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 coming week. The theme for this challenge is 'Bones', but of course you have the option of going LOC. For all the details of that, please check out the LOC blog.

This weeks challenge is being sponsored by the fabulous team over at Lacy Sunshine. I hope that you will find time to pop over to the Lacy Sunshine shop and take a look at all the wonderful images that are available.

I should have been able to blog over the weekend but as usual BT weren't playing fair. You pays your money and get nothing in return. The signal was in and out all the time and I have to say that I gave up and put the computer away. It was either that or throw the whole thing through the window..lol. I did mange to get all my die cutting done..snowflakes,poinsettias,leaves, trees and reindeer..all done. I'm still needing to do some silver bits but are waiting for the silver card to arrive. I do feel a bit like Popeye after all that die cutting..my muscles have certainly had a workout. But I did take it slowly so not to aggravate my hands. Every time my hands began to hurt, I had a little break. So now all the diecuts are separated into their own drawers..the next step will be to put all the poinsettias together and get them glued..that can wait until a slow afternoon. I'm hoping to do some printing done this afternoon..if the printer wants to play. The cats are all sulking because it's raining. The parlour is littered with furry bodies, each in their own little space. From where I'm sat I can see Rave, Nicademus, Sprout, Milky and Simon. Tankie and Gannie are asleep in the airing cupboard. One of these days I will have the door fixed on the cupboard so they can't get in but I've already moved all bedding from there..so the only things left in there not covered is the cat blankets. No matter how I tried to keep them out..they always found a way and I finally gave up trying to keep them off my sheets..so in the end I moved the sheets. I was fed up with washing all the contents of the airing cupboard..lol. Well the coffee is calling and then I'll be off to do some printing. I'll have to get into a Christmas zone and decide what cards to begin with. I'll have to make the stamping or printing option. I'll let you know what I decide tomorrow. So until then..take care and happy crafting,

SLS Lines...A little more inspiration

Today's creation is a design team make for the wonderful team over at SLS Lines. I had bought myself a notebook to keep a track of my bills..a never ending task I have to say..lol. But  when I bought the notebook, I thought to myself that I could decorate it in such a way that it would make me smile every time I looked at it. So I did. I first covered the front with some black card and stencilled some red bubbles onto it. I added some chipboard letters to spell out bills..just in case I should forget the purpose of it.lol. I added some glitter string to the left hand side..because everything needs a little sparkle. I then finally added the amazing piece of art work from SLS..the voodoo king. I coloured the artwork with my promarkers, cut it out and then glued it onto the front. The last thing that I've got to do is to add some adhesive acetate to the front to give it a wipe clean surface..else in my case the artwork will become covered with paw prints..lol.

The sun is trying very hard to shine in between rain showers here in the mountains today. Jeffrey has just arrived in and landed on my lap..with a huge thump I have to say. He is such a big boy. All the others bar Raven are outside chasing leaves by the look of it. Raven has claimed a cushion right by the food table...that way she's not missing a thing.
I've had some very exciting post today. I had two design team parcels delivered and goodness me..the fun I'm going to have.I will be sharing the products with you very soon. I think that I'm most excited about the set of Brushos that has arrived. I have watched them being used on the television and was hoping to get some in the future when I could afford some. Well now I have a set and am aiming to have a play at the weekend..but only if I get my other work completed. This is going to be my diecutting weekend in readiness for Christmas crafting. I'm aiming to fill my boxes with poinsettias,leaves and snowflakes..ready for the season of serious crafting..lol. I would sooner spent 2 days die cutting and have it all ready rather than having to keep stopping and die cutting bit by bit.
Well the coffee is calling and then I'm going to read the instructions for the Brushos. I've decided that we are having chicken,potatoes,vegetables and mushroom sauce for dinner tonight, with sweet and sour tomorrow. I like to be organised in my head for the next few days..thoughts have to squeeze in there around poinsettias and holly leaves,,lol. I'll let you know how it all goes. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

A Snowflakes Promise....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at A Snowflakes Promise. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next fortnight. The theme is Anything Goes with the option of the seasons. I decided to make a Christmas card and used the wonderful Nature Trail from Hobby Art stamps. I love the way that you can make so many different types of cards, just using this one set. The other thing that I liked is that you could in fact use this set all year round..just depending on what colourways you picked to use.

Our sponsor for this challenge is the wonderful team over at Di's Digis, and they have offered a great prize..for all details, please check out the Snowflakes Promise blog.

I have to laugh, whilst trying to type this blog..the cats have done something to the computer and the a button is deciding to play up and it's not until you try to type you realise what problems it can cause. Every two words it seems as if I have to check that the a has appeared.lol. It is Gannie who is to blame..he bounced in through the window and landed straight onto the laptop...and with that he bounced out again. He has been missing Nosey I can tell by all the noise he makes at me in the middle of the night..he cannot work out where his best friend has gone. He does seem to have made friends with a cat from cross the road called Ollie and no doubt they will be heading off into trouble together very soon. I have the awful feeling that it will all be Gannie's fault..even though I did watch Ollie leading the way into his own bathroom window with Gannie following..it was as if Ollie was saying come in here..the humans are all out..lol. Gannie has brought Ollie to the studio roof..I don't think that Ollie's owner won't be too happy with Ollie roughing it over here..lol. I don't know about us being from the wrong side of the tracks..it's more of a case of the roughside of the road. Yet again the cats were chased by a dog..there just seems to be no end to it. I will be getting well known for sounding like a fish wife, if I shout out of the window any more. There is supposed to be a new initiative starting where the police will deal with irresponsible dog owners..we shall have to see how it goes.
Well the coffee is calling and Sparkle has arrived so if I'm lucky I may not have to make it. All the cats are outside in the sunshine. Gannie seems to have brought Ollie's toys home..I shall have to return them later..lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

SLS Lines....A Little Inspiration

Here I am again..with added caffeine..lol. This canvas is a design team make for the wonderful SLS Lines.I chose to work with this wonderful image of the fox shamen...quite appropriate after my previous blog.On SLS we all choose to do an inspiration post and this was my choice. It all began with a memory of walking down a lane when I was little. The trees formed a canopy over my head and the sunshine twinkled through the leaves. It was with this thought in mind that I painted the background of this canvas. I wanted to give the impression of the glow from the forest..so I painted the canvas with my H2Os, using a golden colour in the middle and a green around the edges. I also stencilled leaves over the top using my distress inks. The image itself, I coloured with a mixture of copics and promarkers. As you can see, I love to mix the use of my colouring mediums to get the effect that I want.I finally added the 'beads' which were made using my liquid pearls.

As I've been writing this post, my mind has drifted to how I choose what image to work with. I am always looking for different images that use foxes, owls and of course cats. Those animals seem to be my beginning thought. As I glance round the parlour I can see lots of owls and skulls and witches. In my bedroom...it's angels and rabbits..lol. Isn't it strange what we decide to collect. I think that my collections may well be stranger than most.
The cats are still enjoying the sunshine and haven't been back in yet. I have no doubt that come dinner time they will all appear ...all telling me how hungry they are..lol.I'm watching the triathlon on the tv as I'm writing this..I can't believe how they manage it..I can feel worn out just watching it..lol. A friend of mine has a daughter who has just began competing in triathlons..I can remember her as a baby..and now she is becoming an amazing athlete ..who knows..I my be watching her in a few years time.
Well the coffee is calling again and then I will have to do some more on a project that I'm working on.So until next time..take care and happy crafting. 

Left of Center....New Challenge

Todays canvas is a design team 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 four legged creatures..so it gives you plenty of scope. As always you have the option of going LOC....just remember to check out the rules and the details...they are all on the LOC blog.

We are so lucky this week to have been sponsored by the oh so talented Nikki Burnette. I find it so hard to choose what image to work with. I finally decided on this beautiful image..mainly because of the foxes..I just love them. I painted the canvas with a mixture of paints and pens. I used my promarkers, my lyra watercolours and my H2Os. I love the effects that I can get by mixing the different types of paint and often mix it up. I hope that you will pop over to the Nikki Burnette site and take a look at all the fabulous designs that are available.

I haven't been on the blog this week as I haven't been so well..but I'm hoping that I'm on the other side of it now. I have kept working though..even though I couldn't get round much I can still sit and paint.I think that all the upset over Nosey really took it out of me...I still can't believe it happened and that the horrid man seems to think nothing of it.He hasn't been in touch so no doubt he thinks that it's all done with. I can't believe that he seems to think that it is ok to pay what he likes and not the full bill. My Nosey lost his life because of this mans stupidity and it all seems wrong to me.
Well the coffee is calling and then I will be back with another design team make. The cats are all out in the sunshine. No doubt they will be plying roundabouts around my head shortly..lol. So until later...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 theme for this challenge is Butterflies. We are so lucky to have two sponsors for this challenge..Star Stampz and All Dressed Up. As always, rather than go with the current challenge theme..you have the option of going LOC. For all details about that, please check out the LOC blog.

  My first design is from the wonderful Star Stampz. I just adored this image of the Japanese lady. In the original image (below) she is surrounded by a cherry blossom and I just coloured it as it came...adding some butterflies in the blossom and in her hair. I then had the idea of making my own blossom tree..but using small punched butterflies in shades of pink to form the blossom.

Our second sponsor is the fabulous team over at All Dressed Up.I just loved this delicate image and thought that she would be perfect to be surrounded by butterflies. I coloured her with my promarkers and added her to a card with floral and butterfly borders.

I do hope that you will pop over to the LOC blog and take a look at all the fabulous creations made by the rest of the team.
I must apologise for not blogging this week but I have had a horrible week. One of the boys...young Nosey was killed by a dog in the village by a dog that was not on the lead. The incident was seen by a neighbour who waded in and took poor Nosey to the vets, where sadly nothing could be done. The incident has shaken me to the core. For the past couple of years I have blogged about the number of people who come to the village and think that it is fine to not have their dogs on a lead. I have said about it so many times..last year I had 5 of my cats injured by loose dogs and now poor Nosey has been killed. I did lose my temper and the man said not to worry that he would cover all expenses. But since then he has changed his mind. He is only going to pay part of the bill..so I'm left with the rest. After I had lost my temper he left the village within about 5 minutes. I am so angry I don't know what to do. I had the feeling that he would be funny and he's just lived up to all expectation of everyone. I even told him to pay the vet directly and then he couldn't say that I was just after money..which I wasn't..but I still expect him to pay the entire bill. If it wasn't for his stupidity then my Nosey would be looking forward to a long life. I can only hope that Karma will be visiting in the future.

Here is the picture of Nosey and Simon when they were babies. The only consolation that I have is that Nosey was loved from the day he was born. He was called Nosey because that's what he was. He would run and see who it was at the door and was the first of the kittens to do anything. I can remember him now, curled up with Reg..the pair of them all loved up in the dog basket. Gannie in particular is having a hard time wondering where he is. My friend the PA used to call them Tweedledum and Tweedledee because they would go everywhere together and would often be seen wandering down the lane together.
Well the coffee is calling and then I've got some work to do. I'm so behind because of last week..I just couldn't bring myself to do anything. I have lots to do in the coming week..I'm hoping that keeping busy will help me through everything. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

A Snowflakes Promise.....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at A Snowflakes Promise. This challenge will run for the following fortnight and the theme is Anything Goes.  The sponsor for this challenge is the fantastic team over at a Day for Daisies. I chose to work with this sweet image of the fairy sat on the Christmas lights. I love the idea that a fairy could be sat on a light and that you might not see her because she blended in with the light.
I do hope that you will pop over to the Day for Daisies page and take a look at the really magical images that are there.I have been lucky to work with this sponsor a number of times and have loved them all. I hope that you will also pop over to the Snowflakes Promise blog and take a look at all the fabulous creations made by the rest of the team.

At the moment the mountains are covered slightly with cloud...the main question is ..is it going to come down all the way and turn us into Brigadoon or is it going to float on by. Yesterday, I spent the day not being able to see any of the mountains, the cloud was so low. It's all been going on here...the carpet and lino are now down and my kitchen has now got a floor covering.I still can't believe it..I've waited so long. I'm still in the process of sorting the kitchen out..cleaning cupboards and the like..I'm hoping to get it finished by next week but who knows. I'm doing it little by little and trying not to make my legs hurt so much. I don't know if it's the change in the weather or what but my legs are complaining alot.
All the cats are in and out. For the last few nights I have had my bed hijacked by Jeffrey,Raven and Gannie. They do make me laugh..they all have their own spots and are not for sharing. Jeffrey really doesn't like sharing the quilt...lol..I have to keep reminding him that it's actually mine. The bedroom is half way done. I keep wandering from room to room sorting things out..at all the doorways there are bags with stuff ready to move to another room. I think in another couple of weeks the main rooms will be done. It's just as well really..I have a lot of work to do.
Well the coffee is calling and then I'll be doing some stamping ready for the weekend. I'm aiming to fill a storage box with designs ready to colour. The only thing that I have to remember to do is to note which inkpad I've used..Versafine for watercolouring and Memento for alcohol pens..else I end up in a right mess..lol. I've already decided on dinner tonight and we're going very retro..liver and onions with mashed potatoes and cabbage. To me this meal reminds me of my Grandmother. It was my Grandfathers favourite dinner and he demanded it once a week. My Grandmother never complained because it was a very cheap dinner and it still is. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

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 has just begun and will run for the next week. The theme for this new challenge is 'fiesty ladies'..so you can have a lot of fun with this challenge. My take on being fiesty is a lady that says what she thinks when she wants to..by the same token she may think something but not say it out loud..after all it's all down to her. Both my images were coloured by my promarkers..if you look closely, they are actually 2 different images..it's all in the mouth.

As always, you have the choice of going LOC instead of joining in with the theme. For all details about that..please refer to the main LOC blog. I had every intention of blogging last night when the blog went live but as always BT were not playing. I have a meeting with the director of BT for Wales in a couple of weeks..I'm hoping that they will finally sort out the mess that is the local internet service..after all we have to pay the same amount as everyone else but have the worst connection in the country. So please keep your fingers crossed for me...I will let you know how it all goes.

We are so lucky this week to have been sponsored by the fabulous Oddball Art. If you get the chance I hope that you will pop over and take a look at all the images that are available.
The sun is shining here today in the mountains. It seems such a surprise after the weather that we had yesterday. The mist and the rain took over everything yesterday and I had a house full of sulking cats..lol. Today, they have all left the premises. The builder is laying my new carpet at the other end of the kitchen to the lino. The working end of the kitchen has new lino down and the rest will now have a burgundy and gold carpet down. I won't know myself. Such is my excitement..I have the intention to steam clean the cooker..so think of me. I'm going to new heights..lol. I wonder what the cats will make of yet another carpet. Gannie and Jeffrey have been keeping an eye on the builder...Gannie especially has had a grand time rolling on the carpet..lol.
That time of year has arrived and it will be soon time to seriously think about Christmas cards. Hopefully this year I'm going to be organised..I'm looking at ordering the ink and gems that I'll need. I've spent about 4 hours looking at gems for sale and have made myself go a little cross eyed.I just wonder just how many shades of blue you can buy..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be back to gem time. I hope that wherever you are, the weather is being kind to you and that you have a great weekend. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge

Todays cards are design team makes for the wonderful team over at The Crafting Musketeers. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next month. The theme for this months challenge is 'Back to School'..because I think that there are a lot of parents that need to celebrate this fact. I chose to make two cards..the first one is made from the Joanna Sheen Hollypond Hill cdrom and the second one is from the triple House Mouse cdrom, also from Joanna. I love the rabbit skipping along and as it says..not a care in the world..and I can remember feeling like that when I was little. I was always being told off at school for day dreaming and not paying attention..I have to admit..I was always dreaming..lol. I hope that you will pop over to the Crafting Musketeers challenge and take a look at all the fabulous creations made by the rest of the team.

We are so lucky this month to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Crafty Ribbons. They have such an array of dreamy ribbons and so kindly supplied the design team with some wonderful ribbons to use. If you think ribbons, please pop over to the crafty ribbons website and I can guarantee that you will be spoilt for choice.

As I'm looking out of the window, the mountain is bathed in sunshine...a very rare sight I can tell you. The breeze is quite strong though but it doesn't seem to bother the cats. They are all stretched out on the studio roof..lol. I'm in the mood for hoovering I think..so I'd better go with the flow. I have to say that it's not very often that the mood comes upon me. It will certainly be easier with all the cats outside ...they create holy hell if they're inside...all complaining at me. Gannie in particular seems to tell me off..and he has a very loud voice..lol
Well the coffee is calling  and should I have it before or after. I think after and then I'll have something to look forward to. I also need to sort my work out for the weekend..I think that I may do some heat embossing..it's been a while and that urge has come upon me as well. So until tomorrow..I'm off to do what I've been pondering on. ..take care and happy crafting.

Decoupage Delights...Those were the Days

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful Decoupage Delights. It features this decoupaged image from their latest cd 'Those were the Days'. I have found just so many images on this cd that I want to work with...and they are something just a little different. It was created with men in mind but so many images would work for the ladies as well. This image is called The Game keeper but could easily be a number of different characters. I just love the image of the man and his dogs. As with all Decoupage Delights cds, the amount of decoupage that you do is your own choice. Equally the images work as well with no decoupage added..just in case postage is an issue. The backing paper that I've used is one of the two that are given with this image. There are an amazing amount of backing papers on this cd that will be so useful for all your crafting. I do hope that you will pop over to the Decoupage Delights facebook page and take a look at all the other cds that are available. I will be sharing some cards made with the Vintage Christmas in the next few weeks.
The weather here today in the mountains doesn't know what it wants to do..I am just thankful that it's not raining. The clouds are overhead but hopefully will continue on their way past. The cats are all on the studio roof. Yesterday a dog chased Simon up my path and onto the patio. I got really annoyed because the owner hadn't had his dog on the lead..even though he had the lead in his hand. He thought it was all very funny but I didn't. I'm just so fed up with my cats being chased and scared and some dog owners not caring. I'm sure that they'd have something to say if one of my animals hurt their dogs. I mean it's not as if I don't like dogs..I love them and have some dogs come to my house on a play date. It's dogs that have always had an issue with cats and come to get socialised with them. My cats aren't bothered in the house as they have all grown up with dogs and it's lovely to see them with the dogs. But it seems to me that it's the people that are totally to blame. They let their dogs run wild..I always worry that these dogs might get hit by a car..and what would their owners have to say then. And as far as I can see there is no excuse for the owners not to have them on a lead...I walked  or rather wheeled Reg in my wheelchair and we had some lovely times. When I go out now in my wheelchair, all the cats all come with me. I don't even have to encourage them...they just come along...all of them..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and then I need to sort out my work pile. I have lots of photos to upload and put into their folders ready to share...lets hope that BT are in the mood. I've done so much sorting in the last couple of days..my legs need to have a little rest..so I've got them up and I may do some stamping later. I steam cleaned the carpet yesterday along with all the rugs..so I'm feeling very virtuous...lol. I'm hoping to do some more in the bedroom tomorrow but I don't want to hurt my legs any more..so I'll see how it goes. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.