Flying Free

What is that well used phrase..the best laid plans..lol. Between feeling ill, bad internet connection and cats going walkabout...my plans for blogging daily went out of the window. For quite a few days I've had a horrendous pain but thankfully now it seems to be going. And I can only hope that it doesn't return. And as for the internet connection...well this last episode has been the end and I've decided to leave BT very soon. I'm thinking of trying Plusnet...yes I know that they are really BT in disguise but I've looked into it and they're a lot cheaper, have British call centres and they seem to be honest. For years BT have been telling me that I have over 8 speed. Never in my life have I ever been over 1.5 and most of the time I'm only 0.2..well plusnet admitted that at the moment I'm not going to be over 2 and mostly 1...now if they are part of BT and know this is the truth why on earth can't BT be honest.
My final moment of chaos was Gannie. He had discovered that his Mother was at the bottom of the village. I didn't mind this as he always came home but then all of a sudden he didn't and there was no word of him. Then I put the calls out around the village and kept getting messages that he had been seen but was very nervous. My friend the pa emailed her friend in the lower village and they said that he had been visiting Buster. So it was decided that I would go down on Saturday. Sparkle took me in the van and what a way to have to introduce yourself to new people...please excuse me whilst I sit on your steps and wait for my cat..lol. Busters Dad said they hadn't seen him for a couple of hours..so I decided to call him..and those that know me will accept that a voice of an angel I don't have..lol. Within a couple of seconds I said to Sparkle I think I can hear him and blow me Sparkle said here he comes. He sauntered along the road..talking as only Gannie can and promptly took himself under Sparkles van. And there he stayed...rolling and chirruping away. I had some food which I put down and there he came. I got hold of him and put him in a cat box before he had time to blink. He is now in a cat pen and is protesting most loudly. It turns out that he has been attacked which is probably why he didn't come home..I think that he had gotten himself so scared. He has had his wounds cleaned and checked over and now will have to be penned for a couple of weeks before he has to visit the vets for that most delicate of operations. I've decided that Simon will be having the same op and the same time...that way they can hate me together..lol. What I have also discovered is that Gannie had found himself a little fan club of ladies who had been feeding him..he was obviously visiting them all and getting about 8 breakfasts a day. He is complaining a little that his breakfast quantity has gone down since he came home..but he can just get on with it. At the moment he is fast asleep and quiet...thank goodness..between him and Twinkle..it's quite a noisy house..lol
The piece of work today is a canvas that I have made in the last fortnight. It features stamps from Clarity. I drew the hand shapes and then stamped them over with flower shapes and coloured them with my pencils. In the sky it has the words..flying free...which I created with peeloff waste..lots and lots of tiny flecks of gold. You should be able to see it properly if you enlarge the image. The butterflies are also from Clarity and have been decoupaged up. This entire thing was made on an A4 canvas and the background was created using both acrylic paint and H20s. As soon as it was finished it happily went to a new home. I would like to thank one of my followers who I consider to be a friend for the beautiful card that she sent to me. This lady has encouraged me so much during my blogger journey. With these terrible days of horror in our world, we all have to be strong and my blog has made me so aware that no matter what the press and others have to say..there are still wonderful people out there and I have faith that goodness will win out.
Well the coffee is calling and then I'm going to try and do some work. With the pain and the heat... I'm going to take it slowly...mind you I don't think that I've ever had any other speed..lol. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

A mandala for summer

Today's card is one I made using  only Clarity stamps. I was feeling a bit summery and the weather made me think of the mandalas that the hippies wore in the 60's..so I went with the flow and created this card. I used an ivy stamp and a carnation stamp, stamping both a number of times and then coloured the images with my pencils. I then mounted them onto a card and created the middle. Groovy baby..lol.
As I'm sat here I'm thinking that I'm worn out...what a day and it's not over yet. It was delivery day today and I seem to have turned into a greengrocers. There is fruit coming out of my ears..hopefully it won't all ripen together..I've got peaches, apricots, nectarines and bananas. What I would like to know is what on each has happened to peaches. I can remember them as a child and they were huge and juicy and they would quickly ripen to a perfect fruit. In the last few years when I have bought peaches they have been hard bullets that don't ripen but just go bad. Now all of a sudden we have what they are calling donut or flat peaches..depending where you buy them depends what they are called. I had some a couple of weeks ago and for the first time in a decade they ripened and actually tasted wonderful..so I have just bought some more..but what has been going on and why are the consumers the last to know. 
And to add to all today..the fridge resembles a jenga game..lol. I didn't realise just how much you can balance onto a cabbage. There is officially no spare space in my fridge. The onions are just going to have to fight their own battles in the fruit basket..lol It's days like this that I wish I had an old fashioned pantry..cool and shady with plenty of space for your onions and root vegetables. In the houses I grew up in and also visited they all had pantries..some larger than my parlour today. I can remember the slate shelves and the bins for potatoes and root vegetables.There was always a bowl of eggs just waiting to be used and all the baking ingredients in their own bins.
As I'm writing this the computer keeps moving and it's Raven that is causing the problem. She has decided that she is not moving from me just in case I should decide to open the packet of crisps that are by my side. I was going to have them with my lunch but decided to have them later. Well Raven is crisp obsessed...the quickest way to get her is to shake a packet and she will come running. She is the same with wotsits..and is rather embarrassing as she can eat them quicker than a human...so goodness help anyone with a packet..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then I should do some work. I hope that the weather is being kind to you..the sun has fought it's way through and the mountains are looking at their best. So until tomorrow...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. My one remaining design team. I have been so lucky t work with many wonderful teams and fabulous designers. Today's card is from the wonderful artwork collection at A Day for Daisies . To me there is something so beautiful about the designs. As you all know I do have a passion for witches..as my parlour ceiling reveals...currently there are 6 flying around and 1 Irish fairy. There is another waiting to be returned..she fell down and donked a cat..Sprout thought that the sky was really falling..lol. I love it when it is windy and they really do look like they are flying in all different directions. Anyway back to today's design. She is called the Little Crow Witch. I loved the way that her little crow and her are looking at each other..are they daring each other to give this flying lark a go ? The background is made using Brushos and Pixie Powders..I love mixing the two and seeing what effects I can get. I have used my pencils to colour the witch. I'm thinking that she will be soon adorning the parlour wall.

The weather here today is trying to be fine but goodness knows how long it will last. According to what I have read the weather is supposed to be turning very hot...if that happens then the fan will be making it's appearance on my table..and that is guaranteed to drive the cats crazy..lol. If my table is clear they all think that it should be theirs..there is a certain spot that I call the ignorant spot..and if they can't get their own way over something..they sit in this certain spot so I can't see who I'm talking to. At this very moment Jeffrey is lay to my left..eyes closed and all stretched out and goodness me ..he takes up a lot of space.
I have to share with you the one thing that is slowly driving me insane..the letter o on the computer is not working properly and I have to tap it at least 3 times to get it to work. There seems to be nothing causing the problem..no cat biscuit remnants under the key..lol..it just continues to drive me mad. Sometimes I can be typing away, not really thinking about it and look back and realise that there are no os anywhere. There have been a few times when I've felt like slinging the computer out of the window..lol...mind you sometimes when I get an ignorant person talking to me through the window, I often feel like throwing something at them. There was man the other day who insisted talking to me as if I was thick..he nearly got it..but I held back..his wife nearly got it for patting me on the head when I was out in the wheelchair..so perhaps it's just something they do as a family..drive other people insane..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then I'll be doing some more painting.So if you hear about some madly coloured cats in Wales..you know they will be here. Nothing attracts them more than wet paint..lol. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

Time to return

Hello everyone..I hope that you are all well and will forgive me for going absent for such a while. Thank you all so much for all the messages, emails and notes...it has meant so much to me to realize how much you have enjoyed my blog. I felt that everything was changing..with most of my design teams closing and everything else that was going on..I just needed some time to think about what I needed and where I wanted to be. I can't say that I've managed to reach any fantastic conclusion but have realized that crafting is such a huge part of my life..I don't want to give it up and I also love to share what I do..so here I am back again on my journey...and hopefully you'll join me.
And now for my first make on my journey. The card above was one I made for a Clarity Worldwide Challenge on facebook. Even when I was supposed to be having a break..the need to craft often crept in. The challenge was in March and the theme was 'A man's world'. I began by thinking about what to do and remembered an elderly Uncle who had a thing for kipper ties. And the more I thought about it..the more I giggled and then just had to make a card that featured them..lol. I have to admit that my Uncle had some really risky ones but even I thought that they would be going a little far..even for me. So I made the ties using some of my Clarity stamps which was the rule of the challenge and I was so amazed when I won. I was so excited you would have laughed at me doing a happy chair dance..lol

I am so happy that today the sun is trying to shine here in the mountains today. We have had quite a few days of torrential rain, with the wind blowing a hooley. And I have had to live with a cottage full of sulking cats..lol. They all seem to blame me when the weather is anything but perfect. Most of them are outside today..in fact the only ones that are in are Tank and Nicademus. I have a collection of cuddly bears on the couch and Nicademus has made himself a nest among them. It can come as quite a shock to anyone sitting on the couch when he suddenly decides to move...you can't see him at first because he blends in so well.He has been the cause of quite a few exclamations..lol. Tankie is sat to my left..she has decided that it is her right to be by my side all the time. So far she has managed to get covered in coffee, glitter and acrylic paint but she doesn't seem to mind to much.
Well the coffee is calling and then I will be ding some painting...no doubt I will be sharing it in the next few weeks. Sparkle has just arrived...he must have heard the coffee alarm going off..lol. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting...it's lovely to be back.

The Crafting Musketeers...The Final Challenge

Here I am..the first post of 2017..and I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year and thank you for all your friendship and support during the last year. Things are changing here so fast that I think it's time to bring you all up to speed. I have so enjoyed being a part of many design teams over the past few years and I am quite upset to share that a lot of them are closing down. The Gruffies and Guests closed first and in the last few weeks Left of Center has posted it's final challenge. Today is the final challenge of The Crafting Musketeers. I have so enjoyed working with all these wonderful crafters and have found them all to be a never ending source of inspiration. I can only wish them all the best for the future. So all this has left me with the big question..what am I going to do now. When I began this blog I was a total novice and the whole journey has been a steep learning curve and I have to say that I've loved every moment. With this in mind,I've decided to continue on my journey and see where it takes me..and I hope that you will continue to share this journey with me. The next couple of weeks, I intend to formulate a plan forward..so please bear with me..but the crafting happiness will continue.
So to the final challenge for The Crafting Musketeers. The theme is Party time and will run for the month of January. I chose to make a new year card. If you get the chance, please consider entering a card..the final prize is fantastic. If you are interested, pop over to the Crafting Musketeers blog and check out all the details. The prize is one that I would love..but as a design team member, we're not allowed to..lol..so I hope that one of you will enter for a chance to win.
I can't believe that in 3 days I will be taking down the decorations. I had a lovely quiet Christmas and felt that I was touched by it's magic. A time to remember the happy times and to be thankful for the years that I got to share with Henry.I am so blessed for my friends who visited and helped make the time extra special. All the cats had a fabulous time..they are definitely rounder than normal..it was amazing the amount of treats that they received. I am having to hide the Dreamies though..too many sends them all loopie..lol. I was so impressed that they didn't tackle the tree..it remains a thing of beauty..for the first year ever. I was so used to having to wire it to a wall and to lie in bed listening to the ping and smash of the baubles hitting the floor..but not this year. At the moment most of the furry beasts are outside enjoying a dry day. I feel as if I should get some paint out..just to tease them but I have some work to do.
Well the coffee is calling and then I must try and get my head together. I have had a scrapbook ordered and as of this moment..not a clue where I'm going with it..lol. A couple of days thought and planning will hopefully get me there. So until next time..take care and happy crafting

A Snowflakes Promise....New Challenge

Today's cards are design team makes for the wonderful team over at A Snowflakes Promise. I should have blogged yesterday but BT wouldn't let me.The internet connection was flashing on and off more than a set of disco lights..so I finally gave up. But anyway..onwards and upwards..lol. A new challenge has just begun and as always has a winter theme.This will be our last challenge of 2016..challenges will begin again on the 10th January. I have so loved seeing all the fabulous creations entered into our challenges..there has been so much fabulous work.

Our sponsors for this challenge is the fabulous team over at Limited Runs. I chose to work with this oh so cute juggling snowman. I decided to make two cards..the only difference being the colours that I've used. Depending what your own choice of Christmas colours are, this is a perfect image to use them.

So the tree is still up and I can't quite believe it but the cats have left it alone for the first time in my Christmas history. They sit by it and look at it but there has been no climbing or pulling off of decorations. Because it's all white, I'm sure that they are all just waiting for that photo opportunity..lol. They're all in and out like yo-yos at the moment..the sky is blue and there's no rain..so they're all making the most of it. In between the comings and goings, they've already caused all my pencils to end up on the floor, a stack of paper to slide and several ink pads to go on a trip off the table..such is the life of a crafter who has cat help..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and then I have to finish a set of cards. The person who the cards are for is coming to check them out before I add the final touches. I have to admit I shall be glad when they're all finished..they will be the last for other people..then I can add the finishing touches to my own. I treated myself to some Christmas bedding..it's red and white with reindeer on it and looks really cosy..I will be putting it on the bed next week, once I've washed my bedspread..it's a large fur one and is really warm..so it means that the cats can lie on it without lying on my new reindeer set. After all I would like it to be my special Christmas thing. So, with that in thought and work still waiting.. until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center...New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next fortnight. The theme for this challenge is Fantasy Christmas. As always you have the option of going LOC..for all details about that, please check out the LOC blog.

 We are so lucky to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Morgans Artworld. I just adore working with their designs. I think that I have a bit of a thing for detail and love being able to take my time. For my card..which will be the Christmas card for someone special..I began by stencilling the trees and creating the background. I coloured the image with my inktense pencils and then cut the image out and added it to the background. I finally added some snowflakes.

I haven't been on much as I'm still trying to get everything finished. I've still got some presents to finish and one order that was  late coming in. I am so happy to share that my Christmas tree is up and I loved every minute of setting it up in honour of Henry. The tree is white...so very different from all my other years and has white lights. I have only a few clear crystals on the tree as well. Under the tree is white  and crystal ornaments with candles. The candles are battery operated as there is nothing the cats like better than sniffing flames. There is nothing that says bad Christmas more than the smell of singed hair..lol. I still have the mantlepiece to decorate but I may do that tomorrow. That's also going to be white and crystal with family photos taking pride of place. I've also been so lucky and have been given another white tree which has lights included..so I'm going to have that in the kitchen. The really unusual thing this year is that none of the cats have really bothered with the tree..perhaps it's because there are hardly any dangling bits on it. At least that's what I'm hoping and I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed
Well the coffee is calling and then it'll be back to work.A Christmas film is on the television and at least that will keep me in the festive mood. I hope that all your Christmas preparations are all going well. I have shopping still to do next week and then I should be organised..apart from wrapping, writing Christmas cards and cooking..lol. So until next time..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 challenge is Christmas Colours. I have chose to work with red, green and gold but of course you can use whatever colours are your favourite at this time of year. And of course, as usual, you always have the option of going LOC. For all details about that, please pop over to the LOC blog. In last weeks challenge we had 3 entries that were LOC and they were fab.

We are so lucky this week to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Kenny K. Why not pop over and take a look. There are lots of different styles and you are sure to find one that you love.

 I'm here in the mountains being driven slowly insane by the cats..all wanting to go out and then wanting to come back in because it's so cold. Gannie of course has an awful lot to say because it's quite frosty in places and he still hasn't got the hang of the crunchy stuff..lol. Nicademus keeps going to the window..looking out and then running back to his cat tunnel.  bought the tunnel as a toy for the cats and Nicademus has taken it over. Now he won't let anyone else go into 'his tunnel'. except for Obie who has been his concubine since she was 4 weeks old. She took one look at him and it's been love ever since. It's quite funny to see them both squeezed into the tunnel. At the moment Simon and Raven are wanting to go out..I know if I let them, they'll be back within minutes. I have a feeling that it's going to be one of those days..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then it's back to work.The cats are already twinkling with glitter..lol. and it's nearly time to get it out again. I'm still working on my list and finally I can see an end in sight. That is unless the phone rings again.I may even get to make my own cards sometime this week..lol. So until next time...take care and happy crafting.

The Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the fabulous team over at The Crafting Musketeers. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the coming month. The theme for this challenge is Anything Goes. We are so lucky this month to have been sponsored by the wonderful team over at The Paper Shelter. A new company for me but such beautiful designs..why not pop over and take a look.

Here in the mountains it's quite cold..but at least it's dry. That means that most of the cats are outside making the most of it. They are all getting to accept now that the biggest cat flap in the world (the window..lol.) will be shut early and to get back in they all meow at the window. They are all in at night apart from Jeffrey who still insists in being out. I have a laugh with one of my friends who telephones me and asks about the weather. I have come to describe it by the cats on the bed. So last night was a 3 cat night..not as cold as it has been. Last week we had a 5 cat night..so you can tell how cold it was. He asked why I put up with them..he couldn't understand it..I replied that they're my family and anyway..they're like little hot water bottles that never go cold. It's really cosy all cuddled up. Ever since I was a very little girl, I've always had a couple of animals on my bed..why should it be any different now.
I think that I'm going through a little change. For the first time since Henry passed, I have decided to have a Christmas tree. I could just hear Henry..who loved the whole Christmas experience..wondering why I didn't have any decorations. So for the first time, I've felt like having a bit of a decorate. I couldn't cope with a traditional tree and getting out the family decorations..give me a few years..but have decided to go for a white tree. I have a collection of owls which I'm going to use. I actually bought some white tinsel..just one strand for the mantlepiece..and am going to get my crystals out and have a moment..maybe next weekend. I intend to enjoy the moment and play some carols. And then it will be goodness help me as Gannie and Simon have never seen a Christmas tree..so I can definitely expect some chaos. After all what would be Christmas without a bit of chaos..lol
How are you all getting on with your Christmas preparations. I'm still knee deep in glitter and as fast as I work through my list, the phone keeps ringing with people that need something. At this rate my Christmas cards will be arriving in May..lol
Well the coffee is calling and  then I'll get my head down and shake a little more glitter..lol. No doubt the cats will hear and will have to come in and help..lol. At this time of year they do have a tendency to twinkle as they move..lol. I think that glitter is just in the air at this house. I'll be back tomorrow with another design team make...so until then..take care and happy crafting.

A Snowflakes Promise...New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at A Snowflakes Promise. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next fortnight. The theme for this challenge is Winter..so the perfect place to enter all your fabulous Christmas cards, as well as any other winter inspired pieces of work. I so love seeing all the amazing creations. We are so blessed that the fantastic Rick St. Dennis has sponsored this challenge..and I just loved the image I've been lucky enough to work with. To know more about Rick and the different images that the team used, please check out the Snowflakes Promise blog. Over at Ricks shop you are guaranteed to find an image that you will love..I always have such a time trying to decide what to work with.

Here in the mountains it's a very cold day..most of the cats are in and out like yo yos. I don't think that Gannie has stopped complaining since he got up..lol. He really doesn't understand or like the frost. Everywhere was covered with frost this morning and there are still places that haven't defrosted in days. Sprout has turned into a little homebody and has been sat on the wing of my chair all day. It was delivery today for the cat food and I felt so sorry for the delivery driver. They all sat around and watched his every move. And they got quite a surprise...Tesco had sent a Christmas cracker containing cat treats. It seems that it something they are doing for cat and dog owners online. How nice a surprise....I have had to put it away as it didn't take long for Milky to realise that there was something catty inside..lol. The delivery driver was lovely as well and was quite taken with Jeffrey..he just couldn't believe the size of him and how friendly the rest of the cats were. I had to ask him to check the van for any nosey cats though..it's always better to be on the safe side...I don't any of them going on any trips out of the village without me..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and then I have a birthday card to make..it will make a nice change for an hour. It's my favourite dinner again tonight..fish, salad and potatoes...everyone usually has something that never gets old and always is enjoyable..and I'm afraid that tonight's dinner is my go to comfort food. My other comfort foods are shepherds pie, fish pie and roast lamb dinner. They all seem to be all old fashioned dinners. They were all meals that my Grandmother made and I suppose that's part of their appeal.Anyway, I'm off to decide on an image for the birthday card..so until next time...take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center.....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the coming week. The theme for this weeks challenge is Fair Maidens. As always you have the option of going LOC...for details about that please check out the Left of Center blog. We are so lucky this week to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at MoonFlower designs. I chose to work with ths beautiful image of an Oriental maiden. The background was created using my distress inks and a stamp. The image was coloured with my H2Os..and even though it doesn't show in the photo has a lovely shimmer to it. I do hope that you will pop over to  MoonFlower Designs and take a look at the beautiful and unusual images that they have available.

I got quite a shock today when I came onto Blogger..it had all changed and I've still got to take some time and work it all out. And you all know that computers aren't really my thing. Ever since I began this blog, t has been a learning journey and I'm so glad to say I still love it. I haven't been blogging much in the last couple of weeks purely because I've been knee deep in paint, glitter, snowmen and holly. I'm trying to get all my Christmas makes finished...but there seems to be no end to it all..lol.My own Christmas cards are slipping further down the list as people keep ringing for other things. I have the feeling that I may be all glittered out by Christmas. That will probably not last for long though..you know how much I love the coloured stuff..lol.
It's certainly got colder here in the mountains. The cats are all out at the moment..making the most of it being dry. They are all in come dinner time and the biggest cat flap in the world is now closed after 6 p.m. And they are all horrified by the fact. Gannie has been shocked by quite a few things lately..especially the frost. Being one of the youngest he had never seen white frost before and goodness me but he had a lot to say about it..lol. The first time he went out and saw it and put his paw on it..he ran back to the window sill and spent half an hour telling me. He then spent the rest of the day going in and out checking to see if it had gone. Goodness only knows what he will be like f it snows..lol. Sparkle and I were talking, remembering the first time that Icabod saw snow...it was so funny..he was trying to get from one side of the road to the other without touching any snow. He would take a giant leap and then disappear in the snow..only to reappear and leap again. When he finally made it home , there was no going out for him until the white stuff had all gone..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be back to the paint. I've about 10 projects all on the go and all at various stages..so whilst one is drying, it means I can continue on another. The hardest thing is keeping the cat paws out of the wet paint. I'm sure that word gets out and they all come running. My work table is becoming a beautiful rainbow of paw prints..I may let it sit though and put a layer of varnish over it..a one off piece of art..lol. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next week. The theme for the challenge is Creepmas/ Christmas. And of course, as always, you have the option of going LOC. Our sponsor for this challenge is the fantastic Karleigh Sue. This card is inspired by the non pc 1970s..I have been watching some 70s based videos and can't quite believe what we considered ok or funny back then. Even though some of it just seems wrong a lot was really funny and seemed to be a lot freer..before the world went over the top pc. The backing paper is also 70s inspired..bold design and bright colours..I just love it.

I hope that you will pop over to the LOC blog and take a look at all the wonderful creations made by the rest of the team. I'm always inspired by all the other ladies..they always put me to shame but inspire me to go further and try harder,

What a week. I am amazed that I have managed to find myself a way out of the glitter, ink and card pile. I have been ensconced in my corner beavering away. Yesterday I couldn't move..I had so many projects around me drying..the cats spent the day driving me insane. As soon as the paint palette comes out the cats arrive around me. My table is becoming beautifully coloured by paint and paw prints. Even though I have kept working all last week ...my list of things to do doesn't seem to be going down..lol. My Christmas cards seem to be heading further away...I'm trying to finish all the things for other people before I start my own..but the phone keeps ringing. It's as if the rest of the world has just noticed that Christmas is coming soon. I may end up white haired by the time it arrives..lol At the moment all the cats are outside...no doubt causing chaos around the village. I had to smile yesterday..Sparkle went for lunch with his son and his Grandchildren and I just had to smile. His little grand daughter had painted his nails. Sunshine will love this..when he came round his nails were pink and sparkling..such a good look on him..lol. I wish I had taken a photo now. Well the coffee is calling and then it will be back to the grind..lol. I'm really loving every moment but just wish that I had more hours in the day. I shall hit the caffeine and then back to the glitter. 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. For all details of the challenge, please check out the Snowflakes Promise blog. I so enjoy seeing all the wonderful entries at every challenge..I hope that you will have a look..there is always some wonderful inspiration created by some very talented crafters.
Our sponsor for this challenge is the fantastic team over at All Dressed Up. I just love working with their images..there is something so cute and whimsical about them.

I've spent most of the day trying to get online...yet again. The joys of living in the middle of nowhere though are still wonderful..despite BT giving the village a continuing headache. The clouds have been down all day but the weather forecast for the end of the week is telling of cold weather coming. I may have to finally give in and put the electric blanket on the bed..the cats will love that moment..lol. No doubt it will turn into a tussle to be able to get into bed.
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be time to go down and do the prep ready for dinner. I admit to being very boring and every week I have to have my favourite meal. It's fish, new potatoes and salad...to me it never gets boring.I think that if it was just me..I could have it every night..well perhaps a fish pie every so often..just for a little variety...lol. So until next time...take care and happy crafting.

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

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of center Creative Challenges. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next week. The theme for this challenge is 'Inspired by...'..so a great chance to let your imaginations run wild. Our sponsor for ths challenge is the fabulous team over at Alicia Bel.

yet again I had a weekend with very little internet connection. It seems to be getting to be a regular occurrence..but what can you do. With this in mind I worked my little fingers until they hurt..colouring a huge pile of designs...and I still have a pile to work through.

I had a lovely surprise on Friday night. I had visitors..Pretty and his girlfriend...I will have to find her a name on the blog.It was so lovely to see them and the cats were made up to have so much fuss. Raven was the funniest..she has always had a thing for Pretty..and goodness me ..you could tell how she had missed him. No sense out of her all evening...she was only interested in Pretty.lol. And Nicademus was very taken with the lady...he seemed to think that he was in the perfect place and wouldn't share his space with anyone.It was such a nice night..catching up with all the news. I have to say the next day I had a room full of cats who thought that they were hard done to because I didn't spend all my time giving them attention.You can tell that the weather is getting colder..just by the number of cats that are on the bed when I go. I think that they are all waiting for the electric blanket to go on..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be back to work. I have a feeling that the glitter may be on it's way out..lol. I had been hoping to photograph some new work but it's so dark here in the mountains..the clouds are down..it will have to wait until tomorrow. Of course..the only way to brighten the day is to get the glitter out...it always puts a smile on my face. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Decoupage Delights....Christmas Designs..Day 5

Here I am again, with a design team make for the wonderful Decoupage Delights.  Both the Christmas images are from their fantastic Vintage Christmas 1 and 2 cdrom. I think that I'm having a bit of a bell day today...lol. Both cards have been decoupaged. The first one I have matted and layered and used some backing paper from my stash. The card below I have shared before but I love it so much, it seemed only right to share it again. I have glittered both of the cards..just because I can't resist.

The third card is one from the Decoupage Delights latest cdrom..Those were the days. What a wonderful selection there is on this cd. So many male themed card possibilities  and lots of them are very different from the norm. I particularly love the image of the rowers. What a different type of card for a change. Also contained on this cd are the most amazing backing papers..images of the sea, wood patterns and grass..they are just so useful for any of your crafting. And the price point is fabulous. I hope that you will check out their facebook page and take a look at all the wonderful cds and downloads that they have available.

Well I need another coffee..the first one has disappeared like a flash..so I definitely need more caffeine..lol. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center...New Challenge

Finally..I'm here. After a weekend of fighting with Bt..they have finally decided to let the village onto the internet. They have played with every ones connection and we've all been on and off like yoyos and yet they demand the same money here as they do for people with a full connection. Well that's my moan for the week..lol.

Today's picture 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 weeks challenge is Fairytales and as usual you have the choice of going LOC. For all details of this, please check out the LOC blog. We are so lucky this week to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at A Day for Daisies. I just adore their images and always find it so hard picking which image to work with. I finally decided to work with this image which is called a kiss for my unicorn.

 For this picture, I began by creating a background using my Brushos. I then coloured the image using a mixture of my H2Os, Inktense pencils and my promarkers. I added pearl embellishments using the Imagination crafts..Just Pearls. I was really impressed how easy they are to use. I finally added some glitter..which you know by now I just had to do...lol

The weather here in the mountains is getting colder by the day. Nearly time to get the vests out. The cats love it because it's dry at least and are all out. We had some hail yesterday and that just proved just how quickly the cats can get home when they want to.It was like a cat train coming in through the window. I've had a lot of work come in over the weekend..so I think it's got to the point where I may need to make a list and just work my way down it. I've also had a major sort out..to help with all the work that has come in. The cold weather makes my legs not want to move very far at all..so I needed to ensure that my paints, pens and papers are all close by. Then I can put my legs up and work away. Sorting all that out was a job all on it's own..but I'm really pleased that It's all done.
Well the coffee s calling and then it will be time to get on with some work. Sparkle has gone to hospital to see the consultant who did his operation. I will be on edge until I know what he said. Fingers crossed that everything goes well. I will be back in a bit though with another design team make..so until then...take care and happy crafting