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.

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.

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

The Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge

Todays card is a design team make 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 month is Christmas Wishes..so I hope that you will pop over and join in the fun. There are some fabulous prizes to be won..for all the details of those, please check out the Crafting Musketeers blog. Our sponsor for this month is the great team over at Sunsational Stamps. I got to work with ths cute owl...I decided to do a little of a zentangle on him. The more I do zentangling..the more I want to do. It is one of the things that I find so relaxing..and as Sparkle often says..at least it keeps me quiet..lol

I feel as if I've been working for ever today..lol..and a lot of it has been done in my chair. I got up early and moved some furniture..very slowly I have to admit and then the shopping delivery arrived. The cats were made up as it was their favourite delivery driver who brings them treats and stays to fuss them all. I put all the shopping away..playing fight it into the fridge. I always end up with a packet of tomatoes in my hand saying where are these going to go..lol And then I cam to pay some bills online. That has taken me longer than I can believe. I began at 11.30 and it has taken me until now..2.15, to pay 2 bills. All thanks to BT. I wouldn't have minded but I was trying to pay my phone bill..lol. The internet connection was on and off like a yoyo. I have to admit there was much shouting and I'm always tempted to throw the computer through the window. There is no point at all speaking to them..you might as well just bang your head on a brick wall. At least it's all done now and I can finally get down to work that I enjoy..some crafting.
All the cats are outside apart from Raven..who is as always sat on my legs. I think that my legs will be up for the rest of the day. My right knee is playing up..I don't know what has set it off..perhaps it's the weather. It is very bright here but very cold. The sky is blue and the birds are singing but you definitely need a vest..lol
Well the coffee is calling and after a little caffeine hit..I'll be back with another design team make. So until later..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 please pop over to the Snowflakes Promise blog. Our sponsor for this challenge is the great team over at Bugaboo Stamps. When I saw this sheep, I thought it was perfect for Christmas cards, as I spend most of the time watching the sheep in the fields surrounding the cottage. They just make me smile.

I have to say it seems to seem really strange to not be doing a Halloween creation. I hope that you all had a great time. It was very quiet here in the mountains and made me think back to the days when Henry and his friends got together and trick and treated their way around the village. They used to have a great time...I don't know what the rest of the village made of t. I think that they did enjoy it because some of the elderly ladies used to phone me to make sure that they would call at their cottages.
All the cats are in and out like yoyos..it is drizzling and they don't know what to do with themselves. Raven in particular is running about like a maniac...I always say when she is like this that she has the wind up her tail..lol. I have Jeffrey on the wing of my chair and he looks like he is settled in for the afternoon.
Well the coffee is calling and Sparkle..bless him..has just made me one. I'm off to enjoy a caffeine hit and then I'll be back with another design team make. So until then..take care and happy crafting.

31 Days of Halloween...The final Day..Day 31

Here I am and I can't quite believe that it's Halloween. We made it!. Congratulation to all the other crafters that joined in with the 31 Days Challenge. Todays two pages are made using these wonderful images from Rick St. Dennis. He has featured quite a bit on my challenge but I just love his work. Please don't think that his images are just for Halloween..he has such a selection of beautiful artwork..you will always find something to suit your needs.

I hope that you all have a fabulous evening and that you enjoy every minute. I know that a lot of parties took place over the weekend..and plenty of hangovers to recover from..lol

And for my final image for this challenge...I thought I would share one of my favourite images from Bloobel designs..it sums up in one image how I feel right now..and I'm sure that some of the other 31 days challenge crafters feel the same..lol

Well the coffee is really calling here and Sparkle has just made me one...so I'm off to enjoy it. Thankyou to everyone who has stayed with me over this challenge and it has been so lovely to hear from you all. Tomorrow begins a Christmas countdown..so please stay with me and share in the madness that is my days...so until then..take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center..New Challenge and 31 Days of Halloween..Day 30

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges and is also for Day 30 of the 31 Days Challenge. The challenge for this week s of course Halloween and will run for the coming week. You can as always join in doing an LOC make (for all details please check out the LOC blog)..if Halloween isn't your thing.

Our sponsors for this week is the great team over at Bloobel Designs. Now as you can probably tell I just adore these images and my greatest problem s deciding which one I would like to work with the most. For this challenge I chose to work with this wonderful witch and her cat. It's a bit like looking into a mirror apart from the fact she has a better figure..lol. It's a lot like me and my Raven..lol. I do hope that you will pop over to the Bloobel shop and take a look at all the amazing designs.

I can't quite believe it that the 31 days challenge will be over tomorrow. I have seen such fabulous creations and have loved every minute. I've got lots of ideas for next year..but some of them I will have to plan a little earlier and keep my eye out for some little oddities..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and then I've got some colouring to do. I'm undecided what medium to use yet though. I do admit to wanting to use my pencils but my paints are calling as well. It really depends where the cats are..lol. They tend to help so much where water is concerned. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

31 days of Halloween.....Day 29

Today's page features this fabulous image from Delicious Doodles. I chose this image for day 29 of the 31 days challenge. I've figured out during the last 29 days that I have a little passion for collecting quotes to do with Halloween...lol. It's nice to have them altogether in one place. I coloured the image with my inktense pencils..I just loved the crows..they just make me smile. I often sit here in my window and watch the crows strutting their stuff along the lane. The cats don't know what to make of them...I think that it's the size of them. Jeffrey is terrorised by the magpies. When he was younger, he was attacked by two who pecked his head. Ever since then he only has to hear their noise and he's running back home like the devil is behind him. He then sits in the window shaking..bless him.

I thought that you might to see my latest photo of Colin. This is him curled up with two of his pets..Bertie and Roxie. He obviously can tell the warmest spot..on top of them...lol. You can tell, just in the couple of weeks he's been part of the family just how much his fur is growing..he's just turning in a little bundle of fluff...soon to become a bigger bundle of fluff. To my mind he's lay on top of Bertie because they're the same colour..lol. In my house the cats if they are in a certain mood they lie together in colour range...the black and whites, the blacks and the tabbies.

And finally for today I thought I would share this picture of a Halloween decoration that I made a few years ago but still get out every year. It s my glamorous witch from Jiggery Makery. I thought that it would be nice to share..with love to you all this coming Halloween

Well the coffee is calling and then I'll be getting down to some card making. I got thoroughly multi coloured yesterday with my brushos and inks. I was various shades of blue and green..and so did the cats. Simon in particular seemed to be foot first into everything..it's a really good job that he's not a white cat..lol. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.