WOYWW and What a Palaver

Morning folks....it's a beautiful sunny morning....I've just had my first coffee sitting outside with only the birds and "The Budster" for company....my favourite time of day...fingers crossed today turns out better than yesterday.....yes you've got it in one... yesterday did not go according to plan...no sneaky peek today but I will explain why in a minute.....instead I am sharing what was on my workdesk yesterday and for the first time I am joining in the fun at WOYWW.

all those Pesky Peppa pig cards ready to be assembled and believe me folks....I was losing the will to live by the time I cut out the 8 chipboard numbers...my sanity saved with the help of my fabulous new best friend from  Fiskars

my constant companion.....Brushed Corduroy....sits on my desk 24/7 but the foam pad is looking a little sad...time for a new one me thinks

and my other addiction apart from paper crafting....oh yes must always have coffee on my desk....keeps the energy levels topped up

And who upset me yesterday.....the mighty B&Q none the less......nipped along to firstly return one box of tiles that were surplus to requirements.....stood in the queue for at least 25 minutes while 3 members of staff struggled to calculate the amount of refund that a poor highly embarrassed woman should get.....with a queue of 5 impatient customers waiting in line....so much for computerised till systems....what a bunch of numpties.   Finally it's my turn....and I have my receipt but because they were a special order of 17 boxes....he wouldn't refund my money without the copy of the original order which I have but didn't think it necessary to take with me....and no amount of gentle persuasion turning to downright anger was going to work on this job's worth.....so will just have to go back at a later date.    I then popped into Asda which is just across the way and as I only had a few items went through the self checkout tills......and of course the one I chose didn't like me at all and kept flagging up....."problem with item weight...please wait for assistance"......now the item in question....a newspaper...surely that doesn't require weighing but I could be wrong so I waited and waited and lo and behold along comes another numptie who informed me that it isn't the machine that's faulty...it's customers who don't know how to work it properly.....well I bet his little ears will be ringing for some time to come and luckily for the little whippersnapper it was a public place or his ears might have been stinging for the rest of the day.

Why is it that you can't go on a couple of simple errands without arriving home feeling as though you have been through a wringer and run over by a truck at the same time...desperate for a strong cup of coffee and a lie down in a darkened room....and just to put the lid on a sodding awful day....hubby informed me that the light I had bought for the en suite was a NO....NO....so off I trotted back to B&Q in the evening....along with all the relevant paperwork for my refund......oh yes a glutton for punishment me.
And the day wasn't all doom and gloom....was highly delighted to see that Gordon Brown has at last shown his true colours and been exposed as the two faced...pompous....odious little man that he is.

Will catch up with you all tomorrow for Sneaky Peak Friday and Who Caught My Eye this week and believe me folks....a couple of stunners.

Hugs Kath xxx
Edited to add: to answer Anne's question from yesterday....as far as I know there aren't any Peppa Pig stamps on the market....the images were from a sticker book I bought at Tesco

Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Morning folks and what's the weather going to do today....goodness knows...yesterday ended up in spitty spotty rain....and just when I decided to change all the beds in the house....bad planning on my part...and to be honest today doesn't look too promising either.
The good news is that while the sun is hiding I am cracking on with my list of jobs to do and managed to fit in another challenge card.
The challenge this week from the lovely Keryn over at Daring Cardmakers is.....

DIE CUT CRAZY

Hero Arts....Mi Casa

Woodgrain Pattern

Sizzlits Die: Leaves, Branches & Flowers
(and I'm sure you are all familiar with this phrase..but if not...it means
"my house is your house" in Spanish)

Yes I know what you're thinking not another card with the Mi Casa stamp set...well there is a very good reason...I am trying to kill two birds with one stone.. making some samples for the lovely Jacqui at Simply Create and getting some challenges done and dusted at the same time ...another use for the house stamp....just mask off the windows and door and you have a ready made birdhouse.

But it's ever onward as they say.....8 Peppa Pig cards to make today.....all the same but with different names and then a quick dash to B&Q to get some bathroom stuff.....it's 10% discount day for us elderly customers don't you know .....and hopefully manage to get my DT stuff done instead of being last minute Annie again....but first the big furry boy needs his morning constitutional.

Catch up with you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Allsorts Challenge 49

Morning folks...the sun finally arrived here in the NE of Scotland yesterday and sure as fate....I have a mega busy week ahead so am thinking I may have to handcuff myself to my desk in the cubbyhole or they may be no dent made in this week's workload.   It's a bit dull and cloudy this morning but fingers crossed the haze will lift and the sun will appear again....we are prone in this neck of the woods to...one day fine...one day not...that's Scottish weather for you.
Didn't think I would have time for any challenges this week but how could I resist the fabulous challenge over at Allsorts this week from my lovely bloggy bud Emma.

BE INSPIRED

and who wouldn't be inspired by this gorgeous butterfly bracelet

Papers: WeRMK....Nonsense

Image: Hero Arts Mia Casa

Twill Ribbon: Stampin Up

Button: Basic Grey

And I can't make up my mind.....is this house suffering from a little bit of subsidence...is it just the angle of the photo....or did this dopey crafter stick it on squint.

Time for our morning stroll and it usually is a leisurely stroll while "The Budster" sniffs and roots around but if we should meet up with his new lady love...we could be there half the morning......must try a get a pic of the gorgeous Ruby to share with you all....she is only 1 year old and is just the sweetest dog and I fear that "The Budster" is stricken big time......shame there will never be any "Buddy/Ruby" puppies.

Catch up with you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

A little thank you from the furry one

Morning bloggers...yes it's your bundle of golden deliciousness...the mightily handsome furry one and have I had a fun week reading through all your lovely comments....I loves you all....it's great to have such great bloggy friends....of course I have lots of doggy friends but all they are interested in doing is chasing me and trying to pinch my stick apart from my new lady friend.
So it think it's time for a little thank you....Mum is mega busy at the mo...so a great opportunity to sneak in there and lift some stash...she will never notice....blimey there is stuff in there that hasn't seen the light of day since she bought it.

And this little parcel of crafty deliciousness will be winging it's way to......

COOPS...aka NIC

if you e-mail with your address.....Mum will be popping it in the post to you.

And what is the crafty lady up to this week.....well it's a bit of a busy week she keeps telling me and I think we may be moving back into our newly decorated bedroom....hey about time too.....can't wait to try out the new bed and hey she has well and truly splashed the cash....I am getting a brand new throw to sleep on and colour co-ordinated too....no expense spared for this gorgeous furry boy.

Well must dash....time for my morning stroll and fingers crossed I meet my new friend....let you into a  little secret....she's my new girlfriend...a very fetching Red Setter called RUBY....boy is she gorgeous and if truth be told I think I'm in LOVE...she can't leave me alone...well no surprise there but hey don't get excited it's early days....we've only just met.

lots of bloggy hugs and snuggles

BUDDY XXX

D.I.Y. and Mr DVLA

Morning folks....and what have I been doing over the weekend.....nothing crafty that's for sure...cleaning up after Mr Tiler...blimey what a messy worker....grout everywhere...and here was me thinking that it only went in between the tiles....but it's beginning to come together.....spent yesterday putting together the flat pack bedside cabinets....hopefully hubby will be laying the carpet today and hanging the doors....me... well my body is having a bit of a protest...woke this morning to discover muscles aching that I never knew existed....so I am having a bit of snuggly up on the sofa kind of a day...reading the Sunday newspapers and doing a crossword or two.....before it's back to work tomorrow.....loads to do next week and as always not enough hours in a day.

And yes Mr DVLA has been in touch and pronounced sentence.....no I am not going to be detained at Her Majesty's pleasure...although the thought of living the life of riley was beginning to appeal.....loved the thought of lots of you coming to visit and smuggling in some crafty goodies for me to play with....sadly it's not to be.  The reminder that they should have sent out finally turned up...dated 15th April which was 2 days before I realised that I had committed the most heinous of all crimes...depriving our Government of some money and it hasn't yet filtered through their system that we are legally now allowed on the road .....so my punishment.....a fine of £80....reduced to £40 if we pay it before the 15th of May + £25 for the 2 months Road Tax we have diddled them out of......but as I am not the registered keeper of said vehicle....me thinks it's down to hubby to cough up....so the good news is the crafty stash money box is still in tact and lives to spend another day.
And a little reminder folks.....you only have a few days left to enter that fabulous competition over at Craftwork Cards....you can't win it if you're not in it.

I think you may have a visit from His Nibs tomorrow.

Hugs Kath xxx

Penny Black Saturday....Week 98

Morning everyone....another week has disappeared and yes it's Saturday once again......I swear the weeks fly by quicker and quicker.    Wow you all loved last week's challenge...and although some were a bit unsure to start off....you all totally rocked it....I had such fun visiting you and looking at all the gorgeous entries.  Thanks again folks for taking the time to join in the fun.
Sadly we are saying goodbye this week to the lovely Gill who has been our guest designer for April....it was a pleasure to have Gill join us and a big thank for sharing your wonderful cards with us all...and I am over the moon that our lovely teamie Jacqui is back after a little break due to other commitments....and that means even more fabulous Penny Black inspiration for you all.

The challenge this week at Penny Black Saturday is a recipe.....

3 FLOWERS..2 BUTTONS..1 BOW

Background created with Hero Arts: Shadow Inks...Soft Sand & Soft Blossom
Stamps: Hero Arts.....Stripes Pattern & Friends Background
Image: Penny Black...Keepsake
Flowers: Prima
Ribbon: American Crafts..love the shimmer on this ribbon
Buttons from stash
Sentiment: Craftwork Cards...In Circle Messages

and the prize this week for one lucky winner
from PB Stamps

15% off lifetime discount voucher to spend in their online store
with over 4000 Penny Black stamps for you to choose from

So now it's your turn....get those ingredients looked out and start cooking up some fabulous cards for me to come look at.....will be popping over to pay you all a visit....in the meantime pop on over and visit all my lovely teamies.....they just amaze me each and every week with their gorgeous creations.

Happy Cooking Crafting Everyone
Hugs Kath xxx

Papertake Weekly Challenge....Sketch 39

Morning folks....it's Friday and no sneaky peek I'm afraid....time just ran away with me yesterday.....but I did have time to make a challenge card with a set of Hero Arts stamps that just jumped into my basket at Simply Create and I didn't have the heart to return them to the shelf.
The challenge this week over at Papertake Weekly is yet another fab sketch from Miss Pink Piggy herself..my lovely bloggy bud...Dawny P... my kind of sketch "simples" so another one to be filed away in the sketch folder for moments when Mr Mojo deserts me....which are becoming more and more frequent....

Image: Hero Arts...Mi Casa
and this so reminds me of the lovely holidays I spent with my dear friend Nancy
 in her gorgeous home in Malaga
Kraft Cardstock: Stampin Up
Hero Arts: Stripes Pattern
Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Barn Door..Peeled Paint & Brushed Corduroy
American Crafts Fabric Thickers coloured with Barn Door
Sentiment: My Little Shoe Box Mini Alphas

And it's time for me to have one of my little rants....well you have been spared for quite a while so it maybe a good idea to pour yourselves a cuppa and grab a comfy seat.    I have made several trips out to Simply Create in the last few weeks hoping to get my greedy mitts on some of the new Hero Arts and Tim Holtz goodies....sadly the lovely Jacqui is still waiting for her new stock ordered ages ago to arrive.   It must be so frustrating when you have customers asking for all the new stuff and you can't get it.   Why does it take so long for us crafters in the UK to get all the new stuff.....unfortunately small craft shops have no alternative but to order through the UK distributors.....don't they realise that if customers can't get what they want in the UK....they will be ordering online from the US....I know because I have done it myself....but shouldn't they be helping to support the British economy and our local craft shops who are doing their best to keep their customers happy and the wolf from the door in these hard economic times....how many craft stores do you know that have gone out of business recently.   We are still waiting for all the stuff from Winter CHA in January...can it really take 3 months for a container of crafty stuff to cross the Atlantic....if so with the Summer Show taking place in July....I will be anticipating my next lot of goodies just in time for Christmas....how crazy is that.

OK rant over.... will it make my stamps arrive any sooner....probably not but it does you good just every so once in a while to let off a bit of steam and get it off your chest.   Well it's time for our morning stroll...the big furry boy is chomping at the bit....the weather is dull and dreich.....the cubbyhole is like a tip...oh happy day.
Catch up with you all tomorrow for another fab challenge over at Penny Black Saturday and considering I haven't made my DT card yet....I had better get my skates on.

Hugs Kath xxx

Who caught my eye.....

Morning folks....something a little bit different today.....thought I would share with you all some cards that really caught my eye this week in bloggy land....and hey this could become a regular feature.....I don't get as much time as I would like to wander through bloggyland looking at all the fabulous creations made by seriously talented crafters....I have to ration myself or I would never get any work done at all...but these two cards from Penny Black Saturday's challenge this week....really caught my eye.....

CAROLANN

This is my kinda card I thought when I first saw it and no surprise then when I read that Carolann was inspired by one she saw here using this gorgeous Silhouette Grass stamp from Hero Arts and I love how she combined it with the beautiful Penny Black Butterfly Images.    Carol goes on to say that she shied away from stamping because she is no artist....well you could have fooled me Mrs......this is stunning and I do suspect that the background is my must-have of the moment....sticky back canvas inked with Sir Timmy's favourite Distress Ink too...Brushed Corduroy.....and apologies Carol if I am a bad influence in the crafty stash buying department.....but not my fault if you have no willpower and I love what you have done with your purchases....hope we can meet up again soon and it may well be you on the demo side of the table next time.

FAE

I loved what Fae did here with her gorgeous hedgie.....stamped in Brilliance Ink and coloured the image with the same ink and a little water..to give this beautiful sepia look ....thanks for sharing the technique Fae.....will definitely be giving this one a try.

And I have to share this gorgeous card from my lovely buddy......

LIN

from the Hero Arts Flickr Group.....one seriously talented Hero Arts addict.  Lin left me a comment to say that she would be casing my Allsorts card from yesterday.....isn't it fabulous

and I love it....to be honest I hate to admit it but I like it more than my effort....better composition for a start.....3 flowers perfect.....2 is a real NO.. NO...have I forgotten the basic principles of design....and if you are looking for some fabulous Hero Arts inspiration....look no further than Lin's Photostream
And it's back to the saga of the bedroom......well the tiler is finished and it is looking so....GOOOOOD.....I have loads I could be doing to get the bedroom ship shape and ready for moving in again....but after my day stuck at the computer with my eyes out on stalks...I need to break free and have a little me time.  The step by step instructions are done and dusted and thanks to the wonderful world of technology and e-mail...they have now arrived safely at their destination...so I am escaping from the cubbyhole and taking a trip to visit the lovely Jacqui at Simply Create to have a coffee and a little chat about.....watch this space....and no doubt the credit card will be getting an airing again.
And the last thing that caught my eye yesterday and not seen for quite some time....that rarest of  species in the mechanical bird world.....a British Airways jet high up in the sky heading goodness knows where...with I bet lots of happy smiling faces on board.

Toodle...oo...for now.....back tomorrow with a sneaky peek and hopefully another challenge card.

Hugs Kath xxxx

Allsorts Challenge....48

Morning folks.....winter has returned to this neck of the woods with a vengeance...blimey it's arctic out there which means it's back to the Michelin Man gear once again for our morning strolls....and here was me thinking it was time to look out the summer tops and shorts.....not yet I fear...don't do the goosepimply arms and legs thing......but change of plan today.....rush last minute job to do....so it's cut to the chase time.
The challenge this week over at Allsorts is.....

IN STITCHES

and I am still in Sticky Back Canvas....Hero Arts and Sir Timmy mode

Background stamped with a new stamp from Simply Create...but there is no name on it

and then coloured with Brushed Corduroy

my favourite Hero Arts flowers from Artistic Borders inked with Faded Jeans and overstamped with

Tiny Jubilee Dots and Stripes Background...leaves coloured with Peeled Paint

Sentiment...Hero Arts....Thinking of You coloured with Mustard Seed

finished off with Basic Grey Buttons and twine

and of course.....a little bit of faux stitching

Why is it that when you have your week all planned out and are thinking of having a little bit of me time.....something always turns up to send the plans into freefall.   I have material lists and instructions to do today for 7 cards which will be appearing as projects on the FISKARS website real soon.....using the samples I made for the SECC and don't get me wrong....I was chuffed to be asked....BUT and yes it's a big BUT....this is my least favourite job...takes forever.....flicking through catalogues for Products Numbers and then the step by step instructions......well it won't get done if I am sitting here talking about it.....off to make myself a nice cup of coffee and get cracking.....hopefully I will catch up with you all tomorrow.

Oops nearly forgot....have you noticed I have a new gizmo up on the top right hand corner....
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION....if you do have a question you want to ask about anything you see on here.....just click and ask away and I will answer as soon as I can.....lots of you either ask questions on your comments or send e-mails and sometimes I have missed them....so thought this was a better idea.....go on try it out.....who's going to be first with a question...and I do believe that "His Nibs" may want to join in the fun too....now ain't that a surprise...no show without the big furry boy.

Hugs Kath xxx

Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Morning folks.....the good news is....no armed response team knocking down the door YET... I live to craft another day and thank you for all your lovely fun messages....they did make me smile.
The challenge this week over at Daring Cardmakers is set by my lovely Funky Hand teamie Kathy and dare I say is rather appropriate.......

GETTING IN A FLAP

Background stamped with Old Letter Writing & TH Distress Ink Pumice Stone

edges coloured with Brushed Mahogany

Image: Hero Arts...Floral Garden inked with Brushed Mahogany

Ribbon from stash

Flower: Petaloo
Pearls: Hobby House

Sentiment: Hero Arts...Thinking of You

And yes folks I am still in Tim Holtz and Hero Arts mode....my beloved Brushed Corduroy is in real danger of being replaced in my affections by the gorgeous new kid on the block...Pumice Stone....and I have a confession to make.....I bought this Hero Arts Cling stamp ages ago.....looked at it when I got it home and thought what I going to do with it.....took a while but eventually the old creative juices started flowing.....stamped and cut into 4 squares and it fitted in perfectly for this challenge.....if you are ever stuck for ideas with your Hero Arts stamps....you can always pop over to Hero Arts ..Hero Arts Blog or to the Hero Arts Flickr group....just type in the name of your particular stamp in the search box and voila.......fabulous instant inspiration from seriously talented Hero Arts designers and addicts.
Edited to add: what a surprise....my card got a mention on Hero Arts twitter.....how chuffed am I.

And boy oh boy shock surprise.....we had serious snow showers yesterday ..fortunately melting as soon it hit the ground.... today it's chucking it down and oh so COLD...and after our morning stroll....it's time for a hot cuppa.....tiler will be arriving any minute and no doubt he will need a top up of tea before he starts....I am having a day in the kitchen...mega cookathon planned....staying within easy reach of the kettle ready for "any chance of a cuppa" which will no doubt be heard repeatedly throughout the day.

And look what popped through the letterbox yesterday......a sweet thank you card from the lovely Anesha.

Thank you Anesha......Buddy and I send big hugs and snuggles xxxxx

Catch up with you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath

Guilty as Charged

Morning folks.....yes I have been very naughty....but don't worry I am not about to be frog marched off in handcuffs....well I don't think so and what have I done....well it's more what I haven't done.     Hubby was busy cleaning the car on Saturday morning and came rushing in......"didn't you get the road tax for the car".....and when did it run out......better sit down now folks....a bit of a shocker.....31st January and I can't believe I have been dotting all over the countryside for more than 2 months with no road tax.  Little old me..a model law abiding citizen....a stickler for sticking to the speed limit.....blimey "criminal record" flashing before my eyes.     So it was a mad dash to the local Post Office before they closed at lunchtime..breathing a huge sigh of relief....we are legal again.....but it can only been back dated to 31st March....and the job's worth at the Post Office took great delight in informing me that the DVLA WILL BE contacting me.....well what does that mean.....a smack across the fingers....a hefty fine....or will I be hauled into court and then locked up indefinitely.    OK I hold my hands up....we broke the law but not intentionally and what about all the morons who are driving around with NO Road Tax...NO Insurance and NO MOT not because they have forgotten...but because they just don't want to pay....and what about this super duper mega expensive "Big Brother" DVLA computer that is supposed to be able to tell in an instant if you haven't renewed your road tax and send you a reminder.
Do you think I can plead insanity....senility or should I just admit the truth....I am a daft old bat....with a memory like a sieve.
My sons found the whole thing hysterical.... their super efficient and normally so organised Mum is human after all and took great delight in informing me if the worst comes to the worst and I am carted off to spend some time at Her Majesty's pleasure they would come to visit their old criminal of a Mum.
It's not all doom and gloom however....the tiler will be here Tuesday and Wednesday....oh dear perhaps I should have warned him if Mr DVLA gets here first....I may not have any money to pay him.
I am planning to make a challenge card or two today.....but if I should disappear from bloggyland for a while....please don't worry.....hey ho the way prisoners are treated nowadays....once I am settled in my cell I will get my very own laptop with free internet access and will be posting away to my hearts contents from a prison near you....and when you think about it.....no cooking...washing...ironing....or cleaning.....hey this may not be a complete disaster after all.
I won't tempt fate by finishing with my usual......"catch up with you all tomorrow".....let's just wait and see...and hey it's snowing.

Hugs Kath xxx

Fun Sunday Give-Away

Morning everybody....yes it's your bundle of golden deliciousness and I am in mischievous mode this morning but first a little thank you.....I love when my Mum reads out all the lovely comments from my bloggy buddies...so I have a little parcel of goodies which will be winging it's way to.......

ANDREA

Andrea loves my little stories when Mum is away...well just goes to show you are a lady of very good taste

all you need to do Andrea is e-mail my Mum with your address and she will pop it in the post for you.  Thank you to the lovely Anesha who has asked for more pics of the handsome me....only too happy to oblige Anesha.....boy I am such a handsome devil....and modest with it....so feast your eyes girls.
My Mum is always ranting on about me being a hooligan....so not true.....it didn't take me long to work out that "GOOD BOY" means treats...but we all have to cut loose occasionally and to be honest this cardmaking malarkey gets a bit boring after a while.....so I thought I would brighten your day with a bit of fun.
I'm sure you all know about the fabulous competition over at Craftwork Cards.....and hey what a fantastic prize....now my Mum is a bit gutted that she is not allowed to enter....but hey there is nothing in the rules to say that I can't enter....so here we go.....my choice for a brand new candy would be

GOLDEN DELIGHTS

and look at all the gorgeous colours in my choice

Soft Cream

Light Gold

Bright Gold

and beautiful brown for my nose

I am confident I could be in with a serious chance of winning here folks.....and the prize....a visit to Craftwork Cards brand new factory.....Mum would have to come too because I don't know if dogs are allowed to travel alone on the train.....oh boy could I cause Card Candy mayhem if let loose with my huge fluffy tail and the best bit of the prize...the winner will be treated to a slap up meal.....I am drooling at the thought....I do love my grub....especially posh nosh.....

but there could be a slight problem with my table manners...not quite up to fine dining standards and be warned folks....I can demolish three courses in the time it takes everyone else to pick up their knife and fork....so maybe not such a brilliant idea......but hey no harm in dreaming.
Now for the not so fun news....my Mum has been a real naughty girl.....it's a bit like the kettle calling the pot black....I'm sure she will be popping on tomorrow to tell you the tale of woe....that is if she hasn't been hauled off in handcuffs in the meantime....I bet that made you sit up and take notice.....me I am off to chill out with a lovely relaxing snooze ..... catch up with all you lovelies real soon.

Big Hugs & Snuggly Cuddles

BUDDY XXX

Penny Black Saturday....Week 97

Morning folks and yes Saturday comes around once again....all too quickly for my liking and of course that means it's time for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday.
Big thank you to you all for taking the time to join in the fun last week... loved all your gorgeous cards and thanks for sharing lots of inspiring ways to use up our button stash.

The challenge this week is....

MONOCHROMATIC BROWN

Did I hear a few groans out there....
we want to see you using different shades of brown...from cream...tan  right through to the darkest brown and of course you can always include white

Background stamped with Hero Arts Stripes Pattern
inked with Stampin Up..."Close to Cocoa"
Image: Penny Black "Whispers"
Hero Arts: Friends Background
Flowers over stamped with Hero Arts Tiny Jubilee Dots
using TH Distress Ink..."Brushed Corduroy"
Lace from stash
Pearls: Hobby House
Spellbinders Nestabilities....Large & Small Big Scalloped Squares

and we have a fabulous prize this week for one lucky winner
from the lovely Kerry at The Craft Garden

these gorgeous Prima Shabby Chic flowers
and if you love your Primas.....pop over for a visit....lots to choose from

Looking forward to seeing what you all create this week and will be popping by for a visit and don't forget to visit all my lovely teamies and see what they have been up to.   Having a no crafty day today....off to visit the grandbabies.....for lots of snuggles.

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited to add: I do believe that you may have the company of a certain snuggly fella tomorrow....and he has been busy reading all your comments from this week and is at this moment rummaging  through my stash.....wonder why!!!!

It's sneaky peek Friday

Morning folks and thank you for all your good wishes about the old pain in the neck....and hey miracles do happen.....got up this morning and it's as right as rain....what was that all about.
Believe me I was not in the mood for cardmaking yesterday but when you are a last minute...skidding in by the seat of your pants girl like me.....I had no option....Penny Black Saturday DT card to make so it was grin through the pain and basically get on with it.......and here is your Friday Sneaky Peek

And talk about sneaky...one minute it's Monday and before you know Friday has snuck up on us...here we are already in the middle of the fourth month of the year ...why didn't time pass as quickly when I went out to work or was waiting for that pay cheque at the end of the month...there never seems to be enough hours in a day and the list of things to do just gets longer and longer....it's like being on the treadmill of time.
It's a gorgeous sunny morning here despite the doom and gloomy weather forecast and time for The Budster and I to set off for our morning stroll.....me trying to plan my day....him running around chasing rabbits without a care in the world.....they have predicted some of the white flaky stuff for us over the weekend...but who would have thought that they meant volcanic ash.....catch up with you all tomorrow for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday.

Hugs Kath xxx

Papertake Weekly Challenge

Morning folks....yes the weather has quickly gone downhill....let's hope it's just a little hiccup and that Spring and Summer this year are going to live up to the scorching predictions from the Met Office....believe it when I see it considering we have snow forecast for the weekend.....you couldn't make it up if you tried.   So on with the crafting.....and the minute I saw the challenge this week over at Papertake Weekly.....I knew I just had to join in.....loving these cute images from LOTV....

CUTIE PIE

and they don't come much cuter than this

Image: LOTV...Swing Time

Background inked with Hero Arts Shadow Ink...Soft Sand edged with TH Distress Ink Pad...yes how did you guess Brushed Corduroy.

Ribbon: from stash

Flowers: Prima

Sentiment: Hero Arts....Share Laughter

Paw Print Punch used as a stencil

And this image brought back wonderful memories of my childhood when my best friend was our beautiful black and white Springer Spaniel called Bustle.....and as you go through life you realise that animals are never critical...don't judge...they are always there for you.... to lick away the tears and give unconditional love.

Bustle was allowed to sleep in our room on the rug at the side of the bed....but one night when Dad popped his head round the door to check we were asleep....there were three heads peeking out....there she was in the middle of our big old double bed snuggled up between my sis and I.....under the blankets....head on pillow and snoring like a train.  That was her supposedly banished from jumping on the bed....but what Dad didn't know....or perhaps he did.....that the minute he went to bed....the wise old girl was back under the covers all snuggly cosy once again.....only moving back to her rug when she heard him getting up in the morning.     And remember folks...there was no central heating in those days....so she was a welcome hot water bottle during the wintry nights.   Now in this day and age when everyone is obsessed with hygiene and cleanliness....I have probably caused quite a few folks to have palpitations....but I have reached this grand old age without any serious health issues....in fact it has been said I have the constitution of a horse....so a little dirt and contact with animals never did me any harm......and to let you into a little secret...my best friend still sleeps on the bottom of my bed.....yes it's The Budster I'm referring to....but I draw the line at him sleeping under the duvet......give him an inch and he would take a mile...I would probably end up kipping on the floor....in fact it's a bit of a race to get into bed and get your legs down before he flakes out.....otherwise it's a night of sleeping with your knees up at your chin and believe me....I have problems enough uncurling this old body in the morning at the best of times.

Catch up with you all later...don't know if it will be tomorrow....got up this morning with a crick in my neck....a tad painful when I try to turn my head....you could say I am a pain in the neck today and who am I to disagree.

Hugs Kath xxx

Playtime.....

Morning folks....well the gorgeous weather seems to have decided to move elsewhere....it's turned a bit chilly  but I'm not complaining at least it's dry at the moment......and once again the cubbyhole beckons....I am not overloaded with crafty work this week....blimey that makes a change....so I've had a bit of time to play with my brand new Hero Arts.   I have been a Hero Arts fan right from the beginning of my stamping addiction...and I love their big background stamps or design blocks as they are now called.   I still use some of the golden oldies on a regular basis....one of my favourites being the Friends Background stamp....but I can't wait to get my hands on their new Artists Proofs which are gorgeous....hopefully at this moment in time they are winging their way across the Atlantic from Simon Says Stamps and will be arriving here soon....pop over for a little look....but don't blame me if you have no willpower.

My favourites at the moment are S5316...Silhouette Grass....
edited to add: woo....hooo...this card just got a mention on Hero Arts Twitter

and H5312.....Silhouette Burst

2 very different cards with the same stamps.....but sadly playtime is over.....need to get some little tidy-up decorating jobs done before the tiler comes to work his magic...oh I am so excited....I could soon be taking up residence in my lovely new comfy cosy bedroom once again.....catch up with you all tomorrow.

Hugs Kath xxxx