The Furry Boy Does Christmas

Morning folks....it may well be Halloween but my snuggly bundle of golden deliciousness aka The Furry Boy is in Christmas mood and has decided that he wants to make a start on his Christmas cards...hey he may not be as daft as he looks. I don't want to panic you but 8 weeks today will be Boxing Day...the big Fat Man in the Red Suit will have been and gone and we will all be recovering from stuffing our faces with all that Christmas grub.
Luckily the old crafty girl is almost organised for escaping the cubbyhole and taking off for Birmingham so WE set to work...that's the royal WE you understand because HIS LORDSHIP lay on the cubbyhole floor and did what he does best....snoozed.

I just knew these gorgeous die cuts from LOTV would come in handy for quick and easy cards when I bought them at the SECC but now that HIS NIBS has snaffled them....I need to stock up again at the NEC and with 6 on a sheet for £1 and 12 sheets for £10...well you can't go wrong...a bit of a no-brainer.

A quick trip to M&S in on the cards today to replace my faithful old slippers....they have served me well over the last year but after my trip to the SECC I suspect that the wonderful air cushion sole has seen better days so it's time to splash the cash and get a super duper new pair...if my feet ain't happy...enough said.

I doubt we will have any spooky visitors tonight as we no longer have any young children in the street which is just as well as The Furry Boy would probably go into doggy meltdown if anyone appeared at the door dressed as a ghost but he won't get off entirely scot free in the scary department when the fireworks start...have to say we have been fairly lucky this time round...not many firework morons out and about so far. I can't quite get my head round the fact that Health & Safety haven't yet banned the sale of fireworks to the general public...crikey kids aren't allowed to play conkers now at school in case they get injured but yet it seems to be OK for them to run amok with explosive devices.

Have fun if you are out and about tonight but stay safe.

Catch up with you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Woohoo...I'm On A Roll...

Morning folks...did you remember to put your clock back...yes we've gained one whole hour and no I didn't take advantage of having an extra hour tucked up under the duvet....with a gazillion things to do before the NEC...I was up and at it bright and early as usual and woohoo I am at this moment in time on one big crafting roll so much so that the crafty conveyor belt is SMOKING... hang onto your galluses for some amazing breaking news...I've just been over to the Penny Black Saturday Team Blog and posted my card for next week's challenge...bet the girls are surprised...in fact one or two of them may just have felt the need to have a lie down...this may well qualify for The Guinness Book of Records...in 3 years of being on the team...I have never EVER EVER been first.
There hasn't been much playing going on in the cubbyhole lately so I thought I might attempt a challenge card...haven't done one of those for a while and must be out of practice because it didn't go exactly to plan.
The plan was to make a card for the challenge over at Less Is More which is " Lucky Dip - Stars"...I got the star bit right with my little cute star shaped card but then I got a little bit carried away...not exactly clean and simple is it...so I won't be entering the challenge but hey nothing is ever a complete disaster...I have yet another card for the Christmas Card Box.

I'm off to visit the grandkiddies today to deliver Brodie's birthday pressies for next week and boohoo...I'll be missing out on his birthday party next Saturday...while hubby is running the gauntlet of some mega hyper excited kiddies...I'll be busy playing with 72 hooligan crafters...some may say that I've had a lucky escape or not. Catch up with you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge...Week 175

Morning everyone...time for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday.  Loved all your cute spooky creations last week...thanks for taking the time to join in the fun...we really do appreciate it.   The winner has been posted so pop on over and check out if it's YOU.

The challenge this week is a fabulous sketch from our lovely teamie NAT

edited to add: can't believe no-one spotted the watermark date...I know I don't always know what day it is but things are serious if I am at the stage that I don't know what year it is....

Papers:  MME Lost & Found Christmas
Penny Black Image...Nature's Best
Ribbon: American Crafts
Sentiment: LOTV..Circular Sentiments - Christmas

With time fast running away from me at the moment...this was going to be a simple quick to make card so why did I decide to hand stitch around the panels and trim around all those holly leaves....I have no idea...another losing the plot moment perhaps...

and the prize this week for one lucky winner 

4 rolls of ribbon of the winner's choice

from

Fantastic Ribbons

why don't you pop over for a browse...check out the huge selection of gorgeous ribbons and great special offers to tempt you too.

After the social whirlwind that was the SECC...I was feeling a bit down in the old dumps yesterday and just couldn't settle myself back into the work stuff so instead of grumping around in the cubbyhole arguing with Mr Mojo I took myself off to join the lovely girls at SEW SOCIAL FRIDAY at the IN PLACE TO BE...my lovely buddy ANN's new shop...THE SEW ROOM in Alford...a morning of fun chat and coffee really do wonders for the crafty soul....I'm back in the swing again.
Looking forward to seeing what you all create with Nat's sketch....I'll be popping by to pay you a visit...until then enjoy your weekend and happy crafting.

Hugs Kath xxx
Edited to add: Remember to put your clocks back an hour tonight....for all you sleepy heads an extra hour in bed

Cream Crackered or What !!

Morning folks...I know what you are all thinking...what time of day is this to be putting in an appearance"...to be honest cream crackered doesn't even come close to describing how I felt when I got home last night at 9pm and this morning I woke up with that "ran all the way home hanging onto the back of the train" and "then run over by a bus for good measure" feeling.  My fabulous new tote and old comfy slippers behaved impeccably....in fact my feet were the only things that didn't ache by the time I dragged myself away and headed for the station. WHAT A FABULOUS DAY...I had the bestest fun meeting up with my special crafty buddies...the biggest hooligans in the crafty world...you know who you are...and there were more than a few surprises when I bumped into Kathleen...Lorna and Mary and the best surprise of all when I spotted my Fiskars buddy Karen and her Mum Mary who flew in from Northern Ireland...a big thank you to each and every one of you for your wonderful company....loves you all.
First stop was to say hello to my lovely mates Jane & Penny at Art of Craft where I found my Fiskars matey Lorraine in typical demo pose...she is so going to kill me for this pic

Then it was time to pop by Craft Obsessions for the first purchases of the day...to finally meet David and Brenda...they are just the loveliest folks....well I knew that anyway from being a regular shopper at their online shop but it's so nice to put faces to the names behind their fabulous customer service.

All this crafty shopping is hungry work and far more tiring than working the show...so it was time to take the weight off and head off to join the Sugar Nellie Girlies Picnic Lunch...

my lovely buddy Ali cheesing it up for the camera 

Big Hugs to Ali's Mum for providing the yummy lunch and hubby Andy for riding shotgun guarding all our crafty stash purchases as we hobbled from stand to stand....my sweet PBSC teamie Liz...the shy Little Birdie Gayle on the left hiding from the old camera and the gorgeous Cass behind making sure she gets her face in the frame...

Apologies for the crap pics...blame the bright glary lights in the hall...I had far more important things to do than fiddle with exposure and lighting settings...

And what did I buy...as crafty splurges go..not a lot to be honest but in between chatting and stuffing my face at every opportunity one or two goodies managed to make their way home to the cubbyhole...

Flexmarkers...those "a girl can never have enough" Distress Stains...TH gorgeous Holiday Lamppost Die...yummy Lili Of the Valley goodies...another Penny Black stamp "as if I didn't have enough" and last but not least..thanks to the lovely Sue at Craftwork Cards for more must-have goodies

and if you're heading to the show on Saturday....pop by and say hello to my bestest buddy Debbi...the Queen of All Things Letraset who will be demo-ing for Hotshot Crafts M25 and Craft Obsessions K18 throughout the day and if it's half as busy as it was yesterday....elbows at the ready girls.

I suspect today is going one of those one step forward and two steps back kind of days...I doubt if even the big girl knicker trick will work today but with the NEC fast looming and still oodles to do...I need to have a serious team talk with the cubbyhole crew and get production back on track.

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

Off On a Jolly

Morning everyone...woohooo...the alarm clock went off at 5.00am and I'm on the train speeding my way to the SECC for the Hobbycraft show...enjoying a relaxing coffee right now and if it wasn't pitch dark outside I would be watching the scenery whizz by and I may even manage to have forty winks before I reach my destination.
It's going to be a real fun day catching up with lots of bloggy buddies especially the lovely girls from The Sugar Nellies Group and guess what...I've been made an Honorary Auntie just for the day so look out Karen..Gayle..Ali..Liz..Cass..Alison and Charlotte...I'll be expecting some super duper hugs. But by the time I pop by to say hello to Sue and Jane at Craftwork Cards...David and Brenda at Craft Obsessions...David at Samuel Taylor...Keith at Fantastic Ribbons and the lovely girls and my Fiskars buddy Lorraine at Art of Craft....will there be anytime left for shopping.
I'll be trotting from stand to stand in my comfy slippers...no way am I spending 7 hours in shoes and ending up with feet like puddings and I'll be strutting my stuff with the latest fashion in totes...what every well dressed crafter should be wearing this year....YESSSS....my Timmie Tote has arrived...ordered way back in May from the USA but definitely worth the wait...I chose Subway Signs to remind me of all my wonderful trips to NYC...

it's absolutely gorgeous...how could it not be if the Lord of All Things Holtziness designed it...highest quality wipe clean on the outside with metal feet on the bottom...

big zipped pocket inside for your stash purse...more pockets to hold your mobile phone and all the other paraphenalia us girls need to carry with us and a magnetic closure to keep everything safe...

and loads of room for my camera and any crafty shopping...it's absolutely TIMMILICIOUS AND I LOVE IT. Forget those mega buck busting designer bag girls...this is what should be on your Christmas Wish List this year. So if you're going to the SECC today and wonder who on earth the auld wifie in her baffies carrying her posh tote is....it's OK it's only ME...give me a nudge and say hello.

See you all tomorrow with news from Glasgow.

Hugs Kath xxx

What's On My Workdesk Wednesday

Morning folks...greetings from dark dreary wet and windy Scotland...I am so not into the dark mornings but I have absolutely no power over the moon's gravitational goings on or indeed the weather so apart from having a good old grumph there's no point in stressing about it. Something is needed to cheer a body up and because it's Wednesday...I have the very thing...the weekly trip over to Julia's place to join in the fun at WOYWW.  So here's what on my rather cluttered workdesk today...

The NEC Workshop kits make another appearance...just adding some last minute bling and 3D pads before they are ready to be packed into my suitcase and pray that I don't go off the scale at check-in...

 the November DT kit parcel has arrived from The Ribbon Girl and as usual it's full of yummy delicious ribbons and gorgeous bits and bobs...

the floss box is out for a bit of hand stitching on this week's Penny Black Saturday card...

and some gorgeous Wendy Vecchi Art Parts have just arrived in the cubbyhole but I have neither the room nor the time to play...

It may take more than a dose of WOYWW nosiness and the chance to have a play to fill up the cheery cup today with a visit to the dentist on the cards and the thought that I will be dragging myself out of bed at silly pitch dark 5.00am tomorrow morning...which numptie in the cubbyhole Travel Booking Department booked a seat on the 6.30am train for my trip to the SECC....Mr Mojo...The Furry Boy or oops...I think perhaps it was ME...but I have a sneaky feeling this will tick all the boxes...the delectable Mr Buble's Christmas CD flew into the cubbyhole yesterday...

time to pump up the volume for a cubbyhole sing-a-long.  How lucky are you that this post doesn't come with sound.

Catch up with you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Hoop-de-doo and A Challenge...

Morning folks...did I detect a little dissent in the cubbyhole this morning...just The Furry Boy trying to assert his authority...well he is male after all and busy bumping his gums to anyone who will listen about the non-existent grievance procedure...no worries it's nothing that a big snuggly hug...a good old run around in the fresh air and doggy treat won't fix. But I have more important stuff to be getting on with and let me just say I'm feeling a bit hoop-de-doo dah today but I'll tell you about that in a mo...first it's time for another...

from The Ribbon Girls

with a delicious Christmas Ribbon Kit prize...

we would love if you can share your Christmas inspiration with us all and all you have to do to enter is leave a link over at The Ribbon Girls so we can come visit you...

if you are a regular visitor to the cubbyhole you will be fed up hearing about how snowed under I am with the crafty stuff and banging on about being just like that poor old hamster on his proverbial wheel but that's the excuse this month for my quick and easy DT effort...no time for any thinking out of the box stuff...so I looked out a cracker box template and got to work with Distress Inks and some of my favourite Heros finishing off with some yummy Ribbon Girl goodies...

Images and sentiment from Hero Arts: Christmas Reindeer

Background created with TH Distress Ink...Stormy Sky

Ribbon Girl Goodies....Seam Binding...Oloroso

Snowflake Charm

why don't you pop over and check out all the fabulous Christmas creations from my lovely teamies and then have a browse at all the gorgeous products in The Christmas Shop.

So what mind blowing event has well and truly gasted my flabber...hang onto your galluses folks...the Fiskars projects are in the bag...yes all 5 and if I wasn't sitting looking at them right this minute I wouldn't believe it either. I worked my little cotton socks off yesterday ably assisted by Mr Mojo...we were cooking by gas and definitely jet propelled...strike while the iron is hot and all that jazz...it must have been that old "back up against the wall" deadline thing that comes over me every so often or perhaps it was the thought that I might have to cancel my day out to the SECC on Thursday if things didn't go according to plan. But I'm not out of the woods yet...still oodles of stuff to finish before I take off for the NEC a week tomorrow...can I keep Mr Mojo sweet and pull it off twice in a row.

I'll be back tomorrow to join in the fun at WOYWW and who knows what will be on my workdesk.

Hugs Kath xxx
Edited to add: Buddy has announced his Give-Away Winner...you can find it HERE

Buddy's Give-Away Winner

A very good morning to all my lovely bloggy buds...yes it's your bundle of golden deliciousness checking in from Bonnie Scotland at this silly o'clock time in the morning. Just because my old Crafty Mum is up and about she thinks that everybody else should be too so I am summoned from my snuggly sleep at this unearthly time every morning and shoved outside to attend to you know what.  It's a bit of a shock to the doggy system sniffing around in the pitch black before I have a chance to have a stretch and get myself properly awake and now I've been told to get on the computer and do "MY WINNER" thing now. What's with all this Bossy Boots stuff...barking orders and expecting me to jump to attention. I want to make one thing clear I'm the one who does the barking around here and it's totally out of order that I haven't even been given a sniff of my breakfast yet considering my crafty Old Bossy Mum doesn't get in the groove until she's had at least 2 cuppas.  I think it's time to put my foot down and sort out this hierarchy thing...time to show who's really THE BOSS...don't you agree. But I need to choose my moment...I don't want to go rocking any boats so perhaps I'll wait until after breakfast and my morning stroll.

So being the obedient mutt that I am....YES MUM...NO MUM...3 BAGS FULL MUM...

here we go with the winner of my give-away... 

WOOF WOOF

it's...
JACKY
(Scrappyjacky)

You know what to do Jacky...just send us an e-mail with your address and I'll instruct Mrs Bossy Boots to get on her bike and get your goodies off in the mail.  I think I hear breakfast being served and I know which side my bread is buttered on so I'm off....see you all soon. She who must be obeyed will be joining you soon with her hoop-de-doo news and she's even managed to make a card.

Big Hugs & Furry Snuggles from

Everybody's Obedient Servant

BUDDY xxx

Back to Monday

Morning folks...where did the weekend go...before you can blink an eye it's back to Monday again...the start of the another working week...the good news is I don't have to do the daily commute...it's just a hop skip and a jump from the kitchen to the cubbyhole and that's just as well because I'm in no fit state for any type of athletic activity on this dull and drizzly morning. Don't want to bore you with my aches and pains but I've been hit out of the blue by the mother of all cricks in my neck and it played havoc with the crafty list and the general aura of happiness in the cubbyhole yesterday...yes I was a real "pain in the neck grumpy sod" and just couldn't cut the mustard with the Fiskars goodies.  Nothing else for it but to have a play instead with this...

and woohoo I managed to make 2 of these Cha Cha bracelets whilst enjoying my Sunday night Strictly and Downton fix...

and I still have all this left...

could this be yet another addiction to add to the list

But it's a brand new day...the old neck problem is easing and with a day off this week for a visit to the SECC on Thursday I need to get a move on...onward and upward is the motto for today...the Fiskars projects are now TOP PRIORITY and before you ask I am sworn to secrecy but who knows I may just manage to sneak in the teeniest peek later in the week...that is if all goes according to plan.
Remember you only have until 9pm tonight to enter Buddy's Stitch In Time Kit Give-Away....we'll be back tomorrow.

Hugs Kath xxx

Big plans for today...

Morning folks...today's the day that all those of you who work Monday to Friday 9 to 5 do your own thing...indulge in your favourite hobby or just laze around in your jammies having a chill out day and hey me too if I can get away with it but today is going to be a work day for the cubbyhole crew because the box of Fiskars goodies has arrived.

The plan is to get the crafty fingers working on the 5 projects needed for Friday and it's all to do with teamwork...we can forget The Furry Boy...he's just had his weekly pamper "get rid of all those excess hairs" session and is currently flat out on the sofa...

so it looks like it's ME and Mr Mojo...let's hope he's in a co-operating kind of a mood and that he hasn't wandered off to do his own thing or decided that Sunday is a day of rest.

Lots of e-mails have been popping into my inbox about how to do the double bow that seems to pop up on most of my cards at the moment...believe me folks it's really simple because I don't do complicated if I can help it...

so here is my little crafty secret...tie a bow and fix down with a glue dot...tie another the same and fix on top at a different angle with another glue dot....see I told you it was simple didn't I.
I was so chuffed a while back when the lovely Alison from Art of Crafts asked me to do a craft interview which was published on the Art of Crafts Blog....now she has collected all the interviews into an e-line book...The Big Book of Craft Interviews...

and you can get a free copy if you pop over to Art of Crafts and sign up for the newsletter. As much as I would like to linger for a chat....it's time to put the kettle on...round up Mr Mojo and get to work....I'll see you all tomorrow.

Hugs Kath xxx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge...Week 174

Morning folks....it's Saturday and time for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday. I loved all the "On The Move" creations for last week's challenge....you all did a great job and totally rocked it..well done everyone....pop over and check if you are last week's lucky winner.
We are racing through the month of October and before we know it will be Halloween...a night of fun for all the trick and treaters...when all the spooky ghouls witches and spiders come out to play...so to get you in the mood...this week's challenge is...

TOO CUTE TO SPOOK

 Paper: WeR Memory Keepers

Image: Penny Black...Frightful Flight

Memory Box Creepy Web Die 

Spiders: Black Dew Drops with twine legs

Ribbon: American Crafts

Sentiment: TH Idea-ology Alphabits Ransom

Buttons from stash

the spider's web die cuts were the life saving pieces of kit that my lovely buddy Dawny P sent me after my "can you help me out" SOS and not content with mooching a pile of die cuts...I also lifted her fabulous idea for making spiders....yes I know in reality spiders have 8 legs but these are their 6 legged cousins. 

and we have a super cute prize this week for one lucky winner...

Penny Black....Frightful Flight

I know that we are not really into making Halloween cards in this country and being a canny Scot I like to get lots of mileage out of my stamps...so don't think that this cutie is only suitable for Halloween...ink up your stamp and then mask off the pumpkin face...

 and voila you have a balloon suitable for any happy celebration card...

Now it's your turn to get all spooky....look forward to seeing what you all create this week and I'll be popping by during the week to pay you a visit....in the meantime happy crafting and enjoy your weekend whatever you have planned.

Hugs Kath xxx

This...that and a bit of the other

Morning folks...welcome to Frantic Friday in the cubbyhole....I am chasing my tail today trying to get up to speed before the box of Fiskars goodies arrive on my doorstep...so sit back and relax because I have loads to share today along with the usual cubbyhole waffle...but let's start off with a sneaky peek of tomorrow's Penny Black Saturday offering...

and I have to say a huge thank you to my bestest bloggy bud...the mega talented and oh so gorgeous...my twin in another life...the one and only Dawny P who flew to my rescue when I sent her a cardmaking SOS and not only did she pull out all stops to save my life she also sent me a card which is so darned gorgeous I can't help drooling over it...

and even more gorgeous stuff to drool over...

it's a beading kit that I ordered from QVC...this is going to be my new evening addiction whilst watching winter telly...we have an unwritten rule in the cubbyhole...no cardmaking worky stuff after 6pm or else I would be spending all my waking hours shut away in my little crafty world but this doesn't count and I can't wait to get making lots of lovely beady creations.

It's been a bumper postie week at the cubbyhole....look what arrived from the lovely folks at

  DotCom Gift Shop

a gorgeous biscuit tin which would be the perfect gift for a friend filled with some yummy Christmas bakes or a storage tin for all your Christmas crafty bits and pieces or why not fill it with some crafting goodies and send to a friend. If you are going to be struggling to make all your Christmas cards this year...DotCom Gift Shop have the perfect solution with their gorgeous selection of charity cards with 90% of the proceeds going to Cancer Research UK...so you needn't feel guilty about purchasing cards as you will be helping to raise funds for a charity close to everyone's heart.

If you're still with me....I just had to save the best 'til last....one super cute bunny rabbit lazing in the sun after filling his little tum on my garden plants...but surely his Mum has warned him that car wheels and bunnies are not a good combination...regardless of deadlines I just had to keep watch until he was safe.

So what's on the crafty agenda today...making a card for a very special little fella who will be 7 very soon and then it's back to the Shabby Vintage canvas...I'll catch up with you all tomorrow over at Penny Black Saturday for another fab challenge and a super cute prize.

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited to add: My Give-Away will now close on 24th October because my daft old Mum forgot that she won't be at home the following week to post out the parcel...Hugs Buddy xxx

It's Ribbon Girl Time Again...

Morning folks...holy moley...what's happened to the weather...freezing cold...gale force winds...lashing rain and sunshine all in one day but not very far from where I live as the crow flies....this was the scene yesterday morning...

digging out the Ptarmigan Restaurant at the summit of Cairngorm...does this mean that the first snow of winter could be arriving on my doorstep sooner rather than later...time to get those skis waxed...look out the thermals and get the snow tyres fitted on the car.

After 2 fun filled days of trying to keep super energetic grandkiddies and The Furry Boy amused...I'm back in the cubbyhole and time to share more cards for this month's Ribbon Girl Challenge with the Lilac and Green colour theme...

 Background....gorgeous TH Snowflake Embossing Folder

Trees: Hero Arts...Christmas Reinder inked with 

Distress Inks....Bundled Sage & Dusty Concord

Ribbon Girl Goodies.....

Seam Binding...Iced Lime Green

 Silver Snowflake Charm

Aqua Dewdrop

Sentiment: Hero Arts...Holiday Sayings

Kraft Card

Hero Arts: Many Dots

Ribbon Girl Goodies:

Avocado Green Small Plain Buttons

Lavender Pom Pom Trim Tiny

Mulberry Pretty Blossoms

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards...In Circle Messages

So what's on the agenda today for the cubbyhole crew...first stop the kitchen to flick the kettle switch while The Furry Boy attends to the call of nature and crikey it's blowing a hooley again out there...time to wrap up snuggly and warm for a "blow the cobwebs out of your hair" morning trot. But high winds mean the trees are shedding their leaves and why does every single red russet or golden coloured leaf in the neighbourhood seem to land right in my back garden. The weeks are flying in...I can hardly believe that this time next week I'll be on my way for a fun day out at the SECC meeting up and chatting ten to the dozen with lots of bloggy buds and 2 weeks today I'll be donning my Fiskars Hat and strutting my stuff at the NEC.  But lots to do before then...so it's going to be a "all hands to the pump" cosy cubbyhole day.  Have fun whatever you're doing and I'll see you all tomorrow for sneaky peek Friday.

Hugs Kath xxx