laser pointer which ends up creating cat Olympics and some catnip biscuits. The funniest thing was the biscuits. I got one tiny biscuit out for Rave and goodness me she went into a rapture..she was rubbing her head on it for a good 5 minutes and then she was drooling...and that was before she ate it. Jeffrey was also in rapture and to see him playing on the bed made me giggle.
Finally on my mammoth day out, I went to Tesco. Now I know that doesn't sound very exciting..but I hadn't been in a supermarket for about 3 years. Because I do all my shopping online it makes a big difference to actually have a wheel round. My friend pushed the trolley and I just chose what I wanted..lol.By the time I got into the car, I was exhausted and am still feeling it today. Lots of goodies though to play with..both for the cats and myself..and the cupboard has been stocked with lots of things for the coming weeks.
Well the coffee is calling and then I will be getting dinner ready early because there is athletics on later. It's the Anniversary games and my friend the pa will be down there..watching it live. It should be a good night. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

SLS Lines....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful SLS Lines. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the coming month. The theme for this months challenge is 3 or more layers. As always I have a hard time deciding what to play with and I finally decided on this wonderful sun image. As soon as I saw her I thought about my set of tarot cards and thought to myself it would make a wonderful card.I began by painting the sun herself with my H2Os..so she has a wonderful shimmer. I also created a background..a blue sky with sunflowers at the bottom. I mounted this onto another layer onto which I had put the wording and the number. I finally mounted everything onto a piece of black card. The sun herself has 2 layers where I have decoupaged her rays. Altogether there are 5 layers in this piece of work. I'm thinking of putting this onto my art cupboard door. It will help brighten a dark corner.

I hope that you will pop over to the SLS Lines blog and take a look at all the wonderful creations made by the other members of the design team. They are an amazingly  talented bunch and I always continue to be inspired by them. We all share our love of all the SLS lines images. Who can't help but to be happy with all these amazing designs to work with.
Here in the mountains today, I think that the weather is a little confused. It was so hot last night I ended up getting up at 4 a.m and in many ways I'm glad I did. I was witness to the most breath taking view of a thunder and lightening storm. The mountains were back lit by the lightening and the thunder was rolling around the valley. I have always loved to watch the lightening..when I was a little girl I would always be watching and become over awed by the power of nature. At the moment it's very hot here, despite the clouds coming down and covering the view of the mountains. We are officially back into Brigadoon. The cats must feel a difference in the weather..they have all come home and are all stretched out on the studio roof. I'm sure it's because they won't have too far to run if it starts to rain.
So tomorrow is hospital day. I've finally decided what to wear. Not that I have cupboards full of clothes..but I wanted to decided on something cool and also something that won't get in the way when I have my x-rays. I've also got to ensure that I have extra painkillers in my bag because the one thing that my leg and foot don't like is being fiddled with. I'm also hoping to go shopping while I'm out..that will be a novelty as I normally do all my shopping on line. I'll let you know how it all went of Friday.
Well the coffee is calling and then I've still got some projects to finish. I've also got to decided what to make for dinner..I'm thinking something with jacket potatoes. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

SLS Lines...An Inspiration

Today's canvas is a design team make for the wonderful team over at SLS Lines. Every month we are asked to create an inspirational post and this was mine. As you all know by now, I adore my cats..so there was always the chance that I would choose this wonderful image. The story behind this canvas is over on the SLS Lines blog..I hope that you will pop over and have a read. A new challenge is also due to begin tomorrow over at SLS..so I'll be sharing another make for that.

Is it hot enough for you? ..or like me being a woman of a certain age..are you beginning to melt..lol. I'm sat by my window hoping for a little breeze. All the cats apart from Nosey are out sunning themselves. He is back in his box on the couch. I am so excited..my new bed arrived yesterday and is currently in the kitchen, waiting to be taken upstairs. I just can't wait..a new mattress..I won't know myself. During the next week I'm going to remove the old bed and paint the bedroom. Just not in this heat. I was due to go to the hospital today but I'm going on Thursday now. With one of my conditions, I'm not supposed to go out in bright sunshine..so hopefully it will be a little less bright then. In some ways I'm not looking forward to the experience as my leg and foot hate to be fiddled with. So I'm expecting Friday to be overtaken by pain. But I shall keep my head up and take my pills and hope for the best. So lots of exciting things are happening. Half of my kitchen has the new lino down and the carpet for the non working end has also arrived. It's a dark red colour to match the walls and looks fab. I've also got new rugs for the hard traffic areas..or should that be high cat traffic areas..lol. Well the coffee is calling and then I've got some projects to finish. A breeze is blowing through the window and it's lovely. I think I may also have an iced lolly. I hope that wherever you are..that you are coping with and enjoying the heat. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

JB-Crafting Supplies....Birthday Tea Time

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful company of JB-Crafting Supplies. This card uses a stamp set from Hobby Art stamps. For all the details about this card, please pop over to the JB-Crafting Supplies blog. I love creating cards like this because it always reminds me of being a child and all the tea parties that my Grandmother used to host. I can remember the lovely floral dresses of the ladies and the smell of their perfumes. The pretty china on the tables and all the dainty sandwiches and cakes. Now this was one of the few times that the ladies got the chance to dress up and get together. Most of the time they were farmers wives with their own duties on the farm and this was always a chance to catch up. The gentlemen were always together but usually outside discussing the stock. Two items on the table for the men was celery with it's bowl of salt and pickled cucumber. There was always a separate table for the men..usually in a different room where their discussions were helped along with a whisky. The food was of a more substantial variety large sandwichs made with homemade brawn, pressed tongue or a large cooked ham.On the mens table, alongside the celery and pickled cucumber there was nearly always a large bowl of picalilli. I can remember helping my Grandmother making the picalilli and the way it took my breath away with the vinegar and spices.
If there is anything you need or want crafting wise, please pop over and see what Julie at JB-Crafting Supplies has. And don't forget to take a look at all the fabulous material that she has available. If you scroll through the facebook page, you will see some of the projects that she has completed..they are fantastic.
The sun is shining here today in the mountains and all the cats have left home. No doubt they are all sunning themselves somewhere. The only one that is inside is Nosey. I think that he is having a growth spurt as he has spent quite a few days just sleeping and eating. At the moment he is fast asleep in a small box on the couch..if a small box arrives for me, I always put it for the cats. There is nothing that they like better than a good box..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then I've got some research to do on the internet for a friend. It involves memorial stones..so it should be fun. I love a mystery and will enjoy searching for answers. I'll let you know how it goes later. It's my favourite dinner tonight..fish, new potatoes and salad. I swear I could live on it. So until next time...take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center.....New Challenge

 This canvas is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge is due to begin later and will run for the next week. I thought that I had better do it now as for some reason lots of people and cars are arriving in the village and I know that will mean I will lose my internet connection at some point soon. This challenge theme is Skulls, but as always, you have the option of going LOC. For all details of that, please pop over to the LOC blog.

 We are so lucky to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at- Limited Runs. As soon as I saw this mug with the face on, I just had to use it. It reminded me of a mug that I used to have..I can't remember the make but it was a beige colour and had a face molded into the clay of the mud. It was really ugly..in fact they may have been called ugly mugs but I can't be sure. I remember the one that I had has teeth very similar to the Limited Run drawing..it made me smile with the memory...so I just had to use it.

For my canvas I began by creating the background. I used my favourite Starlight metallic paint and painted a piece of grey board. I then stencilled the cobwebs using some black acrylic. I also created the lettering using some black card and a white ink pen. I had already decided to use skulls as the Os. I then added some more skulls...one as a stand for my skull and two caught in the webs. This is a perfect sign for any where in my house...I'm not even vaguely human until at least my third coffee..lol
I've had quite a week this last week and I'm slowly recovering. I had to take my foot to the doctor..well someone has to take charge of it..lol. Consequently I'm off for an xray next week. My foot has suffered over the years and even the doctor put on the paper that it has suffered multiple traumas. So goodness knows what mess they will find. It takes a couple of weeks to get the results but the doctor thinks that I will end up having to take it to a consultant. Things medical wise have come on a long way since my accident so they may well be able to do something. I can't have any more surgery on my leg or foot but you never know what they can do to ease the pain a little.
It's still raining here in the mountains..the mist is coming down and it looks as if it's here to stay. The kitchen flooring...the lino part is down and looks fab. The carpet is going down next weekend. The new washer is in..well it's not new..but it's new to me..and is working fabulously. In a couple of weeks I won't know myself..lol. The cats had better behave..else it will be slippers on for everyone..lol Just the thought of it makes me laugh.
Well the coffee is calling again and then the paints are coming out. It's a homemade 'takeaway' dinner tonight. Pizza and chips. We don't have anything like that very often..so it will be a treat. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery....... A Spanish Feel

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. For the card today, I decided to use the digi of the fabulous Pamela and have a play with the design on the skirt. As you will know, this week I have been playing with paper cutting and thought that I would have a go for her skirt. I copied the shape of her skirt and drew a pattern on it. I then cut out the pattern and coloured it black. I over lay the cut paper over a piece of red card. The top half of the digi, I coloured with my promarkers and then joined the two pieces together. I added a ribbon rose at her waist, alongside some jewels on the waist and some in her hair. I called it 'The Spanish Feel' because when I was a little girl I always thought that Spanish ladies always dressed in red and black..lol. I had been given a Spanish dancer who was in red and black and there was a tapestry picture of a flamenco dancer and she was also in red and black. So it just stayed in my mind. Thinking back, my mother had a picture called the red skirt..of another Spanish dancer. I still have the tapestry picture...it lives on the landing.
I do hope that you will pop over to the Jiggery Makery facebook page and take a look at all the wonderful digital designs, created by Adele, the owner. I just love the variety of pin ups that are available and all the different creations that you can make. There is a lady for anything that you want to convey on your cards.
As I'm sitting here writing this, I'm watching the athletics..one of my favourite things to do and I'm also surrounded by the cats who are sulking because it's raining..lol. The kitchen flooring is in process og going down..I won't know myself when it's all finished. The kittens keep going to the top of the stairs and looking at the builder laying the floor...goodness only knows what they are thinking. Gannie has made himself a nest on one of my shelves..and has moved my books to make himself space. Nosey favours lying on a box on the landing and Simon is always within arm distance of me..lol. Sprout is sat on the window sill..waiting for the rain to stop, Rave is of course on the wing of my chair sulking because I'm blogging and she can't sit on my lap.The only ones outside in the rain are Milky and Jeffrey. Milky just loves getting wet and enjoys shaking all over me when she come in. Jeffrey will moan for a long time when he does come in...but he will do that no matter what the weather..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then I have a couple of cards to make. The only problem is I have no idea at the moment what to do. I'm hoping that my new bed will arrive next week..so no doubt I will have to paint the bedroom..might as well get it done. I'm hoping that I have enough paint to paint it a dark red. I'm hoping to do it dark red with gold highlights..a bit of glamour for my room..mind you if you can see anything other than the books you'll be lucky..lol. I'll be back later with another design team make...so until then...take care and happy crafting.

A Snowflakes Promise....New Challenge

Today's cards are all design team makes for the wonderful group of A Snowflakes Promise. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next fortnight. The theme for this challenge is summer but as always you have the option of going for a Christmas make. As you can see from a couple of my makes..using the moose and the deer..they called out Christmas for me. I had so much fun creating with these wonderful images that I just couldn't stop...as you will see..lol

The sponsor for this challenge and the creator of these fabulous characters is Melonheadz. I do hope that you will pop over and take a look at the hundreds of characters that are available. I think that I may have bought the set just so that I could use the cute deer and moose. They just make me smile. If you pop over to the Snowflakes Promise blog you will see some other characters used by the rest of the team.

The weather here in the mountains today is undecided to say the least. It's quite dark here but it's not raining at the moment. I will no doubt be left with many wet paw prints running over me if it begins. All the cats are outside with only Nicademus asleep in a box that is really too small for him and Rave who is sat on my legs. The kittens who now really are young boys..teenagers nearly with their attitudes..lol...are in and out, making sure that nothings going on that they should know about. With the three of them..it's not just Nosey who lives up to his name..lol. They act rather like a little pack of dogs...running to the door if someone arrives. If it is the evening and they hear someone at the door, they all stand at the top of the stairs until they know who it is.
Well the coffee is calling and then I have some cards to make. I'm quite looking forward to a bit of gentle card making. The flooring in the kitchen is due to go down on Saturday..so I expect that the house will be in an almighty mess until it's all finished.I will let you know how it all goes. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

JB-Crafting Supplies....Papercutting

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful JB-Crafting Supplies. The above picture is my first foray into the world of papercutting. The design itself is one from Paper Panda and when I saw it..I just had to do it. I have never had a go before but I think now I may have found a new love. If there is anything you need..please just get in touch with Julie, over at JB-Crafting Supplies. As well as everything craft based, she has the most delicious variety of materials. She holds workshops and the ladies that attend have created the most wonderful items..just take a look on the facebook page and you will see them. As for papercutting..I'm off and running and in the process of designing my own..I will share it with you when I've finished.
Here in the mountains today it's raining on and off. The cats are all playing yo-yos..going in and out between showers. The mist is sitting over the tops of the mountains but we're not quite a Brigadoon yet..lol. All the cats are in the dog house today....well if I had one, they would be. I got up this morning to a parlour that had been turned into a killing field. Now I know that it's natural for cats to catch birds and mice but I really don't appreciate the remains on my new carpet. Tiny feathers are everywhere and the hoover will be coming out any minute. I have dealt with everything but the tiny feathers and that's a job still to be done. The only ones that I know aren't involved in the chaos are Simon and Rave...they were with me all night. All the others..well they needn't come for a fuss anytime soon..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be time to hoover. I need some caffeine before I start and then I'll get on. It's going to be quiche and roast potatoes for dinner..I shall go downstairs later and get everything ready. Quiche is one of the things that I make quite often..todays will be an onion and mushroom one. I may make two and then for tomorrow we could have quiche and chips...we shall have to see. I'm off now for my caffeine hit...so until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

SLS Lines....New Release Day

Today's creations are design team makes for the great team over at SLS Lines. It's new release day today which means that I got to play with these wonderful new designs. The first is the rock man. As soon as I saw this I knew that I would have to work with it. I created the background using my H2o's to create a light effect. And when I saw the black oval that he is standing in..I thought it would form an O into the words..you rock. What a great card to send to someone who either plays the guitar or just loves rock music. I know so many people that this card would suit.
The next new release is this image of a flapper type dancer. To me it just cried out for the glitter. After all she is making jazz hands..lol. I created the background using my distress inks and a stencil. I coloured the image with my promarkers and added some stickles glitter glue. The really great thing about this image is that you can use whatever colour way you like and suit it to the person that you are sending the card to.

All morning, here in the mountains, the rain has lashed down and the wind has raged. At the moment the sun is trying to shine and the wind has calmed down a bit..but it's still a rather wild sort of day. All the cats are in and have all decided where to lie. Milky and Rave are both on my legs..ignoring each other..lol. Nicademus and Obie are asleep in the window. Gannie is asleep on his rug and the others are just dotted round the cottage. It seems all very peaceful at the moment but goodness only knows how long that will last. Next weekend is going to be chaos and upset all the cats. The new kitchen flooring is going down. I'm having half carpeted and the work area I'm having lino put down. What a joy it will be..but after all the upset with the cats over the parlour carpet..they will really dislike me when the kitchen is done. Personally I can't wait. I'm so excited. I think when you've waited a long time for something and it's finally going to happen..you can't quite believe it. I've also got the bedroom to change round. I have a new bed arriving and I want to decorate at the same time. I'm going to paint it dark red with gold accents. My collection of angel pictures are going to go on the ceiling and surround the bed. I'm aiming for dark and quite gothic..I will share pictures when it's finally done.
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be back to work for me. I hope that you will pop over to the SLSLines blog and take a look at all the other creations of the team. They are an inspirational group of ladies and have created some wonderful work. There is also some time left to enter the current challenge..so why not come and join in the fun. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center.....New Challenge

Todays canvas is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center. A new challenge is just about to begin and will run for the coming week. The theme for this week is Animals and of course as always you have the option of going LOC. For all details about that, please check it out on the LOC blog.



We are so lucky this week to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Delicious Doodles. I just love working with the wonderful images that are available. When the theme for this week was animals, it felt so right to go with a dragon. I painted my image with H2os, because I wanted that mica shine to the scales and to her skin. It has a real shine to it which sadly you can't pick up properly with a camera. Mind you it's so difficult to photograph everything living here..the cottage is so dark due to the thickness of the walls. I keep saying to myself that I'm going to buy one of those special white tents to photograph my makes in...maybe I will later in the year, ready for the winter.

I hope that you will pop over to the LOC blog and take a look at all the fabulous pieces that have been created by the other members of the team. I so love seeing all the pieces that are entered into the challenge..there are some very inspiring crafters out there.
I don't know what has happened this week..it has gone past me in a rush...I've trying to get my head together after a difficult week the week before. But my big girl pants are back on and I've given myself a good talking to..lol. I've counted my blessings and remembered to breathe...which is always good. So now I'll be back on track. I'm still trying to get used to my new carpet..it's just so soft due to the thickness of it and all the underlay. The cats are still trying to walk across the parlour without touching it, Gannie has claimed a corner of the red rug..having marked his corner with a holly leaf. He can be found there at all times of the day and night. What really marks these kittens as different to all my other cats is the fact that they don't seem to sit on the furniture as much as the older ones do. Gannie loves his rug and Nosey and Simon can often be found sat on the top of Twinkles pen. She won't associate with them but will allow them to sit there.
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be time for dinner. It's sweet and sour chicken tonight..all homemade..it's a treat for the weekend. I hope that you all have a good weekend. I will be back tomorrow with some more creations...so until then..take care and happy crafting.