Penny Black Saturday Challenge....Week 149

Morning folks....it's Saturday and time for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday....we loved all your beautiful "Happily Ever After" cards for last week's challenge and what can I say about yesterday....truly magical....

loved the dress...so elegantly understated....absolutely timeless and stunningly beautiful in it's simplicity....the moving and intimate service in the Abbey....a truly joyous day in this country's history but very emotional...I was in bits the minute I saw William and Harry leaving for the Abbey....reliving the memories of that day in July 1997 when two young boys' lives changed for ever and Diana would have been so very proud of her boys and so happy for William and his new bride...a future King and his beautiful Queen.  The star of the show for me apart from the bride and groom of course was Harry...with his mop of "can't do a thing with it" hair...he looked as though he had just tumbled out of bed....he's so cute I could hug him.
Sadly this week we are saying goodbye to Sylvie our lovely Guest Designer for the month of April....we've loved having her on board and a big thank you Sylvie for sharing your beautiful and inspirational cards with us all.

The challenge this week is....

MILESTONES

a card for a special birthday.....moving home....birth of a baby...retirement...wedding....for those special moments in peoples' lives... 

Papers: Jillybean Soup....Blossom
Image: Penny Black....Whispers
Sentiment: LOTV...Circular Sentiment..For You
Seam Binding...The Ribbon Girl coloured with Broken China Distress Ink
Flowers: Wild Orchid
Pearls....Hobby House

and the prize this week for one lucky winner chosen at random from

15% off lifetime discount voucher
and toot...toot....PB Stamps have the new Penny Black "Touch of Whimsy" Collection for sale in their fabulous online shop along with thousands more of our favourite Penny Blacks....so pop over and visit...

This card will be winging it's way to our lovely teamie Pauline who is celebrating a special birthday this week....yes the big 50.....a real milestone in your life but hey 50 is the new 40 don't you know...

Look forward to seeing what you all create this week and will be popping over to pay you all a visit.....in the meantime happy crafting everyone and wooohoooo we have some mega exciting news to share next week....I am so naughty teasing you all.

Hugs Kath xxx

We're Having A Party....

Morning folks.....it's the day of the Royal Wedding and hoop-de-doo I'm so excited....can't wait to see the dress and for those of us who were not lucky enough to receive an invitation to join William and Kate on their special day.....we are having our very own...

STREET PARTY

and you are welcome to join in....

I was chuffed when the lovely Zoe Beer from The Making Spot ..a brand new website from Future Publishing invited me along with some special friends to join in a Street Party Blog Hop they are hosting  to celebrate this Royal Event and if you have already joined the blog hop procession....you should have arrived here from my lovely buddy ENFYS....if not....pop over to The Making Spot and start from the beginning.   Enfys is currently at her home in Florida...up at silly o'clock to watch the Wedding Of the Year and having a jammie day just like me....waving at you sweetie.

Let me tell you I was a little bit miffed that my invtitation didn't arrive in time....probably sitting in a sorting office somewhere so I decided that I needed a little treat to cheer myself up...a little ROYAL WEDDING PICNIC BASKET....

filled with yummy chocolate cupcakes to snack on throughout the day

Basket Lining....stamped paper with Hero Arts Large Distressed Stripes inked with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink
Bunting: Hero Arts....friendly flags
Divine Bakers Twine and Seam Binding from The Ribbon Girl
Frills for cupcakes....Ruffled Gingham and Lace from The Ribbon Girl
Sentiment: various stickers and American Crafts Thickers
Union Jack flags downloaded from the Internet
Pearls from Hobby House

I'm sorry that I can't share any of my choccy cupcakes with you but there is a super duper prize up for grabs for one lucky party hopper....all you need to do is visit each of the blogs on the hop....collect a letter and then easy peasy..once you have the magic word....pop back to The Making Spot for details of how to enter...

the letter you need to collect from me is....

E

to collect your next letter....you need to pop over and say hello to the lovely....

KIRSTY NEALE 

at Ginger & George

and I have a little give-away to celebrate too...

Papermania Kraft Card
LOTV Cute Squares
Self Adhesive Gems
Ribbons...flowers and pastel buttons....

so leave me a comment here before midnight on 6th May...the winner will be announced on Saturday 7th

I've been up and about since silly o'clock....household chores are done and dusted...The Furry Boy has had a marathon stroll.....Royal Wedding and comfy sofa here I come and I don't intend missing one second...even my Royal Lunch has been pre-prepared...the wedding guests may well be having smoked salmon for lunch but I doubt if it will be accompanied by crisps...

I'll catch up with you all tomorrow for another fabby challenge and prize over at Penny Black Saturday.

Hugs Kath xxx

Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge

Morning folks....can't believe it's Thursday already and I am way behind with the crafty list after taking time out to go and collect Mr Vagabond and I hope I'm not tempting fate again but he's been on his best behaviour so far....mind you I did threaten him with the Die Cutting Naughty Step if he as much as thinks about having a hissy fit.
I am going to have to work my socks off today so that I can join the billion folk watching the Royal Wedding on TV tomorrow....I really envy all the folks who will be lining the streets....the atmosphere will be electric and nobody does the old  procession pomp and pageantry thing quite like us Brits but as my invitation obviously got lost in the post I will just have to be content with waving my Union Jack and cheering from the comfort of the sofa.  And what will I be wearing to the wedding...well I have the perfect outfit....comfortable and trendy....yes my jammies and slippers but I may just look out one of those "only worn once" wedding hats....after all it is a rather special occasion.
And I'm in celebratory mood already....the shadow box is finished and woohoo it's perfect for the challenge this week over at Simon Says Stamp and Show.....

SHOW SOME BUTTONS

and you know me it's all or nothing...and take note each and everyone threaded...
no more slap dash crafting...

oops missed a couple of the little blighters....

No list of ingredients again folks....just heaps and heaps of bits and bobs from my Timmie Holtz stash

And if your invitation to the Royal Nuptials didn't arrive either.....pop over at 8.30am tomorrow and join me and some very special friends for our very own STREET PARTY celebration.

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited to add: sorry folks if you are a tad confused about whose blog you are visiting today....I've been having a play around with backgrounds....for a more summery look.....with oodles of crafty stuff to do what on earth am I thinking about

What's on my Workdesk Wednesday

Morning folks....another week flying in and time to play along at WOYWW...aka Julia's place..where all those lovely crafters allow us nosey parkers to snoop around their crafty spaces....so what's on my workdesk today.

Yes...I finally got round to finishing off the Configuration Box  that I bought at the Artsycrafts Event and oh dear me have I set myself up for a bombardment of flack....yes folks...the crafter who has a real pet hate of naked buttons has committed the cardinal sin and is on her knees begging forgiveness...my buddies Debbi and Tina are probably laughing their heads off at this precise moment and what brought about this change of heart....plain and simple...the thought of threading all these blighters...life's too darned short.

And another of my "fools rush in" moments....now that the outside is decorated how on earth am I going to fit the lid.....but all is not lost...one of those "doesn't happen often enough" moments of inspiration....I cut a piece of chipboard to fit the back and am now in the process of decorating it to make a shadow box...

 voila....two boxes for the price of one....will share when it's finished....and no list of ingredients today...another of those "life's too short" moments...crikey where would I start....let's just say "All Things Timmie"
Hugs Kath xxx

Less Is More Challenge...Week 12

Morning folks and what a difference a day makes...only in this neck of the woods....500 miles nearer the Arctic Circle than London....can it be scorching one day and blooming chilly the next but even I was surprised when I peeked out the window this morning at silly o'clock to see this......

crikey has it been SNOWING....it's not exactly a rare phenomonen for it to snow here in April and May but after focusing the sleepy eyes I realised its only the blossom fluttering down from the old Cherry Tree....

which I've been planning to prune back for years but I don't fancy the job of being up a ladder with a chainsaw and am still on the lookout for a very very nice man who does.....

But enough waffling on about our strange climate variations ...time to share a quickie card (in between alcohol inky sessions) for this week's Less Is More Challenge.....

OFF CENTRE

Background: Unity Stamp Set....All You Need..stamped with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink
Hero Arts: H5312 - Silhouette Burst
Hero Arts: CL383 -Antique Engravings stamped onto Acetate and coloured with Alcohol Ink..Lettuce
Sentiment:  Unity Stamp Set...All You Need
Pearl coloured with Promarker....Hobby House

Off to look out the fleece and cosy scarf for our morning stroll and then back to the job in hand....it's going to be a "having lots of fun with configuration boxes" kind of a day   Catch up with you all tomorrow over at WOYWW and it's anybody's guess what will be on my workdesk.

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited to add: how could I forget to tell you the most important news of the week.....Mr Vagabond The Second has arrived at The Papeterie so I will be on my way soon to go pick him up...let's hope he is better behaved than his older brother.

Thank You..Thank You..Thank You

Morning folks...it's silly morning o'clock in the North East of Scotland....the weekend is over and time to get back to the crafty stuff after a real fun day yesterday with the grandkiddies....where on earth do they get all that energy from....the weather was absolutely scorchio and I was fair tuckered out by the time I got home.  Another busy week in the cubbyhole and if I want to have a "lazing on the sofa..glued to the TV " day on Friday for The Royal Wedding.....I need to get a move on with the samples for my Demo Day at Papercraft Boutique on 7th May...so it's going to be four days of getting all inky and grungy with Tim Holtz....but first...time for some  thank yous for the gorgeous cards that arrived in the cubbyhole last week from.....

my lovely bloggy buddy

Sandra

a super cute thank you card for her goodie parcel...

and my lovely buddy Fiona gave me this gorgeous card when we met up recently  for coffee and a chat

Fiona came along to my Hero Arts....Masking Technique Class at The Papeterie.....I love how she took the technique and did her own thing with it.....isn't it gorgeous....love the colour

Sizzix have now been in touch about my naughty Vagabond...so the biggest thank you of the day is to Tim Holtz for all his help....not only is he a creative genius who is passionate about his products....he's a wonderful Ambassador for the Craft Industry and a fabulous Advocate for customer relations.   TIM...I salute you.....being an American citizen he won't be appearing on the New Years Honours List anytime soon...but in my eyes he is a real toff...a diamond geezer and will always be... Lord Tim of All Things Holtziness.
I wasn't going to tell  you about my huge numptie moment yesterday but hey this is a warts and all diary....so here we go....no laughing please.    I set off on the 45 minute drive to deliver Easter Goodies to the grandkiddies....half way there I realised I had the parcels but had left the Choccy Eggs at home....a quick dash into the nearest Tesco and it's sorted...who's ever going to know.   But I now have 3 huge chocolate eggs sitting in the cubbyhole...they obviously have a sell by date so there is nothing else for it but to bite the bullet and force myself to devour them...the old teeth are groaning in protest already.

Catch up with you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited to add: if you live in my neck of the woods....you are welcome to pop in for coffee and a chunk of chocolate egg if you don't mind the odd splash of alcohol ink...

Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Morning folks....what am I up to today....well after a hectic and traumatic week in the cubbyhole...I am putting my Easter Bunny Hat on and am off delivering Easter Eggs and parcels to the grandkiddies but before I do....hoop-de-doo I've actually managed to whip up a couple of cards for one of my favourite challenge blogs.....Daring Cardmakers

The challenge this week is a cracker from Rein.....

SPEAKING PROFESSIONALLY

make a card with a job theme

and if you have been popping over here this week....no surprise that

CUSTOMER SERVICE ADVISOR/TELEPHONIST

sprang to mind

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Kraft Resist Paper Pad
MME...Pretty Please
Hero Arts..Cl 502 Just Saying Hi
Fiskars Bracket Punch
The Ribbon Girl....Seam Binding and Divine Bakers Twine
Sentiment: Adage Ticket...Tissue Tape & Hero Arts...Just Saying Hi
Tim Holtz Idea-ology-Alpha Parts Ransom

and I just happened to have this stamp set sitting on my desk

TAILOR/SEAMSTRESS

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Kraft Resist Paper Pad

Image: Personal Impressions - Vintage Sewing

Lace and Twill Ribbon from stash

Papercrafts Boutique...Scissors Charms

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Snaps

Sentiment: Hero Arts CL420 9 - Simply Handmade & Pink Petticoat

I can't decide if the problem is down to a bit of camera shake...whether my eyes need tested or my specs just need a good old clean...but these pics look a tad  blurry to me.

Why don't you pop over to The Ribbon Girl Blog for a fantastic Easter Give-Away

5 metre bundle of every colour of Divine Bakers Twine...55 metres in total.....yummy

and check out the gorgeous new goodies coming soon at the same time....

Catch up with you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge....Week 148

Morning everyone....it's Saturday and time for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday....loved all your Easter Extravaganza cards from last week...hope you are enjoying your Easter Weekend and that the sun has got his hat on where you are too.
The challenge this week is.....

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

with the Royal Wedding setting the world abuzz this week...what else could it be...

will you be glued to the TV on Friday...like me

don't they make a lovely couple and so much in love....

don't worry if you don't have any Wedding Theme stamps....it's all about Love...Anniversaries etc...basically however you want to interpret the theme....go for it and have fun....

Penny Black Image: Hugs
Background: Hero Arts...Large Canvas Stripes
Heart decorated with Red Ruffle Gingham from The Ribbon Girl
Sentiment: Chipboard Alphabet...Woodware
Flowers: Fiskars Lever Punch Daisy

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

4 rolls of ribbon of the winner's choice
pop over for a browse and feast your eyes on lots and lots of gorgeous ribbons with special offers and promotions available

Lots of gorgeous card inspiration from the rest of the girls on the team...so pop over and check them out
Have a lovely weekend and happy crafting
Hugs Kath xxx
Edited to add: oops..opened my mouth again and stuck my foot right in it....it's now raining....yuck

Happy Easter Everyone

Hi Everyone..and a very good morning to all my lovely bloggy buddies...it's your bundle of golden deliciousness popping over to wish you all a very

HAPPY EASTER

have a cracking weekend whatever you intend getting up to..are you going to be out and about rolling your eggs or do you just intend lazing on the sofa feeding your faces with the choccy variety.  Me...I'm hoping to get a nice big Easter bone to chew on.

Crikey folks....have you recovered from all that ranting...oh dearie me what a week I've had....moans groans and a few choice words that a well mannered dog shouldn't have to listen to....not a happy cubbyhole at all...so I chipped in with a bit of doggie advice...you need to get this off your chest....share it with your bloggy buddies and go look out your big girl knickers...hey presto I think it's worked....OK she's not exactly bouncing with joy but at least she is no longer tripping over her face and yeehaaa peace and quiet has returned to my little world. And we couldn't end the week on a bum note could we.....so have a FUN TIME this weekend.. Off to chivvy the crafty girl along...all this "catch up with you tomorrow over at Penny Black Saturday" stuff.....well if she doesn't get her skates on with making the card....say no more.

Big Furry Hugs & Snuggles

BUDDY
xxx

Girls Just Want To Have Fun....Questions Answered...

Hi Folks....just wanted to answer a few questions which have popped into my Inbox about our "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" craft day....and clear up any confusion....
1. If you e-mail me to reserve your place, I will send you a booking form which includes all the details about the day and how and when to pay.
2. We have just a few places still available but I will still take names for a cancellation list.
3. You can't book your place or indeed make your payment at The Papeterie....this event is being organised by Debbi..Anne and myself so please contact me concerning all bookings and payment.
4. You don't need to take anything with you - we will provide all materials and tools but if you prefer to take your own scissors that's fine.

Any more questions please feel free to get in touch
Hugs Kath xx

Warts And All......

Morning folks....what am I up to today....I know I promised to stop the gallivanting and get stuck into the crafty stuff...but how could I refuse an invitation to meet up with some lovely crafty buddies this morning for coffee and a chat...you know me can't live without either.  To be honest I have only been given permission to go after promising Mr Mojo that on my return I will get stuck into the samples for my demo day at Papercrafts Boutique Elgin on 7th May....

no doubt getting all inky and messy with Alcohol Inks and some yummy Timmie goodies.

I was a tad amused on our recent road trip to Elgin to read Mark's poster advertising my Demo Day....."ABERDEEN'S QUEEN OF CRAFTS"...what a shock they are in for when a wrinkly old biddy turns up so I thought I'd better try to look the part and try on the crown for size at Rustiques......if I'd known that the resident photographer was going to be snapping away.....I would have got to work with the old poyfilla before dashing out the door au naturale.....

Time for our morning stroll and then back to get the polyfilla mixed up ready for my coffee date....catch up with you all tomorrow.

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited to add: if you have popped over expecting a rant....oops posted that one by mistake but I will be back tomorrow with all guns blazing....today I am off to chill out to try and avoid having a nervous breakdown....and to be honest I'm a little bit concerned...the Royal Invite hasn't as yet popped through my letterbox...might just turn up with my crown and hope for the best.

What's on my Workdesk Wednesday

Morning folks....it's Wednesday already and time to play along with all those lovely crafters who open the doors to their crafty places and let the world in for a good old snoop....if you don't have a clue what I'm on about....it's WOYWW over at Julia's place.
So what's on my workdesk today.....well not a lot to be honest....I have been spending far too much time with the Flower Pot Men...the crafty stuff has been well and truly neglected but the tidy up bug has extended indoors to the cubbyhole...time to clear out the Everest card mountain....friends have had a good old rummage and filled up their birthday boxes...the rest will be delivered to a friend who raises money for a charity very close to my heart...

But oh dear....I've been gallivanting again....a trip to Rustique's this time....

 greeted at the door by Shaun The Sheep...he may be the black sheep of the family but he's ever so cute

  I could sit here all day drinking in the tranquil surroundings with a cuppa in hand

but the purpose of my visit was to buy this gorgeous red clock for my family room....

a slight problem....bigger than I thought so I opted for this cutie instead...
heaven forbid....is that a layer of dust I see....surely not...must be a mucky camera lens..either that or your specs need a clean.....

 and some of the fabulous Annie Sloan Chalk Paint which I will be trying out on some crafty stuff soon...

All this gallivanting is playing havoc with the crafty stuff....so it's time to lose the car keys and knuckle down to that never ending...ever growing list.

We were bowled over yesterday by the response to our new crafting adventure....bums are landing thick and fast on seats... we are so excited and it would seem we are not alone.....thanks folks for your support...it means a lot to us.

Catch up with you all tomorrow.

Hugs Kath xxx

Toot..er..oot..er..oo

Morning folks....at long last the Top Secret Police have removed the gag and unstitched my mouth....crikey it's been like sitting on hot coals...I am mega hyper this morning and the cubbyhole is buzzing with the excitement of it all....oh boy have I been itching to share some mega mega exciting news with you all.   I am so lucky to be joining my lovely buddies DEBBI and ANNE two of the North East's most talented crafters for an INNOVATIVE NEW CONCEPT IN CRAFT WORKSHOPS...a whole DAY OF CRAFTING FUN is coming to a venue near you....that is if you live within driving distance of Aberdeen.

We will be guiding you through lots of the latest crafting techniques using the HOTTEST new products from the crafty world's most innovative companies and you will leave with three absolutely unique projects...places are limited so if you want to come along and have some fun.....please get in touch with me HERE for further details....remember if you snooze...you may lose.

Sending great big birthday hugs this morning to my lovely buddy.....KIM 

Catch up with you all tomorrow....

Hugs Kath xxx
Edited to add:  to clear up any confusion...a place at the workshop can't be reserved or paid for at the Papeterie....it is entirely a separate venture organised by Debbi...Anne and myself so if you are interested in taking up one of the few remaining places.....see above for how you can contact me.

This...That & The Other

Morning folks....Saturday saw a hive of activity in the garden.....lawn well and truly scarified...crikey 8 bin bags of thatch to take to the skip and then the job of trying to repair the scruffy piddly bits which I hasten to add are completely down to the toilet habits of The Furry Boy....

lots more jobs planned for Sunday but the place I call home....yes the good old North East of Scotland must have been the hottest place in Europe yesterday.....far too hot to tackle the garden jobs....I did make a start but after removing as much clothes as I dared I still felt like a greasy plook (spot for all you non Scots) and gardening in the buff isn't really on is it....don't want to terrify the neighbours...so it was onto Plan B....a lazy day relaxing under the parasol giving the brain a good old workout with the Sunday crosswords and the odd cuppa for company.  The Furry Boy gave up in disgust and took himself indoors to find the coolest spot.
And before I get stuck into lots of demo day and workshop stuff....I managed to sneak in a little play with the newest resident in the cubbyhole.....perfect for a bit of paper piecing....

Kraft Card

Hero Arts: S5317 Starburst Lace inked with Versamark

Hero Arts: CG292 - Timely Bird

LOTV - Set 7 Circular Sentiments...For You

Ribbon Girl...Divine Twine

And what a difference a day makes....woke up to a chilly misty morning....is it a heat haze which will burn off when the sun comes up or is it just going to be a damp foggy day....who knows...catch up with you all tomorrow.

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited to add: watch this space folks....some mega mega exciting news to share with you all once I get clearance from the Top Secret Boffins.