This..that and lots of the other...

Morning folks....I'm a real early morning bird...always up and about at bright and early silly o'clock even though there are no pressing deadlines to be getting on with...for me it's the best time of the day....sitting outside with the first cuppa of the day....

and yesterday was such a gorgeous sunshiney morning....I went back for second helpings.   I love the peace and quiet of early mornings before the rest of the world is up and about...just the birds and The Furry Boy for company...

until this cute little fella buzzed onto the scene....busy collecting pollen and busy busy he certainly was..visiting each and every flower on this huge bush...

And the Daylight Lamp is up and running...I managed to assemble it all by myself....a piece of cake really...took just a few minutes...

So watch this space folks....will be putting it through it's paces over the next few days that is if I can get myself back into the crafty swing...I seem to be all crafted out so rather than battle with Mr Mojo...I'm chilling and having a break from the cubbyhole....just wish I could have joined the Lord of All Things Grunginess and Mario on their Alaskan Disney Cruise...not that I was invited to let you understand but I'm sure if I just turned up...they would have been pleased to see me....a girl can dream eh.

In the meantime I leave you with the gorgeous card Sandra sent us as a thank you for her Sewing Canvas....

Catch up with you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Monday Morning Blues

Morning folks...I've got the Monday Morning Blues after a lazy lounging around doing absolutely nothing kind of a day yesterday...that anti-climax feeling when you've spent the last few weeks gearing up for a big day and now it's over....the same feeling you get when Christmas has come and gone in a flash and you've been running around like a headless chicken...but time to share the pics from Saturday...guaranteed to cheer me up....

the clock is ticking...timed to perfection..will it go like clockwork
countdown to the party starting....

happy smiley faces....even before we've begun....

hard at work crafty girls....

a welcome stop for a cuppa....to celebrate with the birthday girl and look at all those yummy cakes...

in Promarker Heaven with Debbi

bags of Fun with Anne...

and he7e is the project we made at my crafty station....
Timmie Holtz "Home Sweet Home" Canvas

why don't you pop over to visit Debbi and Anne to see their fabulous crafty projects....

just a few of the lovely comments we got from our crafty girls...

and we will take on board the constructive criticism....more time needed with Debbi in the Promarker Class...I have been banned from deafening everyone in the room whilst singing along to Michael Buble and sorry folks we know that it got quite warm in the room but unfortunately we have no powers over Mr Sunshine putting his brightest hottest hat on...the fan did help a bit but it also blew my project bits and pieces all over the place.

A huge thank you to Fiskars...Letraset...Anne and Charlotte at the Paperterie for providing the prizes for our lucky badge draw....
2 Sets of 12 Blending Pack Letraset Promarker Pens
Fiskars Bracket Punch
Fiskars 2 Pairs of Scissors
Stampin Up Stamp Set
Box of White Pearlised Card
and congrats to the lucky winners...

I'm wandering around like a lost soul this morning with no pressing deadlines this week...you know the feeling...the less you have to do the longer you take to do it.  I'm in my element when the list of crafty things is as long as my arm and my back is up against the wall so it could be a grumpy coffee overload kind of a day until I get back in the swing.

Mind you I have a pile of ironing to catch up on of Mount Everest proportions...the wardrobe has more empty hangers than full...the windows could be doing with a clean....the kitchen cupboards need attention but not jobs that exactly float my boat and fill me with joy. On the other hand....I could have a cookathon day...stocking up the freezer which comes in handy when the crafty stuff takes over my life or if the weather behaves a day getting grubby in the garden or maybe play along with a challenge or two. Is indeciveness an age thing....why can't I decide what I'm going to do and get on with it...instead of spending most of the day thinking about it and by the time I've made up my mind...it's not worth starting.  Sound familiar.

Catch up with you all tomorrow
Hugs Kath xxx

Girls Just Want To Have Fun....

Morning folks..Anne Debbi and I had the most fabulous fantastico fun day yesterday at our first ever "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" Craft Workshop..mind you that was then and this is now...can't remember being run over by a truck or a herd of stampeding elephants but the old body is in major protest mode this morning...hopefully nothing that a nice hot shower and a morning stroll with The Furry Boy won't fix.  It seems so long ago that the idea took root in our minds but once it was launched..there was no turning back..crikey what if no-one wants to come along haunted our dreams...well we need not have fretted....it was booked up PDQ....the next worry...would they enjoy it once we had them imprisoned for a whole day in our mega crafty space.

I have a sneaky feeling they enjoyed it just as much as we did....thanks everyone...you were all fabulous and truly made the day so special.

Some familiar faces and some new faces from far and wide..OK not quite from the four corners of the globe but travelling from Glasgow..Glenrothes and Birmingham no less makes for a long long day....we hope you all had a safe journey home and are now enjoying a chill out day. A bit of crafting mixed with generous helpings of fun...laughter and downright hilarity and the all important ingredient...lots of lovely folks seems to be the recipe for a successful workshop.

Why when you are having so much fun does the time always pass in a flash...after all the weeks of planning suddenly it's all over...everyone's gone home but the crafty girls are still buzzing from that adrenalin high...the special magic that keeps you going when Mrs Weary wants to kick in mid afternoon...so after a super fast pack up we took ourselves off to a local hostelry for the all important debriefing session or in crafty speak...just a good old blether. Will we be doing it again was the question of the day....YOU BET YA...watch this space...thanks for all the wonderful feedback folks....now for the soppy bit...I want to say a 

HUGE HUGE HUGE...

 THANK YOU 

to my lovely buddies Debbi and Anne...not only are they mega talented in the crafty department but are just the sweetest girls and full of fun...oh yes we all have the same silly sense of humour...love you loads girls and looking forward to our next crafty adventure...to Charlotte and Rachel from The Papeterie who were absolute stars and of course to all YOU lovely crafty girls...it wouldn't have been half as much fun without you. Will catch up with you all tomorrow to share pics from the day along with our three crafty projects....in the meantime enjoy what's left of the weekend.

Hugs Kath xxx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge....Week 153

Morning folks....yes it's Saturday once again and time for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday....loved all your Fussy and Fancy cards this week and thanks for joining in the fun....we really do appreciate you taking the time to play along.

The challenge this week is....

ONE FOR THE GIRLIES

no way could I be described as a girlie girl...but I do love pink..am partial to a bit of bling and love this cute little missy....doesn't she just have the sweetest face...

Papers and Sentiment: Wishful Thinking from Fancy Pants
free this month from Simply Cards & Papercrafts
and embossed with Timmie's Stitched Up Texture Fade
Image: Penny Black....Tiny Wishes
Seam Binding from The Ribbon Girl
coloured with Hero Arts Shadow Ink....Blossom which matched perfectly with the pink paper...don't you just love when a plan comes together
Spellbinders Nestabilities....Standard Circles & Eyelet Circles

I'll be setting off soon for our big Crafty Workshop day...yes I have places to go and things to do so it's short and sweet today...no time for my usual waffling so why don't you pop over to Penny Black Saturday..last week's lucky winner has been posted...check out the fabulous prizes up for grabs this week and feast your eyes on gorgeous inspiration from the rest of the girls on the team.

Catch up with you all tomorrow with no doubt lots of news from our Crafty Adventure.
Daisy's had her op...isn't it great news and is now at home recuperating thanks to the generosity of this wonderful crafting community.

Hugs Kath xxx

A load of waffle....

Morning folks...I'm in a waffle kind of mood this morning so pop the kettle on...find a comfy sofa and indulge the old girl while I get a few things off my chest.  After weeks of planning and preparation...just one more day and I'll be kissing goodbye to those darned lists for a while....yes the big day is almost here and without tempting fate...it looks like it's all come together nicely.  Just one more dashing around day...off to The Papeterie this morning to meet up with my lovely buddy Debbi  to set up..a trip to Costco to stock up on lots of lunch yummies for our lovely Girls Just Want To Have Fun crafters....grab a quick bite to keep the old energy levels up...check and double check all the supplies before packing up the car tonight and will I be having a feet up chill out with the telly kind of a night.  Doubt it because I have a problem that no amount of list making or forward planning can solve...my hair...that unruly mound of bird's nest material that sits atop my head has suddenly decided to do it's own thing....sticking out at odd angles and taking me ages to get under control in the morning...do I leave well alone and go for the clapped to my head on one side-just got out of bed look or the minute it sees the hairdryer-big hair Wurzel Gummidge look.  I've been blessed with the type of hair best suited for stuffing a mattress...the kind that goes into a frenzy of fizz the minute it comes into contact with moisture...they do say that your hair thins out considerably as you get older...do I have to wait until I look like Methusalah before I can get up in the morning and just go.
But I am hopeful that I may have found the solution for another of my problems...yes another of those old age thingies...my eyesight...was thinking that perhaps the crafty specs just needed a darned good clean or is it to do with the lack of daylight on these dark and dismal days....probably a bit of both but and if so there may just be some light at the end of the tunnel....a few weeks ago I received an e-mail from The Daylight Lamp Company...would I like to pop over to their online store and choose a daylight lamp to road test and voila he arrived at the cubbyhole earlier this week...

And I'm impressed so far...arrived in a sturdy box with lots of protective packaging so no danger of this boy being damaged in transit. However my heart sank when I spotted you know what...INSTRUCTIONS on how to put it together and you know me...I'm convinced I am missing an all important gene in the getting to grips  with instructions department...but can I manage this all on my own...if I can do it believe me anyone can.....so watch this space..

I've often thought of buying a daylight lamp for night crafting and those days when there's a lack of daylight but thinking about it was as far as I got....but now I have the chance to see what I've been missing....so I will be putting this boy through his paces and will be back to let you know how I get on....

In the meantime I leave you with a sneaky peek and will catch up with you all tomorrow for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday..fingers crossed I get the posts finished off before the naughty boy...yes you know who I mean decides to have another strop.

Hugs Kath xxx

Mr Blogger

Hi folks....are you having trouble with that miserable pain in the proverbial...yes Mr Blogger is up to his old tricks again and I know from lots of comments on blogs it's not just me that he has singled out for the "throwing his toys out of the pram" treatment.  I use Google Chrome and I managed to slap him back into shape by clearing my browsing history...cache and cookies...don't know if it will work for you but anything's worth a try.   I am off to get my Penny Black Saturday posts done tonight to get ahead of the game so fingers crossed his tantrum is over for today.

Hugs Kath xxx

What's on my Workdesk Wednesday

Morning everyone...crikey is it Wednesday already....OK that means it's time to saunter on over to Julia's place and join in the fun with all those lovely crafters who throw open the doors of their craft spaces especially for WOYWW.   So what's on my workdesk today.....would you believe I am actually making my Penny Black Saturday DT card...well no I can't quite believe it either and it's not going according to plan....probably because I am usually running at the last minute on a Friday and don't have time to over think it.   No sneaky peeks because I haven't yet translated any thoughts to card....just pulled out a few of my favourite things and hope that Mr Mojo comes up with a brainwave.

May just use the free Fancy Pants papers in this month's SC&P....they are gorgeous and woohoo look whose cards are featured in the Fiskars Stamping Wheel Advert...

Soon be time for our morning stroll and if the wind's at our backs....we'll be round in no time and home to get the kettle on for my buddies Debbi and Anne arriving for a dotting the i's and crossing the t's final get together before Saturday...crikey I can't believe it is only 3 days away.....are you excited !!!

Will catch up with you all tomorrow to share the cards I made with my Project of the Month...Fruit Scoop Kit from Craftwork Cards.

Hugs Kath xxx

On a roll...

Morning folks...I had a blinder of a day yesterday...lots more jobs ticked off the list and the badges if I say so myself were a dream once I sorted out the logistics of how to get the fastener to stay in place. I just couldn't figure it out at first...pathetic I know and I often wonder how I ever managed to become a Fiskars Demonstrator working with gadgets and tools because honestly when I am set a task that comes within a hundred miles of the technical spectrum...my brain goes to mush and my co-ordination skills are pants. And as for instructions...they are like a foreign language...if a door says "PUSH" times out of ten I will "PULL"...get my drift...so the completion of the badges I think merits a great big round of applause....a cuppa and feet up for the rest of the day. Unfortunately I am the slave as well as the boss around here and usually The Boss Lady gets her way...so that is definitely not going to happen anytime soon.
So what's on my list of things to do today....first up's and top priority is to get creative with my Project of the Month Kit from Craftwork Cards....Mr Mojo has been chomping at the bit and nipping my head big time and if I don't get a move on before I know next month's kit will be popping through the cubbyhole letter box.

But first it's time for our morning stroll...

do you feel lethargic and have that can't be bothered feeling when you first get out of bed...yes me too but a walk in the fresh air...come rain shine or blowing a hooley is a great way to kick start the old body...get those achy bits working again and there's nothing like the simple pleasures of Nature to put things into perspective...

and by the time we are ready to head for home....I'm usually wide awake..the old body has loosened up and I'm raring to go.

and oops...I have fallen foul of that old temptation thing again...must have been last in the queue when willpower was handed out...yes I have pre-ordered my Timmie Tote from Inspiration Emporium....

how could I ignore Mario's tweet of a 10% discount code and with carriage to the UK only $10...the total came to £26.20...an absolute steal and you can't possibly expect me to wait until they make their way across the pond...can you.  And will Mr Bloggy please stop playing silly bloggers by removing pics from this post.

Catch up with you all tomorrow over at WOYWW

Hugs Kath xxx
Edited to add: For all those folks who are dying to know which one I chose...loved the Butterflies but finally plumped for Subway Signs....a reminder of all the lovely times I've spent in NYC.

Monday Morning Feeling

Morning folks....I've got that Monday Morning feeling....last week was busier than busy and with only 5 more sleeps until our Crafty Workshop this week won't be any different...headless chicken and running around will probably be the order of the day and no doubt Mrs Grumpy will have an airing or two before the big day. I know that I mumph and moan from time to time about the cubbyhole workload but it's all a bit tongue in cheek...my way of relieving the stress of those crafty deadlines.  Get if off your chest...chuck the toys back in the pram and get on with it is my motto.... I love what I do and am so lucky to have been given the opportunity to do what I love best...getting out there and sharing my passion with all those lovely crafters is the best job in the world and when an e-mail from someone who has been inspired to try out something new pops into my Inbox...well it's the best feeling in the world and makes all the hardwork and late nights worthwhile...
Hi Kath
I hope you don’t mind me getting in touch but I thought you might like to see my effort at making the shrink plastic charm that you demonstrated at Papercrafts in Elgin. It was not something I had used before but it is good fun and luckily I have asbestos hands.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching and listening to you...you are one very talented lady. Oh and I hope Lord Timmie has you on commission because up until two weeks ago I did not own a single product of his...I have now been converted! Best Wishes Lynne

and this is what Lynne made....isn't it gorgeous...thank you for your kind words Lynne and for sharing your very first attempt at Shrink Plastic...believe me my first attempt certainly wasn't fit for publication.

And if by any remote chance you are reading this Timmie....10% sounds about right to me but we could get together and negotiate over a Starbucks or two.  And oh my giddy aunt have you seen THIS...

gorgeous gorgeous must-have District Market Collection launched last week in NYC....I've been drooling from the minute I saw it...so want to get my greedy inky crafty mitts on all of it

The kitting is done and dusted but I am by no means out of the woods yet...still lots of those pesky last minute jobs to do...today I'm making badges...and for those of you who know me only too well...yes I will be writing a note to self...read the instructions before you dive in and make a pig's ear of them all.

And woohoo look what arrived in the cubbyhole last week...a sneaky peek of some lucky badge prizes for our Crafty Workshop girls from my very generous buddies at Fiskars and a little birdie tells me there are more to put in the pot including some goodies from Letraset....

Catch up with you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Have Fun with One Stamp...

Morning folks...big thank you to all the lovely crafters who joined me for my class yesterday at Simply Create using Hero Arts CL 527 - Stitched Frame...with a Clean and Simple or Less is More theme...you were all an absolute joy and great fun  And a big thank you to my lovely buddy Anne for her assistance...guaranteeing the afternoon went with a swing and keeping the crafty girl on track....she really is every tutor's Dream Girl Friday.

We had lots of fun stamping onto different mediums 

Old Book Page and Scraps of Paper 

and apologies to Sandra who found some rather naughty words on her book page which we managed to cover up with the sentiment....oops my racy bedtime reading is no longer a secret.

 fabric...

 felt and stamped card...

 and canvas...

I'm in countdown mode now...the next crafty adventure is only 6 sleeps away and still oodles to do but top of the list this morning is to help The Furry Boy with his give-away cards...inky paws and light coloured carpets..say no more...his job will be licking the envelopes.  What started out a bright sunshiney morning here looks as though it's not going to last...the sky is getting darker by the minute..so bang goes my idea of an afternoon in the garden...may be forced to have a snuggle on the sofa with the crosswords...a complete break from the crafty stuff today before it's back into it again bright and early Monday  morning.

Scroll down for The Furry Boy's Give-Away Winners

Catch up with you all tomorrow.

Hugs Kath xxx

My winners

Good morning to all my lovely bloggy buddies from bonny Scotland...yes the sun's got his hat on this morning and I'm chomping at the bit to get away for my morning stroll...just waiting for the Crafty Girl who's having a wash and brush up in the shower and what a rigmarole that is....slapping on handfuls of cream...the battle to get the bird's nest hair under control and then out comes the toothbrush which makes the most annoying buzzy noise...what a palaver before she can set foot out the door....ME I just get up and go and if you want sparkling clean gnashers like me girls...forget scrubbing away with a toothbrush and save yourselves a visit to the nasty dentist man into the bargain...get yourselves a supply of bones and chew regularly.
But I can't stay and chat with you all today....my bunny friends are waiting to play a game of chase...so it's time to announce my 5 winners from last week.

MONDAY.....SARPREET

TUESDAY....KATHLEEN

WEDNESDAY.....ELAINE

THURSDAY.....SQUIRREL

FRIDAY.....SANDRA

Please e-mail us with your addresses folks and we will get your goodies off in the mail....loves you all and a big big thank you for joining me in my week of blogging and a special big THANK YOU for saving Daisy...£2800 raised so far.

Big Hugs & Furry Snuggles

BUDDY xxx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge...Week 152

Morning folks...yes it's me...the boring Old Crafty Girl is back again just in time for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday.   I can safely say that I think you all enjoyed the "Clean and Sinple" challenge last week and wooohooo....lots of gorgeous cards.

The challenge this week is the complete opposite

a great excuse to play with the latest addition to my Penny Black family...
loves this flower...no doubt you will be seeing it often

FUSSY and FANCY

Papers: Bo Bunny...Block Party Picnic
Little Yellow Bicycle...Autumn Bliss...Cream Tonal
Image: Penny Black 4160K Cheerful
Sentiment: Penny Black....Salutations
Fiskars Bracket Punch
Seam Binding Oloroso...The Ribbon Girl
Button: Basic Grey
Pearls: Hobby House
the prize this week for one lucky winner who will be chosen at random and announced next Saturday from our lovely teamie PAULINE
Penny Black....Winsome

And my Deputy Dawg bloggy editor...the one and only super snuggly bundle of golden deliciousness...The Furry Boy did a sterling job last week standing in for his Old Mum....he'll be back bright and early tomorrow morning with his winners.
Great news about Daisy-already over £1400 raised-doesn't that give you just the warmest fuzziest feeling. It makes me feel so very proud of this wonderful crafting community we all belong to and I never doubted for a moment that you would all rally to help a fellow crafter in distress. The bestest news...thanks to all your generous donations Daisy is scheduled to get her op at the beginning of the week and hopefully will be running around on all four paws soon....hugest hugs to you all.
Edited to add: the total raised now stands at £2500....wooohooo..to read the latest news on Daisy....click HERE
I'm off to pack up the car with the card class supplies for Simply Create...catch up with you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx