Buddy's Goodie Give-away

Morning to all my lovely bloggy buddies...it's your gorgeous bundle of golden deliciousness.. you know me I am normally an upbeat happy chappie kind of a guy but I've been feeling a bit down in the dumps...it seems ages since my Mum went away and 5 days is a lifetime when you are home alone with just Dad.   He tells me she will be home at late o'clock tonight but I don't have a watch so will just have to take up my position by the front door until I hear her footsteps and then I will be turning cartwheels and smothering her with big sloppy kisses.    I can't wait to have her big bum back again to snuggle up against at bedtime....and have a lovely snuggly mega lie in tomorrow morning followed by our fun stroll. Mind you the downside is I will have to sit and look interested in all the crafty gossip from Glasgow and probably have to help unload the crafty shopping but a small price to pay for having my old crafty Mum home again.
And while the boss lady has been away I have been a busy boy rummaging around in the cubbyhole making space for all the new stuff...so it's time for another little goodie give-away with a bit of a Timmie Christmas theme...

Tim Holtz Vintage Shabby Papers and Texture Fade Panels

Christmas Alteration Die-cuts

Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink

Blending Tool
Felt Snowflakes
Rhinestone Bling
and who knows I may just be able to snaffle some new stuff when she's not looking

And you all know the drill by now folks....leave me a comment here before midnight on Thursday 4th November and I will choose a winner on Friday......in the meantime I am off to practise my hang dog face all ready for the big welcome.

Bloggy Hugs & Big Snuggles

BUDDY xxx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge....Week 125

Morning folks...it's Saturday already....Day 3 of my Fiskars Fun at the SECC and today is usually manic...the day that all those lovely crafty shoppers arrive by the busload from all over Scotland with their long saved up pots of gold and boy are they determined to spend it.   Negotiating the aisles for a quick trip to the coffee shop should be made an Olympic event and making your way back with two hot cups of the golden nectar would definitely put you in line to win Gold...regardless of which direction you are going...everyone else is going in the opposite and if the polite excuse me doesn't work it's time to stick out those elbows and go for it.
But it's also time for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday....big thank you to all those who joined in the Spooky Nights fun last week and wow there were lots of scary spooky cards.

The challenge this week is.....

ZIGZAGS OR TRIANGLES

and this one had me stumped as I searched through my paper collection for zig zag paper and then I had a rare moment of inspiration.....and made a Christmas Tree Hanger

Tree shape cut out of sticky back canvas....

lightly inked with Hero Arts Shadow Ink...Soft Leaf

White felt added for snow and a bit of stitching around the edge

Image: Penny Black....Happy & Cool

Snowflakes...Martha Stewart Punch

finished off with lots of bling.....ribbon and button

The prize this week for one lucky winner who will be chosen at random and announced next Saturday is a

15% off lifetime discount voucher from

an Aladdin's cave of all things Penny Black....not even Dick knows exactly how many Penny Blacks he has in stock....over 4000 and counting and he prides himself on his excellent customer service....so pop on over for a browse...you may be there for some time.

Can't wait to see what you all create this week and will be popping over to pay you a visit....in the meantime I am off to get the demo hat and comfy slippers on and will be counting down the hours until my lovely buddies arrive at lunchtime.   The Furry Boy will be joining you tomorrow and he tells me that he has a goodie give-away.....did he ask permission to delve into my crafty stash again....not on your nelly but according to him he's in charge of the cubbyhole at the moment so I have no say in the matter....cheeky blighter.

Catch up with you all on Monday morning if I am still standing

Hugs Kath xxx

Day 2..but who's counting

Morning folks.....that's Day 1 under my belt....all set for another fun filled Fiskars Day and another Simply Create DT project to share with you......a card to match yesterday's Memories Book and this time I altered the image by colouring around the edges with TH Distress Ink....Brushed Corduroy and coloured her bunch of roses with Worn Lipstick.

Just one more sleepie and my lovely buddies Debbi and Anne will be arriving for a spendathon.....I'm so excited but probably not half as excited as they are......bet the suitcases are packed and I wonder if they will sleep tonight......catch up with you all tomorrow over at Penny Black Saturday for another fabby challenge and a yummy prize......I do hope Mr Blogger has been playing ball and not having a "throwing his cornflakes out the bowl" moment.

Hugs Kath xxx

It's Showtime......

Morning folks....well it's showtime folks....all set for Day 1 of Fiskars Fun and this is where you will find me getting paid to play for the next 4 days.

and right next door my bed for the night and....No he doesn't come with the room and thank goodness for that....it will be dinner...a glass of wine and then off to bed to watch TV or snuggle down with a book

By the time you are reading this I will be showered dressed and heading down to tuck into a hearty Full English Breakfast...and for someone who usually just has a coffee and a slice of toast...a bit of a novelty but hey it's very true breakfast sets you up for the day and with a busy busy day of Fiskars Fun ahead....stocking up the body fuel does wonders for the stamina. And the best part of the show for me  is NOT the shopping which you will probably find hard to believe....it's meeting up with lots of lovely crafty buddies and of course working (I use that term very loosely) with my Fiskars matey for the next 4 days...the lovely Lorraine....we always have such a blast and work so well together probably because we are both as daft as brushes....hey it's all about having fun....believe me folks this is definitely not work in any shape or form and if I get a move on and arrive super duper early I can have a bit of a nosey around with Lorraine....grab some stash before they throw the doors open and the mad dash begins.  If you are coming to the show....please come and say hello....we would love to meet you.

Just so you don't think I have swanned off and forgotten all about my lovely bloggy buddies.....another of my DT projects with my Simply Create kit.....a little Memories book and I am loving this vintage look.

flower made up from this gorgeous ribbon

Must dash....just a 2 minute stroll along the river and I will be at work....catch up with you all tomorrow for another Simply Create creation.

Hugs Kath xxx

What's on my Workdesk Wednesday

Morning folks....it's Wednesday and time to play along with the lovely Julia and her What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday or WOYWW to all those of us who are now addicted to this wonderful phenomenon....and if you haven't already joined in the fun where have you been.
Do you get the impression I am waffling a tad here....oh yes and that's because I have absolutely nothing on my workdesk today.....the cubbyhole is deserted.....the suitcase is packed and sitting in the hall ready for the taxi to arrive...

and after lunchtime I will be speeding my way to Glasgow with Mr Scotrail doing the driving....did I happen to mention I am off to the SECC for a four day holiday....I admit there is little chance of sun sand and sangria so no need for the shades and Factor 15 but hey there are also no deadlines or schedules to worry about.....just stress free fun....great company and the best bit...no cooking or household chores either. And my travelling companions on this little trip will be my ever so cute tote and matching slippers.

the tote will be perfect to hold all the things I need for each day....my Fiskars Apron....my best friend slippers....purse just in case I feel a crafty spend coming on....a bottle of water...the essential lippy and mobile phone......everyone should have one darling....don't you think.     If YOU want one...the fabric...pattern and full instructions will be available very soon from Simply Create.
What do I have planned for my first night away from home....painting the town red...I don't think so....I was thinking of having a Room Service kind of a night relaxing and watching telly but a change of plan....it's dinner with the Set Up Team.....Severine Richard and Lorraine and it will be great to have our twice yearly catch up but that means I am going to miss this week's Apprentice fix....the best of Britain's business brains....are they having a laugh....is it any wonder that Britain is in such a mess if this bunch of numpties are the folks running the country's businesses.   But it's great fun to watch and I wonder who will kicked out tonight...hope it's that motor mouth and her name escapes me with the short blonde hair and glasses...excellent at opening her mouth and letting all the hot air escape but total rubbish at everything else including working a calculator.
Well toodle oo for now....I have scheduled some posts while I am missing from bloggyland....and let's just hope that all the grovelling I have done to the ever so nice Mr Blogger pays off.  Glasgow here I come.

Hugs Kath xxx

One More Sleepie

Morning folks....yes just one more sleep for me before I head off....unfortunately that means 4 more sleeps for Anne and Debbi but hang in there girls....Saturday will be here before you know.   Thank you for all your lovely comments yesterday on my feature over at Inspirational....you are all so kind and I really appreciate it folks...it makes all the blood sweat and tears worthwhile.....who am I trying to kid.....it's only playing with stamps and bits of paper...hardly work after all.  And I'm not getting my knickers in a twist about the samples.....as usual it will be "Alright On the Night"....just hope that my lovely Fiskars Matey Lorraine has been more productive than me....
And time to play with another of my favourite Fiskars new products....the Squeeze Punch Large Bird...perfect to use as an Easter Chick or on a Baby card but hey the show will be jam packed with all things Christmassy so it was time for him to don his cute ROBIN REDBREAST outfit and isn't he sweet.

I am a big fan of the Squeeze punches....so easy to use that even tiny tots can work them...they do exactly what it says on the tin.....no pressing or thumping just....SQUEEZE and if you are reading this Fiskars....we need lots more designs.

Today is going to be a "looking out duds" for the next 5 days kind of a day.....piling everything up ready for packing in the morning and in the afternoon a mega "sort out the Tim Holtz inky nails" session.

Catch up with you all tomorrow for another WOYWW....and that should be interesting considering the cubbyhole is all tidied up and looking rather deserted.

Hugs Kath xxx

All of A Dither....

Morning folks from your going slightly bonkers bloggy buddy.....yes I am all of a dither....would you believe I have made exactly ONE sample so far for the SECC.....need to get my skates on and power up to maximum speed as there are only 2 days left until I hit the road for Glasgow..

My lovely Fiskars matey Lorraine and I will be launching the brand new Fiskars "Everywhere Punch Window System" at the show....

enabling you to punch absolutely anywhere on your page.....slap bang right in the middle of a 12 x 12 sheet if you so wish and to be honest I thought that this was going to involve lots of faffing around but being a Fiskars Punch this is a serious piece of kit and once you get the hang of lining up the grid.....you can punch multiple windows anywhere.  I'm sure that Fiskars stipulate a maximum weight of card that this will punch through but I don't do instructions and threw away the leaflet....I punched through 300gsm cardstock on the above card no problem at all so if you are coming to the show...you are very welcome to come along to Stand K20 and have a play.

And weeeheeee I got a little toot this morning....my lovely bloggy buddy Dawn has featured my altered Christmas Wall Hanger over at Inspirational....

how lovely is that....thanks a bunch Dawn for your lovely kind words.   I so enjoyed making this wall hanger I've decided to make another and picked up some bits and pieces on my last jaunt out to Simply Create....

but will have to stash these goodies away out of sight until the samples are in the bag....catch up with you all tomorrow and fingers crossed the production line will have been going at full speed and there are a few more to share.

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited to add:    according to my lovely Fiskars matey....Lorraine a fountain of knowledge when it comes to all things Fiskars ...the maximum card weight for the Everywhere Punch System is 220 gsm.....oops

A Nora Batty Moment

Morning folks...it's going to be all go this week....I'm drowning in a sea of crafty stuff and so much left to do before I leave on Wednesday for Glasgow....but hey all work and no play is tres boring so I took a little jaunt  out to Simply Create on Friday to get some advice from the sewing guru...my lovely buddy Anne about glamming up the old demo slippers ready for the SECC.....yes you did read that correctly....I will be wearing  my super duper comfy M&S slippers for 4 days....have even been known to stroll back to the hotel wearing them....happy feet means HAPPY ME.  But now I have matching tote and slippers...how elegant darling....check out the ballet pose.....I didn't quite pull off the prima donna look....more like Nora Batty.

and more time out for fun on Saturday to visit my lovely buddy Debbi who was wowing everyone at the Papeterie with her Promarker demo.

Anne and Debbi are in mega excited mode..only 6 more sleepies girls....they are coming to the Hobbycraft show at the SECC for the first time...think of kids in a sweetie shop and you get the idea and the best bit they are staying overnight on Saturday at the same hotel. Will we be painting the town red....somehow I don't think so....we will be quite happy with a nice relaxing evening...yummy dinner...a few drinks and lots of chat and giggles...after all they have another serious day's shopping on the Sunday before we all travel home on the train........Glasgow and Scotrail BEWARE !!!
And woohooo this little card was a Fab 5 winner over at the Holiday Cardmaking Competition on the Hero Arts Blog.....a big thank you to Hero Arts for cheering up this old crafter and choosing my card out of all the fabulous entries.    The prize is a bumper $50 of Hero Arts goodies.....so the catalogue will be coming to bed with me for the next few nights and decisions decisions....what to choose.

Catch up with you all tomorrow
Hugs Kath xxxx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge....Week 124

Hi Folks....crikey it's the weekend again before you know and time for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday....you obviously all loved Debby's sketch as much as the team did and wow you well and truly rocked it with fabulous cards.
We have some fabulous news to share with you all....we have an addition to our happy little band of Penny Black lovers....yes the Penny Black Saturday Team  has a new member....the lovely and very talented JENNY has agreed to come on board...we are over the moon and were cock-a-hoop when she said YES.....so pop on over and give her a great big Penny Black welcome.

The challenge this week is.....

SPOOKY NIGHTS

to get you all in the mood for Halloween....the time for witches..warlocks..ghouls and all those scary things that go bump in the night to make an appearance.......

Papers: WeRM...Nonsense collection

Image...Penny Black...Beware The Dog

Fence..Tim Holtz Alterations

Sentiment...American Crafts Fabric Stickers

Ghosts...Quickutz Die

Ribbon from stash

Must confess I struggled with this one....not really into making Halloween Cards....in fact not really into Halloween...but it's great fun for the kids with their trick and treating and it brings back childhood memories of visiting the farmer up the road to beg for the hugest turnip in the pile....hours carving it out and stinking up the house for weeks after and then coming home on the night laden down with bags of apples oranges sweets and if you were very lucky a sixpence or two which in today's money was 2.1/2p......the good old days.

And the prize this week for one lucky winner who will be chosen at random and announced next Saturday is from Fantastic Ribbons

4 Rolls of Ribbon of the Winner's choice

And if you are a ribbon addict like me.....pop over and check the huge selection of ribbons and buttons to tempt you....special bulk buy deals and special offers and if you are attending the Hobbycraft Show at the SECC.....Fantastic Ribbons will be on Stand K12 so make sure you pay them a visit....say hello to Keith and see the fantastic range of ribbons on offer in the flesh and not my fault if you have no willpower.

Can't wait to see all your spooky nights cards this week....will be popping by as usual to pay you a visit.
Catch up with you all tomorrow for my Nora Batty moment...happy crafting everyone.

Hugs Kath xxx

Anything but a card

Morning folks....well blow me over with a feather I have actually managed to enter a challenge this week and not any old challenge....one of my favourites....Simon Says Stamp and Show....I haven't found time to join in any challenges for a few weeks and am beginning to suffer from major withdrawals.....not a good thing believe me.  The challenge this week is....

ANYTHING BUT A CARD

and it couldn't have worked out better...a case of killing two birds with one stone.....the altered wall hanger I was making for my DT project this month over at Simply Create just fits the bill perfectly....don't you just love when a plan comes together.....

 and just for luck a sidey-on rather blurry dimensional view

Between you and I......I love this so much I doubt if it will ever reach Alford as a sample but I won't tell if you don't....I have every intention of keeping it just for me and it's just a shame that the photos don't show the texture and fabulous sparkle.
Catch up with you all tomorrow over at Penny Black Saturday....we have some fabulous news to share with you all....a brand new challenge and a yummy prize......see you later.

Hugs Kath xxx

Saved by the weather

Morning folks....I had a sneaky feeling that this was going to be a load of old waffle kind of a day....nothing crafty to post as I desperately try to catch up with the list of things to do....but the good old British weather came to the rescue and saved you all from me waffling on about this that and the other.  And all credit to the folks from the Met Office who for once got the forecast right on the button.
But when they mentioned SNOW I just assumed it would land on the hills so what a shockeroonie yesterday morning as I sat at the computer with the first cuppa of the day and had a little peek out the window...no my eyes were not deceiving me.....it was snowing HEAVILY and cold enough for it to lie.....oh dearie me.....is this really the start of winter.

Time to look out the Edmund Hillary gear...boots and warm gloves for our chilly early morning stroll.  And I was not the only one feeling a bit surprised and confused. As my lovely visitors on Tuesday would tell you The Furry Boy loves when folks come to call and goes into doggie hyperdrive until he has made sure that everyone has been well and truly welcomed but I had him totally confused yesterday morning......a priceless moment.

As I sat all cosy and warm bang up against the toasty radiator catching up on a Timmie Technique Video with His Nibs fast asleep at my feet.....the dulcet tones of the Lord Himself echoed around the cubbyhole...."Hey bloggers...It's Tim Holtz here" at which point my snuggly meeter and greeter went into welcome mode.....shot out of the cubbyhole towards the front door tail wagging and then back again.....standing in the doorway with a priceless expression on his face....then he went into search mode....where is this visitor who is speaking to my Mum.....under the chair....behind the desk...searching and sniffing every nook and cranny before finally giving up and going back to snooze mode with a great big sigh......probably thinks he has succumbed to his Mum's totally losing the plot problem.

And news of a fabulous fabulous give-away for you all from the Craftwork Cards Blog

To celebrate the launch of their NEW RIBBON COLLECTION....they are giving away an amazing blog candy.... a gorgeous Ribbon Give-Away....worth.....£127.00

Your chance to win 1 metre of every ribbon from the stunning collection which has 8 fabulous finishes...velvet.. grosgrain..super sheer..micro dot. polka dot..gingham..stripes and satin all in an astonishing array of colours...226 metres in all... stylishly presented in storage cases.  To find out how to enter click HERE

Well that's it folks....I am definitely having a huge sulk because I can't enter and you know how I love my ribbons...having a stamping my feet and bottom lip hitting the floor moment...in the meantime I hope you are all snuggly and warm where you are and hang onto your galluses folks....I will be back tomorrow with the altered wall hanger which surprise surprise may just fit one of this week's challenges....life is full of surprises wouldn't you agree.

Hugs Kath xxx

What's on My Workdesk Wednesday

Edited to add.....breaking news........after a quick peek out to see what the weather is doing this morning......it's snowing HEAVILY.....oh my giddy aunt.....is this really the start of winter....
Morning folks...did I have a real fun day yesterday in the cubbyhole with my lovely crafty buddies Anne...Debbi and Lyn....they are such sweethearts but all good things must come to an end and now it's back to the mad mad world of trying to meet deadlines and the list of crafty things to do just seems to get longer and longer....but time for just one more little bit of fun before it's nose to the grindstone.....yes it's Wednesday once again and time to play along at WOYWW....a chance for all us nosey parkers to have a snoop around all those crafty desks and I have to say that I failed miserably last week not managing to visit many at all....must try and do better this week.
So what's on my workdesk today.....still my Simply Create DT kit and I'm not making much progress with it at all....my altered wall hanger is still unfinished

and I can't wait to play with these little cuties...not quite big enough for the NYC trip but perfect for storing the cubbyhole's little bits and pieces once they get the Timmie Holtz treatment....

but that will not be anytime soon because this has just arrived at the cubbyhole...all the new Fiskars products for me to play with and make samples ready for the SECC....and crikey I leave a week today so I need to get those crafty fingers working overtime.....

but first I have to get them all out of the packaging...nightmare springs to mind I remember the last time only too well.  My lovely buddy Anne ....the sewing queen tells me that I shouldn't be using my paper scissors when working with fabric.....so this new addition to the Fiskars Scissors Family may well be my new sewing scissors.....blimey they are huge compared to my other favourites....but perfect for cutting material.

Off to put the kettle on for a cuppa and chill out before my battle with the packaging and then it's time to have a play with the brand new Everywhere Punches which Lorraine and I will be launching at the SECC....so the demo needs to be top notch and up to speed...no pressure then.   Catch up with you all later.

Hugs Kath xxx

Nothing going according to plan.....

Hi folks from a dark very breezy and probably rainy day later in the North East of Scotland and as per usual the day starts off with The Furry Boy and his Mum setting off for our morning stroll....well today it may end up more of a canter because we need to be back sharpish and have a quick dance around with Mr Dyson before my special visitors arrive.   I just know we are going to have a fun day with lots of chat and laughter and no doubt the lovely Debbi will be reminding us all of how many sleeps until she arrives at the SECC....my word is the girl excited or what about her trip to Glasgow.    Debbi will be demo-ing Promarkers on the Angel Crafts Stand M17 on Sunday...time to be advised....so pop over to say hello and pick up lots of fabulous hints and tips on how to use your Promarkers ...I will be there...well that is if my lovely Fiskars matey Lorraine let's me have a skive off.  And if you live locally....Debbi will also be doing a demo day at The Papeterie this Saturday from 10.30am - 4.30pm....so don't miss out folks on the perfect chance to watch the Promarker Queen at work.
I had great plans for yesterday intending to make a challenge card or two but hey just when you think you have the day all mapped out....it never seems to go according to plan.  I did manage to make a start on my DT stuff for Simply Create and wooo...hoooo I am loving this vintagey look....did struggle to begin with but once I put my Tim Holtz hat on....we were away and running....still a bit more work needed on it...but here is a little sneaky peek.....

and wait until you see what else I picked up at Simply Create.....oh I am in love and will share them with you all tomorrow on WOYWW.   Well must dash...the girls will be arriving in a few hours and will expect the kettle to be on.

Hugs Kath xxx

The Ribbon Girl Challenge 2

Hi folks....yes it's me again and before I dash off to get stuck into all those pesky household chores.....some Ribbon Girl news......you all loved the last challenge so Andrea and Mary have decided to make it a regular feature on the Ribbon Girl Blog....another chance for you to win some fabulous Ribbon Girl goodies....

The challenge this month is to create a project using Red and Green as your main focus colours.....the challenge will close on Sunday 31 October at midnight UK time and the winner will be chosen at random to receive this delicious bundle of Ribbon Girl goodies....

and that's not all......The Ribbon Girls are giving away these 3 gorgeous mitten hangers made by our guest designer the lovely and mega talented Gail.   Aren't they stunning....to see close up pics of the gorgeous details on each one.....head over now to the colour challenge and to see more of Gail's stunning work....check out her blog.

I don't have to tell you how much I love ribbon and had great fun making my Christmas tree card with the gorgeous red and green ribbons in my DT kit.

(spotty organza, gingham ribbon, gold star pin and diamante flower ribbon buckle)

Can't wait to see what you all create this time round and will be popping over to pay you all a visit.  In the meantime happy ribbon crafting....hugs kath xxx