Penny Black Saturday Challenge...Week 112

Morning folks...it's Saturday and the last day of July....can you believe how fast the weeks are going... I don't want to be a party pooper but let's face it we are rushing headlong now towards Christmas..believe me it will here before you know.....and wowee loads of fabulous inspiration from you all for our "It's Christmas in July Challenge" last week...quite a few ideas I will be storing away for my usual rushing at the last minute Christmas Card making session.....thanks to everybody who joined in the fun last week and it was lovely to see some new faces too.
The challenge this week from Penny Black Saturday is a recipe....time to look out your aprons and ingredients and cook up some fabulous cards to share with us all.....

READY STEADY COOK

1 Circle....2 Papers and 3 Flowers

Papers: Delish Designs...High Tea Collection

Image: Penny Black....Poppy Poem

Circle cut with Cricut George & Basic Shapes

Flowers: Petaloo

Gems and Ribbon from stash

Sentiment: TH Adage Ticket

Eyelets: WeR Memory Keepers

would you believe this one nearly turned into a disaster....oh yes you probably would going by my past record of diving in before I read the challenge.....yes Mrs Numptie forgot about the circle but managed to salvage  what could have ended up "a start all over again" card.

and we have 2 fabulous prizes this week for the lucky winners who will be chosen at random and announced next Saturday

from PB Stamps

15% lifetime discount voucher to spend in the online store

absolutely packed to the rafters with our beloved Penny Blacks and I don't think even Dick knows how many stamps he has for you to buy

and from Fantastic Ribbons

4 Rolls of Ribbons of the winner's choice

another wonderful online store and if you are a ribbon..button and lace addict like me

I would suggest that you make yourselves a cuppa and have a browse

For some wonderful inspiration pop over to Penny Black Saturday and check out the gourmet feast that our fabulous Design Team have cooked up this week.  Can't wait to see what you all create this week and will be popping over for my weekly helping of Penny Black inspiration.

Catch up with you all tomorrow for a brand new challenge over at Get Funky...I will be loading up the car later today for another try at the Car Boot tomorrow.....weather depending of course....fingers crossed third time lucky.

Hugs Kath xxx

Craftwork Cards Sketch 5 Challenge

Morning folks...can't believe already we are up No 5 for the sketch challenge over at the Craftwork Cards Blog and all you have to do to join in the fun is create a card using Craftwork Cards product with your interpretation of the sketch.....e-mail your entry to info@craftworkcards.com before Friday 6th August and you could be the lucky winner of a fabulous prize.
My lovely bloggy bud Carol was the winner of the Sketch No 4 challenge....so pop over and see her yummy prize.

Background created with Hero Arts...Dots and Flowers

Papers: Craftwork Cards....Blossom Collection

Image: Craftwork Cards....Colour Me Ovals...."Des Res"

Flowers: Prima

Ribbon from stash

Card Candy...Craftwork Cards....Ice Gems
Fiskars Apron Lace Punch

And this stitching on cards is becoming rather addictive...check out the stitching round the oval...blimey it wasn't easy...had to go dead slow and concentrate..almost finished and getting a bit cocky it all went pear shaped at the top right hand corner but hey a few flowers stragetically placed and who would know.

And its Oscar time again......the 2nd Card Oscars will be held at the Great Northern Papercraft  Extravaganza Show in Harrogate on Saturday 11th September....your chance to be the star of the show and get your very own Card Oscar along with some amazing prizes.....

For details of how to enter.....click HERE

Time for our morning stroll....the sky is blue and not a cloud in sight....no need to take a rain jacket for a change.....but I am seriously running way behind schedule in the crafty department so it's going to be a stuck indoors head down and get crafting kind of a day....catch up with you all tomorrow for another fabby challenge over at Penny Black Saturday......I still have my DT card to make....so I had better get my skates on.

Hugs Kath xxx

Pink Lady....

Morning folks....no cards to show today....just the old gal waffling on about this that and the other starting off with my fun afternoon yesterday at THE PINK LADIES CLUB at Simply Create with the nicest group of crafty girls....mind you if truth be told  there was more nattering and drinking coffee than actual crafting but in between setting the world to rights we just had time to make this.....and yes it is a red spotty doily...isn't it sweet

Had a bit of a rush to get ready for my date with THE PINK LADIES.....running at the last minute to shower and change out of my cubbyhole grubby duds and no time for lunch.....so I grabbed a Galaxy Ripple on my way out the door......my new chocolate addiction....absolutely yummy and devoured it on the way to Alford but obviously not every last bit of it because when I stepped out of the car my trousers were smeared with lumps of chocolate.....not a good look so it was a quick dash to the loo to get scrubbing.....yes the stains did come out but I was left with soaking wet trousers...goodness knows what my new crafty friends were thinking...."incontinent old biddy" probably.    Thanks for a lovely relaxing afternoon girls and now that I am officially a PINK LADY I look forward to our next get together.
As it may be quite some time before I can share my TOP SECRET PROJECT with you...here's a little sneaky peek and for all those who enquired about the papers in my sewing machine yesterday...they are from the gorgeous Blossom Collection at Craftwork Cards.

And to answer another question...do I stand up to craft....yes indeedy....old habits die hard but I do have somewhere to park my bum but rarely use it because.....

more often than not....it is occupied by the "Things To Do" box

and if you are still with me and have not dozed off...what is the world coming to...parcel deliveries at 8.30 in the evening.....that's definitely a first....the Martha Stewart TSV from QVC...I couldn't resist this gorgeous snowflake combo...were you tempted too

Well I had better get a move on.....my gorgeous hooligans will be arriving any minute to spend the day with Grandma and if there is going to be a crafty post tomorrow....it will have to be a "burning the midnight oil" kind of a night.....catch up with you all later

Hugs Kath xxx

Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Morning folks....the challenge this week over at Daring Cardmakers has been set by my lovely buddy Lynda and sponsored this week by Teri's Delicious Doodles

LAYER IT UP

and it's not very often that I wax lyrical about my own cards....well as you know us crafters are a bit critical of our own stuff....but I am rather smitten with this one.....absolutely adore this gorgeous poppy image from Hero Arts and it was shouting out for a bit of layer work....

Papers: Delish...High Tea Collection

Image: Hero Arts: CL440 Delicate Blossoms

coloured with TH Distress Ink....Aged Mahogany & Peeled Paint

Martha Stewart Punch

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards

Button and twine from stash

That's all the personal cards done and dusted....time to get my crafty mitts working on a box of yummy goodies that arrived from Craftwork Cards on Saturday.....for a very special project...NO I can't tell you about it yet....I could but then I would probably have to hunt you down and seal your mouth with parcel tape...pop over tomorrow as you may just get a little sneaky peek or two when I join in the fun at WOYWW.  See you all later....Hugs Kath xxx

Allsorts Challenge...62

Morning folks ....summer can't seem to make up it's mind whether to stay or not so we decided to have a little summery make-over on the blog....just to cheer ourselves up.  Busy old week ahead in the cubbyhole and I did think this would be a "no challenge cards" kind of week.....but I had a few kiddy cards to make and they fit in nicely with the challenge this week over at Allsorts.....

BABY/CHILD

Papers: Pink Petticoat.....Little Check
Image: LOTV....Football Crazy
Stars....Sizzix Die
Sentiment: Hero Arts....Big Hugs
Number: American Crafts...Foam Thickers
Name: TH Grunge Alphabet

Papers: Craftwork Cards...Anglomania
T-Shirt Template....Craftwork Cards
Sentiment: Hero Arts...Big Hugs
Chipboard Alphabet....American Crafts

Time for our morning stroll and then it's home to get stuck into some crafty stuff......still have one personal card to make.....can I make it a hat trick and get another challenge under my belt....catch up with you all later.

Hugs Kath xxx

Sew What's New

Morning folks.....yippee we've had 3 days of sunshine in a row...spoilt aren't we but all that rain last week and being marooned on my crafty island has kick started the creative juices...time to share a little something I made while watching the rain running down the window and the wind howling round the eaves inspired by a project over on the Hero Arts Club Blog by Shari Carroll....she is one talented lady and I love her style....so I thought I would take her idea and run with it.....

"Sew What's New"

Gift Card

plasma pocket

an acetate pocket to hold bits and pieces....a gift card or money

Images: Hero Arts...CL 446 Sew Artsy

Papers: Tim Holtz Shabby Vintage Pack

Ribbon: Simply Create

Buttons..snaps and thread from stash
Flowers Prima

If you want instructions how to make this gift card....you can watch Shari's video HERE. The old crafty brain is ticking away.....wouldn't this be a great idea for Christmas Gift cards.

And something else that's new....have you heard the fabulous news.....we have a new kid on the block....a brand new challenge blog dedicated to vintage coming to a neighbourhood near you very soon.....

SIMON SAYS STAMP AND SHOW

weekly challenges sponsored by the fabulous Simon Says Stamp... kicking off at the beginning of August and heading up the Design Team as Director....is that lovely and mega talented lady....yes the one who can cook sew and craft all at the same time....the one and only ....Linda Elbourne.    I know I will be joining in the fun....well being vintage in years...how could I not.    So why don't you pop over and check out the details...sign up as a follower and be ready to join in the first challenge.

Catch up with you all later.....Hugs Kath xxx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge....Week 111

Morning folks....it's Saturday once again and time for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday.
Well done to all the brave souls who entered the "Anything but a Card" challenge last week....we had decorated candles...gorgeous notebooks and boxes to name but a few....so a big thank you for venturing out of your comfort zones to join in the fun.

The challenge this week is......hold onto your hats folks.....

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

a great chance to make a start on this year's Christmas cards

Paper: Coredinations

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Sizzix: Frame Back Ornate Die

Image: Penny Black....Wishes for Kisses

Cuttlebug Snowflake Die

Ribbon: Simply Create

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards

Gems from stash

Decoart Glamour Dust

and we have fabulous prizes for 2 lucky winners this week

from the lovely Julia at

2 beautiful Penny Black Slapstick stamps

Lofty

and Paisley Swirls

and from the lovely Clair at

13.7M Roll of Red Grosgrain Ribbon

and once again my lovely and mega talented teamies have got well and truly into the Christmas spirit and have made some truly stunning cards to inspire us all.....pop over and check them out.

So it's time to look out your fabulous Penny Black Christmas stamps and get inking....will be popping over during the week to check out your takes on the challenge...in the meantime Happy Christmas Crafting.

Hugs Kath xxx

Summer......who would have thought.....

Morning folks....it's looks like Summer is back and thank goodie goodness for that.....I know we need rain to fill up the reservoirs....to water the crops but do we really need days and days of teeming rain at a time  and being marooned in the cubbyhole wasn't a bad thing....but if you're a dog walker then the word NIGHTMARE springs to mind...all wet...muddy and a sight for sore eyes right enough....perhaps he needs a raincoat and a pair of wellies.

straight into the utility room where a vigorous shake is in order.....now the walls....radiator..washing machine and dishwasher have been decorated with a lovely muddy speckled pattern and I didn't fare much better....my top half is OK thanks to my Goretex jacket which repels water but I have gone through umpteen pairs of jeans and knickers in the last week....3 walks a day = 3 changes of clothes = tumble drier never off.  We have no control over the weather and no amount of huffing puffing and gnashing of teeth makes a jot of difference but the look on my snuggly boy's face says it all.....he is just as fed up of getting wet as the rest of us and doesn't look exactly chuffed being snapped with his doggy towel all ready for a body rub.

time for a little sneaky peek...

and the winners of the Ribbon Give-Away from Fantastic Ribbons are....

ANNE ..FLUFFLES ..JAN
LAURA ..ALEX ..LORA

Congratulations everyone.....if you e-mail me with your addresses I will pop your ribbons in the post.

Well it looks like I will be wearing the same duds all day and His Nibs will spend the day lazing in the garden....fingers crossed.  See you all tomorrow for another fabby challenge over at Penny Black Saturday

Hugs Kath xxx

Papertake Weekly Challenge

Morning folks and don't know about you....but I am totally cheesed off at the weather... RAIN..RAIN.. RAIN and nothing but RAIN....I am trying to remember if it rained on St Swithin's Day which was last Thursday....because as the saying goes it will rain for 40 days and 40 nights but according to the boffins at the Met Office this is a load of baloney....pure folklore....what do they know....they can't even predict the weather a few hours ahead.
But it's not all bad news.....I've been marooned in the cubbyhole all cosy and snug watching the rain lashing against the window....The Budster snoring at my feet... the smell of wet dog wafting around my nostrils...happy as larry and I think even Mr Mojo is glad to be back home out of the rain....lots of crafty stuff done and dusted including a challenge card.

The challenge this week over at Papertake Weekly is......

CUTIE PATOOTIE

and they don't come much cuter than this sweet little missy

Papers: Jenny Bowlin

Image: LOTV....Best Friends..Hug Time

Ribbon: Simply Create

Flowers: Prima

Pearls...Hobby House

Charm from stash

Tim Holtz Fragment

We'll be back tomorrow with our tales of being rather bedraggled and drookit walkers..a little sneaky peek and of course the winners of the Ribbon Give-Away from Fantastic Ribbons.

Hugs Kath xxx

What's on my Workdesk Wednesday

Morning folks....it's time to play along at WOYWW but first let me put you all out of your misery before I share what's on my workdesk today.....oh yes the altered box is finally finished.....

and the perfect place to hold all my favourite little TH bits and bobs

but it's time to move on to what's on my workdesk today and it's gone from the sublime to the ridiculous

my favourite snowflake die

my favourite glitter...in my humble opinion the bestest sparkliest glitter in the world and very aptly named.....Glamour Dust
no project would be complete without a bit of TH inking

my trusty Cuttlebug and lots of white cardstock.....so let's get die-cutting

and before you think that this super organised crafty lady is getting ahead of the game and making a start on her christmas cards....I wish....it will probably be a rushing at the last minute affair as always....why break the habits of a lifetime.
And the product that all fans of the Lord Timmie of Holtziness have been waiting for...to be released at CHA Summer and hopefully soon hot footing it across the Atlantic to the UK.....the new Ranger Craft Scrubbie....

Catch up with you all later.

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited to add.....the Craft Scrubbie is what Tim was referring to when I e-mailed him about my Distress Inky fingers.....HERE

The Pink Elephant Challenge

Morning folks....after a quick jig round with Mr Dyson yesterday the cubbyhole was looking all sparkly clean again but it didn't last for very long once I got back into the crafty swing....why do I always start off by putting all those pesky little squares from the 3D foam pads and scrappy bits and pieces carefully into the bin for the first five minutes and then caution is thrown to the wind and it's back to being a big mess....however would I cope without my trusty Mr D who makes light work of swallowing everything up.
I was looking for a challenge to enter that my crafty wilderness brain could cope with....and lo and behold the challenge this week over at The Pink Elephant ticked all my crafty boxes and it's been far too long since I 've joined in the fun with Ella and the girls

BROWN

Background Hero Arts: S5213..Dots and Flowers

stamped in TH Distress Ink....Old Paper

Image: Hero Arts: K5376....Hydrangea

Sentiment: Hero Arts: CL140... Thinking of You

Twill Ribbon....Stampin Up

Heart Charm from my grungy box

What's on the agenda today....well I am in a bit of a "see what takes my fancy mood"....so who knows but I will catch up with you all tomorrow for another instalment of What's On My Workdesk Wednesday.....the altered book is finished and is all ready to be filled with all my TH bits and bobs and there may be some more goodies arriving today.

Hugs Kath xxx