A lovely surprise

What a great start to a Monday morning...I've got an award from my favourite little crafting lady Holly..thank you so much for thinking of me....and Buddy sends big hugs and kisses for the lovely drawing you did for his birthday.
And hey presto I have just received the same award from Jacqui and Allison. Does this mean I get to display it three times...thanks for thinking of me girls.
The rules for this award:
1. The winner can put the logo on their blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you've nominated.
Now comes the difficult part which 7 out of all you talented folk out there do I choose..well here goes.

• Carol
• Cass
• Enfys
• Heather
• Kerry
• Kirsty
• Lorraine

I am a real up early in the morning gal but I do need a kickstart to get into working mode. Before it was 3 or 4 cups of coffee and sometimes dynamite up me bum but now I just visit Kirsty Wiseman's blog and hey that does the trick. She has a wicked sense of humour and a great take on life so pop over for a lookie and be warned you will be well and truly tickled. It's a beautiful morning here in Aberdeen, my birthday boy is outside chewing on his birthday bone, I am well and truly tickled and kickstarted so off to get some crafty work done. Enjoy your day wherever you are. Love Kath xxxxxx

Birthday Boy

It's Buddy's birthday today .... he's 2 years old - he came to us at 10 weeks old... how time passes....he was such a handful as a puppy eating all the flowers in the garden and digging everywhere but he is obviously growing up and becoming more choosy about what he eats although he does still like to chew on Mum's slippers - have given up on buying new ones because he just abandons the old ones and has to have the new ones and what's a pair of slippers between friends......he has a lovely sweet nature and adores playing with Brodie and Oliver. Buddy loves parcels (must take that off his Mum) but ripping the paper to shreds holds more interest for him than what's inside.

Busy or not had to make him a card and this truly was a quickly thrown together job yesterday - sorry Buds. A special treat for tea tonight birthday boy ..some yummy chicken maybe.

• Images: from Nitwit Collections - Farley and Friends
• Alphabet: Thickers from American Crafts
• Chipboard Heart: Chippies from Woodware

Slow Down Everybody

I am really chasing my tail this week and I have a special request...SLOW DOWN all you mad card producing folk out there. I try to visit everybody on my blog roll and my design mates to catch up with what you are all doing but I am now spending more time oogling over your fabulous creations and leaving comments than I am card making...I think it must be 80% blog hopping and 20% cardmaking.....not good for production. My big problem is that I am such a nosy mare and get distracted by something else on your blog and then end up hopping from one blog to another and get totally lost in it all. Did manage to get all my house cleaning jobs finished yesterday but hey now I have to tackle the pile of ironing...know it's serious when I have more clothes in the ironing pile than I have in my wardrobe.....so less nattering on from me and off to catch up on card orders and then maybe get stuck into that ironing.
So slow down a bit everybody and let this old gal catch up..... Love Kath xxxxx

Tag You're It Challenge

There are 2 challenges this week on Tag You're It - "Favourite Quote" or "Family Photo" - you can try both or either..well I'm afraid I am chasing my tail a bit this week so it's only one for me. I love these flowers from Poppicrafts and they were a real bargain - 40 flowers for £2.69 - 2 sizes 2" & 3"..20 of each.
Inked the card with a pink from Colorbox Queue and inked black spots with a finger dabber.

Paper: Enchanted Collection from Craftwork Cards
Quote: Vellum Sticker from Brenda Pinnick
Bracket: Thickers from American Crafts
Sentiment: HOTP Clear Stamp set
Flowers: Poppicrafts
Ribbon: American Crafts

Ooohh.....more parcels

This was going to be a definite no-craft day...hubby has gone off to climb Lochnagar again..I think he's on a get fit thing and he won't be a happy bunny right now ..set off this morning beautiful blue sky and hot...the sky is now black and it's chucking it down...I bet there are a few swear words going on right this minute. What am I doing today well the house needs a good old clean...ye gods the spiders are beginning to take over....but when I came back from my doggie walk this morning ...wow there are parcels.....

From my Funky Hand mate...Tip Top (Ruth) some gorgeous little Sizzix people...I asked Ruth if she could help me out for a graduation card I need to do next week. Ruth has just puchased an eyelet tool thingy so we agreed to do a bit of a swoperoonie...I've got thousands of those little eyelet blighters and I am pleased they are going to a good home. Thanks mate!

From my Funky Hand mate... Enfys...wooooo....I am so excited....Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder...thanks so much....I have been trying to get one of those for ages but they are sold out as soon as they come in stock. I was feeling a bit left out - everybody else seems to have one . You are too generous gal....apparently she has brought all the girls in the team a little pressie home from the US - can't wait to see what everybody else got.

From QVC - my long awaited Thickers from American Crafts...this is a real saga..pull up a chair.

I ordered these 3 weeks ago from the special American Crafts programme they did and after waiting almost 2 weeks I e-mailed them to find out why it takes so long for a parcel to come to the North East of Scotland...back came the stock reply - your order is still within the 5-7 working days....I am quite aware of that you numptie...I can count...all I am saying is that I could have walked to Liverpool to pick it up and back again in the time you lot take to deliver. Lo and behold it arrived the following Monday and guess what...it isn't what it says on the invoice...it is 2 Thomas Kinkade address books. After a minor stroke and much bad wordies, I called them and fair doos, the guys was most apologetic and very pleasant but hey he tells me I now have to wait for them to send me a label to return the wrong stuff and once they receive that back, they will send out my thickers...What a rigmarole.....but today whoopeee they have arrived 23 days after I ordered them. No gold stars there QVC.

I love these Thickers 4 - Alphabet sets and 4 sets of Swirls, Brackets, Flourishes and Frames all with a metallic finish ....oooohh....can't wait to play with these beauties.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge 3

Another great response to last weeks challenge - you do love your Penny Blacks and can I just say all the entries were fabulous - well done everybody. The challenge this week on Penny Black Saturday is a colour challenge....to use Pink, Brown and Green - really enjoyed this one and these are some of my favourite colours. I am very in to lime green at the moment ....it's such a summer colour.....hey that's a laugh the weather certainly isn't summery here anymore. A big welcome to Jackie and Jovi who are joining the design team this week - pop over to their blogs to see some wonderful creations - hey I'm not the new girl anymore!!!

• Cardstock: Bazzill Lime
• Background Paper: Dottie from Little Fleurs CD Pink Petticoat
• Image: Penny Black "Too many candles"
• Rub-on's: Doodlebug Simply Sweet & All Mixed Up
• Chipboard: Thickers from American Crafts
• Ribbon: Poppicrafts

DCM Challenge

The challenge this week from Daring Cardmakers is from Jo and it's "Christmas in June"..the weather we have been having the last few days you would think it was Winter. I love the technique that I used to make this card.....it's a take on a technique called "Inchies" because you are using 1" squares of card..in my case they were a bit small for what I wanted to do so I used 2" squares so I suppose my card should be called Two Inchies". The technique is featured this week on the Hero Arts Club Blog and there is a video presentation by my hero Shari Carroll and lots of wonderful creations for inspiration. So go check it out ..you won't be disappointed.

Cardstock: Chocolate

Background created with Perfect Pearls; Distress Ink Weathered Wood

Squares: Edged with Dark Brown ink

Stamp: Graphicus

Stamp: Circle Sentiment Stamps Away

Snowflake Brad, snowflake peel offs and blue self adhesive gems

Snow created with a thick layer of PVA glue sprinkled with White Glitter
PS....well don't you just learn something new every day..my good friend Cass informs me that my two inchies are actually called "Twinchies" how cute is that - thanks for that Cass. To answer a question I am often asked - you cut out the 2" squares and stick them down with low tack tape onto your work mat before you stamp... it works better than stamping and then cutting, don't know why.

Wow...eee....

Kazan from 2 Sketches 4You has just left a comment to tell me that because my card for last week's sketch was featured on Inspirational and I still haven't got over the excitement of that ...my name has been added to their Famous 2 Sketchers List......wow..eee....how much more excitement can this old gal cope with.....not good for someone who is waiting in line for her bus pass....well Buddy's not impressed - he was lying here sleeping and when I shouted out with excitement, he jumped up looked at me with his head to one side which he does when he doesn't understand what you are saying to him, promptly lay back down, sighed and closed his eyes again...well that guys for you!!!!

Back to the Girlie Cards

Whooo....hoo.....now that I am back to the girlie card orders...I am flying through them......find them so much easier than the boy ones and this card is for a little lady who loves butterflies.

I just....adore......these papers.. the butterflies are cut from a 12 x 12 sheet - mounted on 3D foam pads, slightly flittered (love that word) with glitter around the edges and I've used self adhesive gems for the bodies all finished with off with some inking and my favourite bit....a little bit of doodling. Now I know that you are probably thinking there is a bit of a space bottom right hand corner...well that's where I am putting the name but decided to take the pic before the light goes. The glitter doesn't really show up on the pic but it is very subtle.

• Papers: K & Co..Hopscotch Girl
• Number Template: Craftwork Cards
• Gems: Hero Arts
• Rub-ons: Doodlebug Simply Sweet

2 Sketches 4 You Challenge

The sketch for this week's challenge on 2 Sketches4You was set by Kazan and I really didn't think I would find the time to enter.....this week has been a real "out of my comfort zone" week - commission cards for that most awkward of species...MEN. This card is for a young go-getter who has just been promoted at work and as I was completing it, Kazan's sketch caught my eye sitting propped up on my desk and yippee, I think it fits the sketch rather well so one less thing to do.....

• Cardstock: Bazzill
  
• Papers: K & Co; Daisy Bucket
  
• Saying: Brenda Pinnick Vellum Sticker
  
• Letters: American Crafts Cardstock Stickers
  
• Brads, Eyelet and Paper Clips from my stash
  

Arty Girlz Challenge #40

The challenge on Arty Girlz this week is NATURE. Well it's all around us....animals...trees, flowers.. it never fails to amaze me with its beauty and inspiration. My card for the challenge is using my favourite black and white just introducing a little bit of colour with the spotlight circles and self adhesive gems which are green but don't show up well because I had to use flash today in the poor light - yes it's raining again.....

• Stamp: Agapanthus from Stampendous
• Sentiment: HOTP Clear Stamps
• Gems: Hero Arts
• Cardstock: Black

Whooo...hooo.

Whooo.hooo. .I was just getting ready to go to bed last night after quite a hectic day when I received an e-mail from Enfys at Inspirational asking if they could feature the card I entered for the 2 Sketches4You challenge this week...well after I picked myself off the floor...stuttering with shock ..had to read it a few times.. by now I am speechless and let me tell you that doesn't happen often ...the creations on this blog are truly amazing and I am so honoured that they want to feature my little old card.....thank you so much. We are having quite a week on the Funky Hand DT - quite a lot of whooo.hooo..ing going on.....Heather was also featured on Inspirational and Carol was one of the Fab 5 on 2 Sketches 4 You. Back down to earth with a bump, work beckons and the dog needs walked (and it's raining again) so...that moment of fame is over.

Happy Birthday To You

Today is a very special day for a very special lady... Heather (one of my Funky Hand gang mates) is celebrating her 50th birthday. When I say this lady is special....that is truly an understatment. Diagnosed with Breast Cancer twice Heather came out fighting and kicked that horror's ass good and proper....she has such spirit and a zest for life that truly inspires everyone she meets and I am so proud to have her as a friend. She has a wicked sense of humour and is such a warm and caring person. Heather really keeps our Funky Hand DT blog hopping with her side splitting posts and down to earth take on life and also shares her views on life with all the lucky folk who visit her blog....pop over and take a peek...not only do you get wonderful inspiration with her fab card creations but lots of laughs too....what a bonus. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER...love you lots.... hopefully Royal Mail will now have delivered her card and I can share it all with you.
The side panels on the card were done using the Ink Embossing Technique with my new toy "the Cuttlebug". Dead simple - ink the inside of your embossing folder - I used a brayer because I think it gives a more even coat of ink but you can do it with an inkpad just don't be too heavy handed, insert your card and run it through the machine...and what a fabulous effect. I used linen card and although it doesn't show on the pic, it has a textured effect almost like fabric. If you haven't already tried this, give it a go.....you will love it. There is a video on You Tube - just enter Cuttlebug in the Search box and it comes up with lots of techniques to use with this little machine.

Black Card for matting and layering

• Embossing Folder: Stylised Flowers
• Stamps: Agapanthus from Stampendous; Sentiment from HOTP clear stamps
• Chipboard numbers: Thickers from American Crafts
• Black Satin Ribbon...Self Adhesive Clear Gems

I NEED A ... BIG....BIG....FAVOUR

I need a big favour from you all - a dear friend of mine who is also a keen crafter has recently been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and is undergoing treatment at the moment - a great lady with lots of spirit and a great sense of humour. The treatment for this terrible disease can be harrowing to say the least and she has found great support from her local Maggie's Centre. To show her appreciation she thought it might be an idea to take along some cards that they can sell to raise money to enable them to continue their wonderful work.
COULD I MAKE A CARD?.... Of course I will, in fact, a lot more than one...but this is where I need your help....if you could each make ONE card...what a difference it would make.....so come on girls...we are all at risk from this terrible disease...so I am counting on you.
Here is the deal...you e-mail me (you will find it on my profile) and I will send you my address, send the card to me here and I will forward them to my friend. Now it's only fair that there is a little incentive here to get your mojo going....I will create a post at the top of my blog and when I receive your card...I will list your name and at the end of July, a name will be chosen at random and there will be some fab goodies for the lucky winner.
P.S. Card with envelope and if possible a cello bag all ready to be sold......I am counting on you all..don't want my friend to think that I am "BILLY NO MATES".

I've been tagged

I've just been tagged by Vicky..... I need to answer the following questions:-
WHAT WAS HAPPENING 10 YEARS AGO?
Well I am a lady of a certain age and remembering what happened yesterday is sometimes a problem but I was taking driving lessons and driving my poor instructor Drew to distraction - he never said much but the big sigh and the rolling eyes gave it away.
NAME 5 THINGS TO DO TODAY:
Having a bit of a lazy day today. so shower, clean my teeth, walk the dog, have breakfast and make the supper.
SNACKS I ENJOY:
Cheese..cheese and cheese.....I know it's fattening but I do love cheese and the stronger the better - a nice bit of Stilton that could cross the room by itself......lovely with a glass of wine.
THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A MILLIONAIRE:
Well that's a silly question...fly to the US once a month first class to stock up on more crafty stuff and probably a bigger house to fit it all in. And do you think I could persuade Tim Holtz to come and be my private craft tutor.
PLACES I HAVE LIVED:
I have always lived in the North East of Scotland and wouldn't live anywhere else - 15 minutes by car from the centre of Aberdeen but with mountains and forests right on my doorstep....love the unspoilt countryside and the bracing clean air....even on horrible days like this.
I now have to pass this onto 5 other LUCKY people..so here goes........my Fiskars mates...told you I would get you back....
Lorraine; Karen & Georgie and my Funky Hand mates Heather & Tip Top. Sorry girls.

Holly - is such a star.....

I just had to share this with you all...Holly is 4 years old and has entered the card she made for her Grandma for the Penny Black Saturday challenge this week..isn't it amazing and watch out everybody we have a very talented little lady here. Holly has her own blog, so pop over and see the lovely cards she has made - on a rainy miserable Sunday, this gladdened my heart and made me smile. Well done to you Holly.

What's happened to the Weather

Yuck..yuck...yuck...what has happened to the weather..it was a lovely sunny day here yesterday and we planned to have a BBQ today..well let me tell you that has gone right out the window...it is absolutely chucking it down today. Walked the dog at 8.00am this morning and boy did we get wet...I was soaked right through to my knickers and I kid you not when I say I had water running out of the arse of my breeks...well at least when we got home I could take all those wet unmentionables off...poor Buddy is still wet even after a few towel dries and hey there is no smell on earth more pungent than WET DOG...... No piccies to post today.......it's a snuggle up on the sofa day with the Sunday papers and one wet dog.....ooohhh.....maybe not. Will be back in biz tomorrow. Hope the weather is better where you are!!!

Penny Black Saturday - Challenge 2

The challenge this week on Penny Black Saturday is FRIENDS - a Friendship Card and this is an extra special one for me...my first one as a member of the Design Team...very honoured to have been asked and excited as I love Penny Black Stamps and judging by the fabulous response to the first challenge last week I am not alone.

I cannot imagine my life without my dog and love my Golden Retriever Buddy to bits, he's still young and can be a little bit naughty but I'm sure he will grow up to be a true and faithful friend. So my choice was this ever so cute little puppy showing his love with a rose. I used a pawprint punch to make a negative and dabbed ink through it and then a little bit of doodling to finish - I am getting worried - this is becoming a bit of an obsession.

• Papers: Little Fleurs Collection from Pink Petticoat
• Image: Penny Black Clear Stamps - Critter Party
• Sentiments: Brenda Pinnick

DCM Challenge

The challenge from Daring Cardmakers this week has been set by Bondgirl and is to make a QUICK card in say less than 30 minutes...well this is straight up my street. When I used to sell my cards at craft fairs they had to be fast and simple to make and this was one design that was very popular.......wait for it......6 MINUTES....ok the flower was already cut out ..so add on an extra couple of minutes.I inked the edge of Linen Cardstock with a Colorbox Queue inkpad and doodled a frame. Cut out the flower and leaves, added a self adhesive heart gem and doodled a stem. Stamped sentiment and voila......done.

• Flower and Paper: Little Fleurs CD from Pink Petticoat
  
• Sentiment: Clear Stamps HOTP

Tag You're It Challenge

The challenge this week on Tag You're It is to make something fabulous incorporating your tag into a pocket...it wasn't until I starting making this that I thought.. oh..oh...I've misread the instructions....the tag itself has two pockets with lots of tags in them...hope that counts. This was an idea from Shari Carroll, a very talented lady and one of my craft heroes..now isn't that appropriate considering she designs for Hero Arts.....this design is great for tag books and also works well on large cards.
Well don't know if it's fabulous but it is quite FUNKY....

Papers: Funky Hand.."V Funky" CD and HOTP
Ribbon & Chipboard Letter: American Crafts
Stamp: Docrafts
Brads: from my stash
Lots of inking edges and doodling

2 Sketches 4 You Sketch Challenge

The challenge this week from 2 Sketches 4 You is a sketch from Laura. I've been struggling this week to get my challenges done but I so love this one that I was burning the midnight oil last night. If you haven't already visited you don't know what you're missing - wonderful creations and so inspiring ..I guarantee you'll be rushing to your stash to get card making.


Now orange isn't really my colour but with the brown and dusky green, I felt it needed something to give it a bit of zing....



Background Paper: Memory Stor
Birdhouse: Self Adhesive Cardstock from DCVW
Ribbon: American Crafts
Flowers: Prima Artful Collage
Rub-on's: Doodlebug All Mixed Up
Stamp: Rhona Farrer Autumn Leaves
Image: Too Tweet from Pink Petticoat

I just love this adorable collection of cute birds from Pink Petticoat

Arty Girlz Challenge # 39

The challenge this week from Arty Girlz is "Hint of Pink"..I didn't find the time to do last week's challenge so was determined to get one done this week and this was using up the left over paper from a card order this morning. No waste with us crafters. This one is for Heather who is waiting to see what I do with my new stamps.....hope it gets the thumbs up.

• Stamp: Fresh Bloom from Stampendous
  
• Flourish from Rhona Farrer - Autumn Leaves Collection
  
• Papers: Memory Stor overstamped with Versamark Inkpad
  
• Quote: Brenda Pinnick
  

My little THANK YOU to me

The last few weeks have been frantic trying to catch up with orders and other things and I am feeling the need for a bit of THERAPY ....a massage, a sauna, a facial (definitely with a bit of plastic surgery thrown in)...NO... the only therapy that works for me now is a bit of CRAFTY SHOPPING. On Monday I decided to have a treat and splash the cash a bit.....the goodies arrived yesterday just before I went out for lunch. I so wanted to rip those boxes open but didn't have time. And here are all my new GOODIES...oh my I feel better already.I have been tinkering with buying the Cuttlebug for a while...do I need another die cutting machine...NO..but this little baby is the biz....and I just love all those embossing folders...GOTTA HAVE SOME....didn't manage to get the Swiss Dots....got a hot tip from my crafty mate Jozza to say that they were back in stock at The Glitter Pot...but dithery me....WILL I.......WON'T I....missed out...never mind next time. Couldn't stop there....got 2 Embossing Folders, Stampendous stamps, a set of Penny Black Clear Stamps...Critter Party...my fav Basic Grey papers, some matching buttons, Doodlebug Rub-ons and a new Brayer..my last one was worn to death. Excellent service from The Glitter Pot - ordered one day and got it the next morning and to the North East of Scotland that is unheard of......take note QVC - still waiting for the stuff I ordered last Friday.....will definitely be shopping there again. I may be up all night playing........

Well Done Mad Coos

I am so proud of these two gorgeous gals....Dawn and Suzanne from Aberdeen who took part in the Moon Walk held in Edinburgh at the weekend. They were part of a team of 7 called the Mad Coo's (4 women and 3 men) and walked 13.2 miles through the streets of Edinburgh including Arthurs Seat and the Royal Mile (those inclines can be a killer!). They set off just after midnight and finished in 4.5 hours (including a 15 minutes loo stop!). So far they have raised £815 which will go to Walk the Walk Worldwide http://www.walkthewalk.org/Home which raises money for various Breast Cancer Charities including Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Maggies Centres (similiar to CLAN). Well done to the Mad Coo's - so proud of you all......love the outfits and oh those pink udders.

Take a Peek

Take a peek at these gorgeous little guys....I had mentioned to my Funky Hand Team Mate Carol how much I loved the House Mouse stamps and the cards she had created with them but couldn't make up my mind which ones to get and she kindly sent me some stamped images to help me make up my mind....thanks a lot Carol - you are so generous ...don't know if it has helped because I love them all but I think my favourites are the mouse with the compact and the little fella at the front saying "IT WAS HIM".
CAROL has made some wonderful cards with these stamps... pop over to her blog.....I kid you not this lady is very...very talented and you will be totally inspired by her creations and while you're there you can take a peek at the photos of the baby hedgehogs...they are adorable.

Wow I'm in love

Wow I have fallen in love.......I received a little package in the post this morning....a RAK from the lovely Penny and when I opened it..wow I couldn't believe how beautiful these pins are.....speak about love at first sight....first noticed them on a card she had made for a challenge and left a comment to say how much I liked them and she offered to send me a couple...how kind is that...I am bowled over by how beautiful they are and her generosity and don't you love the fabulous card as well. Pop over to Penny's blog for a closer look at some pins and instructions on how to make them.....thanks for sharing that with us. While you're there check out her wonderful creations. Thanks so much Penny. I won't want to give them away now.

















No cardmaking today...am off out for lunch with a lovely group of girls who used to attend my ceramic classes (that was my passion before paper crafting) ....so good food and a blether..maybe even a glass of vino.....almost as
good as crafting.

Woo...hoo....I'm over the Moon

Woo...hoo....I've just been asked to join the Design Team on the fabulous new challenge blog Penny Black Saturday....I have been in love with Penny Black Stamps for longer than I care to remember and am looking forward to being part of a great team.

More Men's Cards

After spending the last 2 weeks making Father's Day cards practically non-stop, little did I think that I would be back making men's cards this week and 3 cards for the same man - now that is a challenge as they all have to be different. The brief was that he likes shooting and black labrador dogs.....oh help....out of my comfort zone and needed to get my thinking cap for this one .......big time. The images are from a Clip Art CD but were a bit bright but a little bit of inking with a distressed inkpad toned them down to match in with the papers.
Papers...Memory Stor:
Copper Eyelets

Quite happy with the finished results but it's just a pity that my photography skills are crap - can't seem to get the cards straight in the piccy.....something I need to work on...don't you think.
Well it's a gorgeous day here so off to eat my lunch in the garden and then on with the orders...this time a birthday card for a 2 year old G..I..R..L......HOORAY.

Tag You're It Challenge

The challenge from Tag You're It this week was to use the colours Aubergine; Olive and Ivory - quite a challenge as these are not colours I would normally work with. I used Brilliance Pearlescent Crimson for the Aubergine colour and stamped onto Ivory cardstock it has a more aubergine tinge....well I am claiming artistic licence here. Also coloured my Prima flowers with this inkpad.

Cardstock Ivory
Background Stamp..Hero Arts Delicate Woven Fabrics
Cardstock Olive..DCVW
Background Stamp..Hero Arts Friends Background
Flowers..Prima Artful Collage
Heart..Quickutz
Eyelets..WeR Memory Keepers

How to do a Comment Link

I love visiting challenge blogs and looking at all the entries.....great source of inspiration.. and I love to leave comments but doesn't it bug you when you can't find the card that they have taken so much trouble to make...scrolling down page after page...and I must admit sometimes I just give up and don't leave a comment which is such a shame. It is so much easier if you insert a "Comment Link". If you leave a comment here and I can get your e-mail from your profile or if you e-mail me (it's on my profile) I will send the instructions to you - they are easy to follow - I don't do computer speak.... and then we will all be happy bloggers.

Problem Solved

Well the problem of the Costco Paper is solved....the name of the manufacturer is Memory Stor so from now on no more mention of "fabbie Costco paper".
Thanks to Carol for leaving a comment on my post and a goody bag is on its way. I did laugh when she said that she had gone to Costco to check it out because she too had ditched the wrapper (sorry recycled) ....my goodness why didn't I think of that....I only live 5 mins drive away and would you believe I was there yesterday. Now you are wondering if I am allowed out by myself.

DCM Challenge

The challenge this week from Daring Cardmakers is to make a card featuring "Wheels".

Again I am using this fabbie paper from Costco and to be honest I don't think I will get through it in my lifetime - what have I used so far 3 half sheets of 300.

• Stamps : Travel Clear Stamps
• Eyelets large : WeR memory Keepers
• Rub-on's : Doodlebug All Mixed Up

Penny Black Challenge

Well it's the first challenge from Penny Black Saturday and aptly they have chosen as their theme...the first Penny Black stamp you bought. In my case it was this little sweet bear from the Margaret Sherry Collection and although he's old and a little battered ...(did I hear someone say a bit like yourself )...cheeky.....it's still a stamp I use frequently - it's great for baby cards.

This time I thought let's go for something more funky - got to do something with a bit of doodling.Papers....Pink Petticoat:

Ribbon... from my stash

Negative chipboard letter....American Crafts

Off on a Tangent

Do you ever find yourself going off on a tangent. Last night was going to be playtime getting my teeth into some challenges - well football was on again..how much football can a man watch..and then hubby announces it is on for 3 weeks....never mind a fuel protest...let's have a football protest. Needed to checked some stuff out on the computer and then...it all went pear shaped.
Suddenly decided that I didn't like the look of my blog and thought I would quickly change it...several mugs of coffee and lots of swear words later......about 11.30pm I finally got it sorted and fell into bed totally pi**ed off with myself....what a waste of a crafting time....
It's a complete change of look ....not entirely convinced I like it but hey I've learned my lesson and it's staying that way...well maybe for the time being.

I'm back

No blogging yesterday and hey you don't half miss everybody - life here has been manic finishing off Father's Day Card orders but all done and dusted now. I hope you didn't think I'd been sunning myself or anything 'cos I tell you it has been absolutely brass monkey weather yesterday and today...where has summer gone or is it autumn already....oh no!!!! Who knows the way the weather's been lately.I did find time to play with one of my new Hero Arts purchases - I love collage stamps and already can think how different this would look with all different papers. This was just a quickie to cheer myself up after all that guy stuff and all this from one sheet of that fantastic paper from Costco....no colouring just used different parts of the paper for the colour variation and a little bit of Heidi Swapp ribbon. I wish I knew the manufacturer of this paper - I think it did say on the outer wrapper but silly me threw it away....now here's a question for all you guys that bought it.....because I'm fed up saying that paper from Costco. Here's the deal the first one to leave a comment with the name will get a little goody bag from me.
Had a little bit of therapy this afternoon watching the American Design Craft programmes on QVC - the only ones I watch apart from scrapbooking hours. Rosemary Merry was on with American Crafts stuff (one of my favourites) and I got some Thickers....metallic this time...they are fab and can't wait for them to arrive. Well enough rambling for one day off to do some Funky Hand stuff and then I get to play ..didn't manage many challenges this week and I am suffering withdrawals...so this weekend is me challenge heaven time.....remember the Penny Black Challenge starts on Saturday...should be a goodie - can't wait to see all your entries.
Enjoy your weekend!!

2 Sketches 4 You

This week's sketch on 2Sketches 4You has been set by Kazan Clark. I really enjoyed this sketch using my favourite colour scheme Black & White adding the red to zing it up a bit. The flourish has been stamped onto white card, cut out and mounted on 3D foam pads. The flowers were actually pink but I coloured them with a red inkpad and gave them some black dots with a Sharpie and the stickers were also stuck onto white card and cut out and mounted on 3D foam pads.

Papers: Pink Petticoat
Flourish: Rhona Farrer Autumn Leaves Clear Stamps
Flowers: Heidi Grace
Brads: HOTP
Sentiment: American Crafts Remarks Stickers

Penny Black Saturday Challenge

For all you Penny Black lovers out there, Tracy (Ella Bella) and Tracie (Pink Angel) are launching a brand new challenge blog.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge will launch on 14 June and the only rule is that you use at least one PB stamp or image on your creation. Pop over, leave a comment and spread the word. Sounds another fun challenge.

Did you know?

Did you know that you can use your -Crop-o-dile to emboss....obviously it's going to be dots or dots and yes if it's a whole panel of dots, you would be using your Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder but if you just want a line of dots or a circle of dots...this is your tool for the job.
I have sanded the Bazzill card to make the dots show up better and then on the white core cardstock you get a polka dot effect when you sand.

Oh Goody...Goodies

Yesterday wasn't my best day ...silly moi was without camera and couldn't catch up with lots of photos I needed to do ...so I took myself off for a bit of craft therapy.....shopping in other words. Got these fabulous Hero Art Card Art stamps (I've been looking at them online for a while) they come with 2 cards and envelopes and some bling and also a load of those little clear stamps at 99p a sheet - great for little accents and icons.Then Mr Postman arrived with a parcel - wow some fab blog candy I won from Ros - lots of 6 x 6 papers in all different styles....and a beautiful card...thank you very much Ros but all I need now is some extra time to play with them.
The Liz Earle Summer catalogue arrived and on the back it says "Recycle or give to a Friend" but hey I think it would make a lovely card....don't you..mind you same image on the back..so that's two cards.

Ah..forgot to tell you earlier..I was sitting having my coffee this morning outside when a little field mouse appeared from nowhere...he obviously wasn't bothered about me and scuttled around for ages going about his daily business.......will have the camera at the ready tomorrow..so here's hoping that I get some pics...he was so darned cute.

Busy...busy...busy

Sorry I've been neglecting my blog in the last few days...just busy..busy...busy and the missing camera didn't help either. Up at 6.00am this morning and what a beautiful morning...kettle on, coffee made and a seat outside in the sun.....this was the first thing I saw as I stepped outside.....aren't they gorgeous and they were only buds yesterday...the great weather we have been having has obviously spurred them on to flower....I love poppies and that put me in the right frame of mind for the rest of the day. BIL delivered camera and we are back in business again.

The production line is going at full speed but why do I have to be such a messy crafter....I have great intentions of tidying up as I go along and then it just goes all pear shaped and then it becomes so bad I can't continue until I tidy up ....I am also guilty of scooping everything up and then lo and behold my trusty fiskars scissors or my pokey tool end up in the bin. I am too ashamed to show you the floor ...almost ankle deep in bits of paper and those annoying little bits off 3D foam pads..don't they get everywhere and they are also a bu**er to hoover up.
Enjoy the rest of your day and happy crafting all.

Who's a silly blogger

Well hasn't it been a fabulous weekend weatherwise...I got lots of work done in the garden mainly reseeding areas of the grass where Buddy has been piddling...naughty Buddy but I suppose when you have to go, you have to go and yesterday we were invited to a last minute BBQ at my sister's...great no food to prepare and someone else do the cooking. We had a great time, fab food and one or two drinkies, not me I was driving and what did I do leave my camera there. Silly blogger..... I have lots of pics to take and upload so am really annoyed at myself. Sis is working today and BIL is off on a golf jaunt so won't get it back until tomorrow.
I am working on a few projects at the moment ...hush...hush...top secret. all will be revealed soon. I am being naughty because I hate when other people tease.
Had to go and get some cardstock and insert paper today...my local paper mill has the most fab craft shop.. The Papeterie... the cardstock is brilliant 300 gsm, beautiful quality and a ridiculous price for a large box. If you live in the North East of Scotland, you have to pay a visit...
Well what do us girls do when we are feeling down...have a spending spree and I bought some fab Collage Hero Arts stamps and some other little bits and pieces. Will share with you tomorrow when I get the old camera back. In the meantime I hope the weather is nice where you are...ENJOY.

Father's Day

It's been a busy week with card orders..just finish one lot and now onto the Father's Day cards. Two entirely different cards using the same colour palette. Background...Self Adhesive Cardstock from DCWV: Papers...Dovecraft Masculine Collection: Chipboard letters... Golf Embellishments.. Crafty Bitz: Stamp...See D's..Boys' Toys: Golf Charms...Madaboutcards: Wording...Black Peel Off's
Papers....Dovecraft Masculine Collection:
Rub-ons...Doodlebug:
This is more my style of card - simple with a little bit of doodling.

New Home

I just love the new download from Pink Petticoat "Home Sweet Home" but the image wasn't quite big enough for the card I wanted to make so I resized it on the computer and paper pieced it to get the effect I wanted. More inking of edges and doodling and I seem to have a thing at the moment about houses or birdhouses.

Papers - "Little Fleurs" Collection Pink Petticoat: Red cardstock: Hearts cut with Quickutz: Apples - circle punch

So cute

I couldn't resist posting these cute little fellas and the naughty puppy made me smile. My own Buddy was very naughty this morning - he ran off chasing rabbits in a wood near our house and he was still missing after half an hour of my whistling and calling his name and as I walked back through the wood, here he was sitting in the car park beside a car - not ours I might add as we walk to the woods. I was glad to see him but oh so tempted to boot his bottom all the way home....he doesn't have an excuse he's nearly 2 years old but of course, he is a golden retriever known for their zany characters and a tendency to chance their luck but one look from those big brown eyes and all is forgiven.

Tag You're It Challenge

The challenge this week from Tag You're It is to create a tag with a Monogram....loved this challenge as I love using words and letters on my cards but decided to think outside of my comfort zone with a male themed tag seeing that it will be Father's Day soon.

Cream Cardstock:
Large Monogram: Heidi Grace
Papers, brads, sentiments, chipboard heart and ribbon: Creative Keepsakes

DCM Challenge

The challenge this week from Daring Cardmakers is to include a quote on your card. I so enjoyed working with the colour palette from my last post that I decided to use it again.
Blue cardstock: Softies Collection from Craftwork Cards
Terracotta Paper: That fab Costco deal again
Quote: Brenda Pinnick Sticker
Flourish Stamp: Autumn Leaves - Rhona Farrer
Birdie Image: from my FH team mate Carol in a PIF Candy
And some more doodling...loved this challenge and I am in love with this colour scheme so beware you could be seeing it again.....

Big congratulations to my Funky Hand team mate....Jozza who is featuring as Guest Designer for the whole month of June...we are in for a real treat as she makes some fab cards..well kept secret Joz - well done you.