A bit of this and that.....and fabbie news !!!

Morning folks.....and what is the weather going to do today....don't know about where you are but it's been positively arctic up here in the top right hand corner of the country....I am seriously thinking about looking out my thermal vest and for our doggie strolls...the cosy gloves..and just when you least expect it the sun decides to put his hat on and all the layers have to come off again...is it summer...autumn or winter....who knows.
I have some faberoonie news to share with you all......I did promise myself some time ago that I wouldn't take on any more Design Team work....but my willpower has just flown out of the window.....sometimes an invitation comes along that you wouldn't turn down in the month of Sundays.....well not if you are a ribbon and button fanatic like me...the lovely Andrea and Mary have asked me to join their design team....I am going to be a RIBBON GIRL.....and I like the "GIRL" bit.

and without any hesitation whatsoever the answer was YES YES YES....well would you have been able to resist the chance to play with lots of gorgeousness....I thought not...so I rest my case and remember it is a GIRL'S prerogative to change her mind once in a while. Click on the logo to pop over to the Ribbon Girl online shop for a browse and I dare YOU to resist temptation.

What's on my "to do list" this week.....would you believe that the cubbyhole is in Christmas mode.....lots of ideas whirling around in my head and I am off to play with some yummy goodies which crash landed in the cubbyhole last week.

I have a sneaky feeling this is going to be my favourite Hero Arts Christmas stamp this year

 a little sneaky peek of my DT card for tomorrow's challenge over at Get Funky

But it's time to brave whatever the weather decides to throw at us today and set off for our stroll.....me all wrapped up cosy and warm and The Budster....well he already has all the insulation he needs...catch up with you all bright and early tomorrow for another nosey around WOYWW and a brand new challenge over at Get Funky

Hugs Kath xxx

For the Boys

Morning folks....yesterday didn't quite turn out as planned.....the weather was horrendous...started off blowing a gale....freezing but dry...could it get any worse....oh yes...halfway round our morning stroll it started  chucking it down and not just any old rain.....the monsoon variety and we arrived home drenched....me feeling rather sorry for myself with my grumpy face on and Buddy not giving two hoots.....he doesn't do grumpy.
After a warming cuppa it was off to the cubbyhole to finish off the cards for Postpals....

and Buddy had to join in too

but life has a way of putting things into perspective and I was well and truly brought right back down to earth with a huge bump when I popped over to Postpals to choose who I was sending the cards to.....we are all guilty of mumping and moaning about the petty little things that annoy us in our lives and forget that there folks facing far more traumatic events.    I spent the morning reading all the children's stories and it's heartbreaking to see all their happy smiling faces when they have so much pain and suffering in their young lives.....poor Buddy didn't know what was happening.....me crying and him licking my face trying to make it all better.  A truly humbling experience and I'm sure you can find the time to make even one card and bring a moment of joy into a child's life.

Hugs Kath xxx

Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Morning folks from a windswept chilly but at the moment dry North East of Scotland and a quickie post today....up to my elbows in Kraft Card....rubber stamps...ribbons...buttons and all things crafty but had to take some time out to take part in a great challenge this week over at Daring Cardmakers.   The dare this week has been set by Asia and she would like us to make a.....

THINKING OF YOU CARD

to send to one (or more) of the children on the Postpals website

I'm sure you can all spare the time to make at least one card and bring a little joy into a child's life

Kraft Card
Image: Penny Black....Sweet Thing
Sentiment: Hero Arts...Mi Casa
Flowers: Provocraft Die
Gems from stash

and there's a super duper prize on offer this week from "The Ribbon Girl"

look at all those gorgeous co-ordinating  ribbons and buttons

I've been busy cutting up Kraft card for the "make and takes" and had lots of odd bits left over....perfect for matting onto these cute dinky scalloped edge cards from Craftwork Cards...a simple image and sentiment and you have a quick card which is perfect for making a batch....off to get some more images stamped out and find something for the boys and then I can do the colour work and the sticking together tonight while I am snuggled up on the sofa with The Budster watching TV.....but the cubbyhole awaits so catch up with you all later

Hugs Kath xxx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge...Week 116

Morning Folks...it's Saturday and time for another challenge at Penny Black Saturday and for all you lucky folks south of the border....a Bank Holiday weekend...hope the weather improves and you can get out and about and enjoy some sunshine.    Big thank you to all the lovely Penny Black lovers who joined in the fun last week and made lots of fabulous cards with Domi's sketch.

The challenge this week is

SUMMER LOVIN 

Papers: Bo Bunny
Image: Penny Black "Hugs"
Ribbon: American Crafts
Flowers: Prima
Pearls: Hobby House
Martha Stewart Border Punch
Sentiment: Sizzix "Bug In A Rug" Alphabet

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

15% lifetime discount voucher from P B Stamps

pop over for a visit and feast your eyes on thousands of Penny Black Stamps including the new Christmas Collection
and from Fantastic Ribbons

a pack of black and white buttons (150 approx) the white buttons are ideal for colouring with your Copics or Promarkers

and once again it's definitely worth a visit to check out the different button selections and lots and lots of gorgeous ribbons and fantastic special offers

Well that's it from me....remember to pop over and check out all the gorgeous cards from my lovely teamies....now it's your turn to look out your Penny Blacks and get inking.   Happy Stamping Everyone.

Hugs Kath xxx

A bit of news and a sneaky peek

Morning folks....yesterday did not go according to plan....what should have been a nose to the grindstone worky kind of a day turned out just the opposite....after the eventful start to my week....I decided that this crafty girl needed a little TLC....so I jumped in the jalopy and took myself off to.....you know where....for a coffee and a chat with the lovely Anne at Simply Create and to be honest I think the car knows it's own way there all by itself.  
Time for a little reminder for all you crafty folks who live within driving distance of the event being held on 4th September in aid of Save The Children in Alford Village Hall

TO CROP OR NOT TO CROP

that is the question....whether it be nobler...and all that jazz...don't worry if you are not a scrapbooker....it's for cardmakers and general crafty folks too...free tea and coffee on tap....a sales table with silly prices...challenges with fabulous prizes and if you are really brave you can join me for a blether and some fun make and takes.....what better way to spend a Saturday....so forget about the household chores and come meet up with lots of lovely crafty folks.....it will be great fun and you will be helping to raise funds for a very worthwhile cause......click  HERE for more details.   I f you do intend coming along Jaqui would appreciate if you could give the shop a call on 019755 6410 as they need to know the numbers for lunch......you wouldn't want to miss out on a yummy lunch...would you.

And a big thank to my bloggy buddies for giving me these fabulous awards.....I really do appreciate you thinking of me and sorry I am so late in posting them on here.....off having fun when I should be attending to more important matters.....

from Sarpreet

from Jacqui   Jane and Carol

obviously I know Jacqui from Simply Create and I was lucky enough to meet up with the lovely Jane at the SECC in March....hope to see you again in October...please come and say hello...and my lovely bloggy bud Carol who I finally got to meet at the NEC in  March but I have yet to meet Sarpreet.... who knows maybe one day

and I have to tell you 3 things I love about myself....well here goes.....
my model looks and hour glass figure
the fact that I have reached this grand old age without a wrinkle
my ability to resist temptation

who am I trying to kid....No4 would have to be my ability to tell such huge porky pies without even batting an eye....and of course I am supposed to pass this on to 7 other folks....say no more...you know me well enough by now when it comes to things like this.....I have to pass because I couldn't possibly choose out of all the fabulous blogs out there.

Just time for a little sneaky peek before it's back to the cubbyhole for a serious WORK day.....

and where has the week gone....in fact where has the month gone.....fast heading for September and crikey before we know the preparations for Christmas will be underway....well if that hasn't sent you scurrying back to your bed to hide under the duvet....I will catch up with you all tomorrow for another fabby challenge over at Penny Black Saturday

Hugs Kath xxx
Edited to add: oops sorry I got a bit muddled up with the awards...all sorted now...sorry folks

Lord Tim of Holtz Inspired

Morning folks and no more disasters in the cubbyhole I am pleased to say....frantically touching wood and good news in the Big Shot saga....I got an e-mail apologising for the problems I had and advising me that the errant machine would be picked up by courier and I will get a full refund and no-one was more surprised than me when the courier turned up yesterday morning just as I finished parcelling it up....so far so good.....looks like the "declare war" hat will be winging it's way back to the cupboard and no more motorised die cutters for me.....reverting back to the old...much more reliable...turn the handle Big Shot.     And despite my traumatic evening I did manage to finish my Lord Timmie of Holtz project for the challenge this week over at Simon Says Stamp & Show

ANYTHING....LORD TIM OF HOLTZ INSPIRED

I decided to make a little wall hanging for the cubbyhole because when I'm in there....time does indeed just fly.....I can lose myself for hours just playing with some of my favourite crafty stuff and Tim's stuff comes right up there at the top of my favourites list

Papers: Tim Holtz Paper Stack: Vintage Shabby

Stampers Anonymous...Tim Holtz Collection...Shabby French

Grunge Paper

Texture Fade....Dot Matrix

Distress Crackle Paint...Antique Linen

Tim Holtz Idea-ology...Game Spinners 

Tim Holtz Distress Inks....Brushed Corduroy....Walnut Stain...Barn Door

Alterations:  Elegant Flourishes...Caged Bird

Grungeboard Alphabet Soup

Adirondack Paint Dabber....Snow Cap

Decoart.....Glamour Dust

and the must use product of the moment....the fabulous tissue tape guaranteed to be on every card until you are all sick of the sight of it....so versatile and very sticky.....I covered SU twill tape with it to make the ribbon but a little tip from me....it's just like a roll of sellotape so once you are finished bend a little bit back on itself....makes it easy to find the end again.....I didn't and it took me about 10 mins of fingertip touchy feely all round the roll before I could use it again.

And have you heard the news that the lovely Linda Elbourne...yes the queen bee over at Simon Says Stamp and Show now appears on the Lord's blog roll.....oh wow how excited she must be and at this moment is probably still stuck to the ceiling....but what I want to know.....what took him so long as her work is totally totally Timmiefantastic.  Catch up with you all later

Hugs Kath xxx
Edited to add: to answer your question....it isn't a working clock but it could be....you can buy the necessary stuff from HERE

What's on my Workdesk Wednesday

Morning folks...it's Wednesday already and time for a rummage through the crafty spaces of lots of lovely crafters who each week share what's on their desks...it's great fun and if you don't know what I am on about or have never joined in...get yourselves over to WOYWW but and it's a BIG BUT....let me warn you it is very very addictive.
Here's what on my desk on this "clouds are clearing but will it stay dry" kind of a day...lots of stuff from Lord Timmie...in the process of making this week's entry for Simon Says Stamp and Show.....

 but it ain't finished yet so in the meantime just a little sneaky peek.....

I was in a real get down and inky with Lord Tim mood last night and things were going swimmingly and as requested yesterday he was sending me lots of his fab inspiration.....until a disaster of gigantic proportions happened....busy running a Texture Fade through The Big Shot Express when suddenly it stopped and the sandwich wouldn't budge.....then hubby informs me that it had fused all the electrical sockets downstairs and that the motor had probably burned out.     Oh pants......but my troubles had only begun....how do I get the sandwich out....according to the manual it's fairly simple....insert the screwdriver provided into the hole as shown and turn...adding that it may need quite a few turns.....well that was the bliddy understatement of the year....a couple of hours completed wasted.......much bad wordies...one broken nail and why did I waste money on a haircut the other day...by the time I was finished I could have pulled the whole lot out....but at least I got my Texture Fade back.

Well these things happen from time to time you might think but surely not to a machine that is only 3 months old.....so it's no longer welcome in the cubbyhole and has been evicted from the die cutting station to be replaced by it's little brother.

all boxed up ready to be returned to whence it came....definitely not a cheap piece of kit and certainly not the quality I expect from Sizzix.  There is no way I am going to accept a replacement or a repair....it's money back or nothing....and woe betide if I don't get my way.....the "declare war big time" hat will be coming out of the cupboard....so watch this space.   Catch up with you all later and fingers crossed that is the last of the misfortunes at least for this week.

Hugs Kath xxx

Craftwork Cards Sketch 7 Challenge

Morning folks and it's time for another sketch challenge over at Craftwork Cards Blog....pop over to see what the rest of the girls on the Design Team have created.....I struggled a bit with this one.....knew what I wanted it to look like but it didn't quite turn out as I thought...you win some and you lose some as they say.

Craftwork Cards...Nursery Rhyme Collection
Flowers: Prima
Buttons and ribbon from stash
Pearls: Hobby House

Would you believe I missed out on last week's challenge over at Simon Says Stamp and Show....but I can't miss out on this one...."Anything...Lord Tim Holtz Inspired" and let's hope that HE who can walk on water as far as I'm concerned is looking down on me and sending some of his fabby inspiration my way.....lots of ideas running around in my head but will they turn out as planned....there ain't no guarantee with this crafting malarkey.    Catch up with you all tomorrow for another rummage around everyone's crafty spaces courtesy of that lovely lady Julia at WOYWW.

Hugs Kath xxx

Blue Moon Winners

Morning folks....a short post today and I won't keep you all in suspense....the winners of the Blue Moon Stamps kindly donated by the lovely Julia at Stampers Supermarket are......

KATHLEEN

ANNE

CHRISTINE B

Congratulations girls and if you e-mail me with your addresses

I will pass them onto Julia who will get your stamps in the post

No crafty stuff to show today.....change of plan yesterday instead of a day in the garden or tackling the huge mountain of "clean but in major need of an iron" clothes....or indeed the cubbyhole I decided to ditch the horticultural..domestic and crafty stuff and take off to spend the day with the kiddywinks....well no contest there really.

And what am I up to today.....first port of call is to get the locks shorn and not a minute before time....another 24 hours and I might just be tempted to get the garden shears out for a DIY job and then it's off to M&S to return stuff I bought the other week....why does nothing fit me anymore....I used to be able to buy size 12 Short Jeans and know they would fit perfectly but now it's a hit or a miss and don't you just hate those "Sit Below the Waist" jobs...constantly feel the need to be pulling the blighters up and why are all the tops designed to hug your figure....well that's fine if you are a skinny-ma-linkie but my bulges are quite happy and don't need a hug thank you very much.  Chances are I will probably arrive home with more "don't quite fit" articles and have to repeat the process all over again...can't quite figure it out....have their sizes gone to pot....am I having a growth spurt...upwards would be nice instead of outwards and in my head I still have that model like...well toned athletes figure...but unfortunately the image in the mirror tells a whole other story.

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

Edited to add: If you are suffering from those Monday Morning Blues....have ever booked a flight with Ryanair or indeed had a bad experience with a cheapy airline....this will cheer you up...be warned...a visit to the loo might be a good idea prior to watching.....click HERE

Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Morning folks...it's been a busy old week and no time to get any challenge cards done....that must be a first for me...I usually manage to squeeze in one or two and when crafting is your job as well as your hobby...challenge cards are playtime for me when I can do what I want rather than working to a theme or a brief.....so on Saturday although the sun was shining and there was lots I could have been doing out in the garden I was suffering serious withdrawals....time to get myself indoors and get inky.
The minute I saw the challenge this week over at Daring Cardmakers I just knew I would have to take part....thank you Jane for such a fun challenge and a real "thinking out of the box" one too.

MATERIAL GIRL
to design a card inspired by an item of clothing

Stampin Up Vintage Vogue
Ink Pads...Versafine Smokey Grey &Onyx Black
Colorbox Queue Rose Coral
I used linen card to stamp on and it really does look as though the flowers have been stamped on fabric

the inspiration from Per Una at M&S

look what arrived in the post yesterday

a gorgeous thank you card from the lovely girls at the Huntly Craft Group......made by Audrey using the same Vintage Vogue Stamp Set....such a sweet thought...thank you all for your kind words and look forward to meeting up with you all again soon for some crafty fun.  And what am I up to today....if the weather holds probably getting down and dirty in the garden or the alternative....tackle the ironing mountain before I run out of clothes to wear......oh bother I would rather be stuck in the cubbyhole playing but that's life as they say.

Hugs Kath xxx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge....Week 115

Morning folks...it's Saturday and time for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday.....three cheers for everyone who joined in the "Feeling Fruity" challenge last week....not the easiest of challenges if you didn't have any fruit stamps but as always you rose to the challenge and I loved all your beautiful cards.

I'm sure you are all going to love this week's challenge which is a fab sketch from our lovely teamie Domi

Background created with Penny Black....Pointille
Stickeroo: Romance of Flowers
Flowers: Prima
Pearls: Hobby House
Ribbon: Simply Create
Buttons & twine from stash
Sentiment: Circle Messages....Craftwork Cards

and the prizes this week for 2 lucky winners chosen at random and announced next Saturday from Alison & Jayne at

Penny Black stamp of the winner's choice

and from Clair & Sharni at

SU Snail & Dimensionals

Look forward to seeing what you all create this week with the sketch and will be popping over to pay you all a visit for my weekly Penny Black treat.  Have you entered your name in the....."Blue Moon Stamp Give-away" yet...if not you only have until tomorrow at 8.00PM GMT.  Catch up with you all tomorrow with hopefully a challenge card....in the meantime Happy Crafting Everyone

Hugs Kath xxx

Losing more than the plot

Morning folks....it's a dreich dismal rainy morning...a disappointment after yesterday's beautiful sunshiney day....my lovely crafty buddy Debbi and I had a great catch up with all our news trip out to Simply Create followed by a coffee and a scone at The Alford Bistro....do they know how to make scones...huge and utterly yummy.  But I am a tad concerned....I was convinced that my lovely buddy Anne would be working yesterday but we arrived to find she wasn't....is this the start of the downward spiral of forgetfulness....am I losing the plot and that is not all I am losing....my faithful "can't craft without" pokey tools are going AWOL faster than I can replace them.    OK they have occasionally fallen into the waste bin but crikey how can you lose 3 in the space of 4 days....one could be considered an accident...3 is definitely carelessness and despite combing through the bin and turning the cubbyhole upside down they have disappeared off the face of the earth....any suggestions as to how I can keep the replacements safe apart from attaching them to my person permanently.   And there's more.... my trusty old corner rounder finally gave up the ghost at the weekend after 10 years of faithful service so I treated myself to a Zutter Round It All....a serious piece of kit so expect to see rounded corners on everything for the forseeable future.
But it's not all doom and gloom....surprise surprise....I  have some crafty stuff to share today......more cards I made for Simply Create with the gorgeous Hero Arts..Antique Engravings Clear Stamp Set and delicious papers from Delish Designs (very aptly named don't you think) Bistro Collection.

Another scrapling and I think I may have confused quite a few people....so let me explain.

Score and fold an A4 sheet of cardstock to make an A5 card.....trim down to 14.25cm x 14.25cm or 5.3/4" x 5.3/4" if you haven't embraced metric yet to make a square card......the bit you have left over is the scrapling.....simples.   Just time for a little sneaky peek...

forgive the pun but check out this delicious ribbon that Debbi spotted and no show without punch I just had to have some too.    It's going to be a "lock myself in the cubbyhole" kind of a day....it's time to have a play with all the yummy stuff that arrived in the cubbyhole recently   I will see you all tomorrow for another fabby challenge over at Penny Black Saturday.

Hugs Kath xxx

Join us on our morning stroll

Morning folks.....no crafty stuff to show today because when I took myself into the kitchen yesterday morning with the sun shining brightly through the windows....the word "pigsty" hit me square between the eyes...if the man from Environmental Health were to pay a surprise visit he would slap a CONDEMNED sticker on the door....so I spent the day wiping and scrubbing to get it all sparkly shiny again.    Contrary to what some folks think I don't spend all day crafting...there are always those pesky household chores to do and lots of doggy strolls to fit in which I must admit I enjoy every bit as much as my furry friend especially the first one in the morning when I have a wee think about any crafty stuff I have to do that day and we are just about to set off so why don't you grab your jacket and pop on your boots and join us on our morning stroll.

first stop on the way to the woods is to say good morning to the gorgeous Slim...
waiting to greet us with a welcome woof...bestest chums since they were hooligan puppies

 we arrive at the woods and he's off...nose to the ground and tail wagging from side to side....all those smells that dogs find irresistible and ever hopeful of picking up the scent of some rabbits to play chase with

"for goodness sake Mum please try and keep up"

are they wildflowers or weeds.....beautiful whatever

the rowan trees are laden with berries....nature's way of providing for the birds through the winter

and a special breakfast treat for me .....wild raspberries growing in abundance and next month there will be loads of blackberries for me to feast on

all too soon it's time to head home and time for his biscuit....if he's been good

no sooner are we home and the kettle is on....

normally it would then be a quick jig round with Mr Dyson and off to the cubbyhole while "His Nibs" catches up on some zzz's but not today....I had intended to pay a visit to Alford just to drop off the samples you understand but hubby put the scuppers on that one when he announced he needed the car.....but all is not lost....my lovely bloggy bud Debbi has been having serious Simply Create withdrawals since she came back from her hols so she offered to pick me up....absolutely no persuasion needed.....yes you've guessed the crafty production line has ground to a halt once more. So naughty when I have loads to do but a girl needs to cut loose and have fun every once in a while....whether I will still be of that mind tonight when I am burning the midnight oil is another matter. So batten down the hatches Anne....the terrible twins are paying you a visit this morning...have the kettle on the boil.

Catch up with you all later

Hugs Kath xxx