Monday Monthly Ribbon Girl Give-Away

Hi folks...it's Monday...the first day of July...crikey half the year gone already and I'm feeling rather chirpy but before I tell you why...it's time for my Monday Monthly Ribbon Girl Give-Away...I know there were only 30 days in June but it just feels like yesterday I was posting the last one...but whatever...as always thanks to my lovely buddies Mary and Andrea at The Ribbon Girl...there's a...

for one lucky winner...what you spend it on will be up to you and believe me you'll be spoiled for choice...so much gorgeous goodies to tempt you...so all you have to do is leave your name with Mr Inlinkz below before 8pm on Sunday 7th July and I'll announce the winner bright and early on Monday.
The cubbyhole crew are still on a high after yesterday's birthday celebrations and...wait for it...the Christmas projects are done and dusted...it's amazing what an incentive a birthday party and the promise of cake along with lots of Wimbledon watching can be...the downside is clearing up the neglected crafty debris...

but I have another incentive up my sleeve...the left over bag of mini marshmallows...an essential purchase for one of the projects you understand and we didn't want to be caught short so I bought the biggest bag I could find...still half-full or half-empty whichever way you want to look at it...

not exactly strawberries and cream but hey they'll go down a treat this afternoon with a cuppa and tennis on the box...sounds good to me.  I'll see you all tomorrow to share my "packing a punch" adventure.

Hugs Kath xxx

Happy Birthday Buddy...

Hi folks...the cubbyhole crew are getting ready to party...donning our hats...looking out the candles and yes there will be cake to celebrate the Furry Boy's birthday...it's hard to believe that my beautiful boy is 7 years old...where does time go...my sweet 24/7 companion has reached middle age in doggy years and as all dog owners will know...we've gone through the Terrible Twos...the Tantrum Threes...the Frazzled Fours...the Frantic Fives...the "becoming a bit more" Sensible Sixes to get here...he was right at the front of the queue when the hooligan gene was handed out...a real character and no mistake but I wouldn't change him for the world...love you loads my wonderful sweet friend...

and a gorgeous card arrived in the mail from Buddy's bestest buddy...the sweet Anesha...

I get the impression he liked it...gave it a good sniff and then refused to be parted from it...

and this super cute card arrived by e-mail this morning from the lovely Polly in Wales...

I'll see you all tomorrow for my Monday Monthly Ribbon Girl Give-Away...enjoy the rest of your weekend

Hugs Kath xxx

Oops...

Hi folks...oops...it looks like I did indeedy put a jinx on the Wimbledon weather but hey it wouldn't be Wimbledon without a bit of rain interrupting play...every year we expect to see the ground staff running to cover the hallowed turf and spectators huddled under their umbrellas...can't see the benefit of that millions of pounds worth of new roof when it needs hours of advance notice of rain...hope they're not relying on the Met Office for that one...before someone takes the momentous decision to push the button and it sends us all to sleep watching it's long slow journey to make Centre Court waterproof.
And talking of waterproof...I definitely needed mine yesterday...we're back to the yo-yo weather again...a day of brilliant sunshine followed by absolutely "teeming it down" rain but I've got more pressing stuff to worry about...the crafty list...so today I'm on a mission to bring it down to a "less panic stricken" level...first I've got a card to finish off for tomorrow's special cubbyhole celebrations...

then I'll be donning my Fiskars Hat again to make 4 Christmas projects with the Fuse Creativity System using the brand new 12" x 12" dies and once I've got them under my belt...I'll get to play with...

my yummy DT goodies from Craftwork Cards...oh my giddy aunt...if you loved the Tea Dance Collection...you're just going to have to get the Time Flies Collection...beautiful papers, sentiments and flowers and if you love butterflies...you'll be in seventh heaven.

Excuse me for dashing off but the crafty list awaits...I'll see you all tomorrow all ready to party.

Hugs Kath xxx

What a Shocker...

Hi folks...crikey...heavens above...what a to do...I'm still reeling from the shock of it all....2 of my tennis idols out in the first week of Wimbledon...

who would have thought that the gorgeous Nadal would be out in the first round and stop all the clocks...seven times champion the mighty Federer out in the third round along with Sharapova and Hewitt and 7 players withdrawing due to injury...what's going on.  I just hope it's not down to me...remember the cubbyhole gremlins that flew out of here after getting their butts kicked...you don't think that they landed at Wimbledon do you...NO...just a co-incidence surely. But hey time to think positive...Andy and Laura are through to the next round and there's no sign at the moment of the old Wimbledon Nemisis...RAIN STOPS PLAY but I may well have just put a jinx on that too. It's building up to be an exciting tournament and barring any more shocks looking like a Djokovic v Murray final...crikey that's going to be an "edge of the seater"...a not to be missed for the world...Sunday afternoon of brilliant nail biting tennis...could this be Andy's year.
And if I want the luxury of sitting glued to the box for next weekend's finals...I need to get a bit of a spurt on in the crafty department...it's sneaky peek city here at the moment...

not to mention the on-going DIY saga...one more job ticked off that list...miles of masking tape laid down ready for the "Oh joy of joys" painting marathon but I'm wondering if my old knees will ever recover from that little adventure. I did consider employing the services of a professional painter and decorator...that is until they hit me with their prices...crikey a real blow me over with a feather "how much" moment...even if I supplied the paint it was still a "do you think I've won the lottery" price tag...makes me think I'm in the wrong job. And the biggest shocker of them all...the sun came out to play yesterday...

 and where was I...yep...stuck indoors with a tin of primer and a brush for company...

see you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

The Chief Waffler's back...

Hi folks...yes it's your favourite bundle of golden deliciousness popping on to keep you up to speed with the latest news from the cubbyhole...problem is...the news is a bit sparse at the moment...we've been busy busy "working our little socks off" making a dent in the crafty list but nothing I can share with you...well not if I want to stay off the naughty step so bear with me while I do a bit of waffling...a few paragraphs worth should suffice.
So let's start with the favourite topic of conversation in this country...yep the weather and is it any wonder...blimey no 2 days are never the same...it's supposed to be Summer folks...what happened to long lazy warm sunshiney days...we've had an occasional sighting of the sun...blink and you'd miss it basically...the cubbyhole crew are suffering from a definite lack of Vitamin D and when the sun does decide to put in an appearance...there's a mad exodus outdoors...the boss sitting with her feet up enjoying a cuppa...

admiring the flowers

and yours truly catchin up on some zzzz's

but just when we're thinking "this is it...summer's arrived"....the sun sneaks off again...the sky goes dark...the black clouds roll in and the heavens open and I'm not the most popular member of the crew when I'm wet...can't think why.

Before I go I'd better give you an update on the DIY front...it's all terribly exciting...that is if you don't get out much...today's riveting job is a down on hands and knees adventure involving a roll of masking tape. Apparently I've been excused masking tape duty...sticky and billions of hairs on my gorgeous coat are not a good combination...so I've been told...well excuse me but who says I wanted to join in this particular fun chore anyway...

I've got far more important things on my mind...finishing off that snooze that was so rudely interruped by the pitter patter of gigantic raindrops. Let's all hope that today is going to be a sunshiney day...in the meantime you take care and I'll see you soon.

Big Hugs & Furry Snuggles

BUDDY xxx

It's Amazing...

Hi folks...wow it's amazing how things can turn around in the space of 24 hours...the Fiskars Workshop projects are in the bag...crikey how did that happen I hear you ask after yesterday's "the end of the world is nigh" post...well basically I gave myself a little "don't think about it...JUST DO IT" pep talk and I got a little extra kick up the bum when another couple of Fiskars e-mails popped into my Inbox with more crafty Christmas projects to add to the list...crikey the old workdesk is groaning under the weight and beginning to look like a conveyor belt but hey how lucky am I to do a job I absolutely love...so ignore my occasional Moaning Minnie rants...that's just me letting off a bit of steam when things don't go my way...my version of The Furry Boy's tantrums.
So with the "I LOVE MY JOB" hat firmly plunked on the old barnet it's time to tackle the crafty pile...starting off with the Melt Pot projects for my next Kath's Club Class at The Papeterie on 27th July...

then make a start on samples for the Hobbycraft demos...

then I'll be donning my Santa Hat for the Fiskars Christmas Projects...maybe I should start off by cleaning those grungy scissors...

and of course there's still a shed load of painting to finish in the DIY department but you know what...Rome wasn't built in a day...Superwoman I am not so unless there's a divine miracle and I grow another pair of hands...it's going to have to take it's turn in the scheme of things...any spare time will be spent with my feet up and eyes glued to the box feeding my tennis addiction.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Hi Ho...Hi Ho...

Hi folks...it's a new week and kicking the butt of those cubbyhole gremlins was on yesterday's agenda...time to get back into the "Hi Ho...Hi Ho...it's off to work we go" swing of all things crafty again but it doesn't seem to have done the trick...the cubbyhole is in major Fiskars Trash Mode...

Mr Mojo's jumped ship...The Furry Boy's having a tantrum because of the mess...the sun's decided to put his hat on again and just to top it all of...Wimbledon's on the box...not a good combination for getting in the work mood and one look at the reject bin will tell you that the project for the Fiskars workshop at The NEC in November is a million miles away from being done and dusted but hey when the going gets tough...the tough get going...so I closed the cubbyhole door behind me and hightailed it off to the nearest therapy centre aka...a retail park...for a little bit of DIY finishing touches shopping...

a new lamp...some pictures frames and if you've been paying attention you'll notice that the clock's been moved to make way for my gorgeous piece of wall art...a cheap as chips canvas which jumped into my shopping basket at Dunelm...

not forgetting a new mat for the Furry Boy's water bowl...no expense spared for the only member of the household who's taken the DIY chaos in his stride but is such a diva about a few bits of paper on the floor...

Time for drastic action...a little bit of an incentive...the old "dangle a sweet carrot in front of the donkey" trick...work my socks off this morning in exchange for a little treat...a "strawberries and cream" afternoon watching tennis and if the Fiskars project's in the bag...I'll be breaking open the bottle of Pimms...wish me luck and I'll see you all tomorrow.

Hugs Kath xxx

Timely Bird Workshop...

Hi folks...crikey these Monday mornings seem to come round faster and faster...the beginning of another frantic week in the cubbyhole and on today's agenda are those pesky Fiskars step-by-steps...much as I'm tempted I can't put it off any longer...a real pull on the big girl knickers job on a par with ironing in my book and you know what they say...the job isn't finished until the paperwork's done...

so best foot forward and get on with it is the order of the day.

Time to share the cards we made at my Kath's Klub afternoon workshop at The Papeterie using Hero Arts Timely Bird...a fabulous collage type stamp...Tim Holtz Distress paints and oodles of Frantage just for fun and once again my lovely crafty companions did a great job and had lots of fun Frantaging everything in sight...

and The Papeterie now has a beautifully Frantaged workshop table....I won't tell if you don't...

See you all tomorrow
Hugs Kath xxx

Musical Canvas

Hi folks...Happy Sunday to you all...what have you got planned for today...as per usual it all depends on the weather and it's not looking good in my neck of the woods so a day of chilling out with the crosswords is floating my boat after a mad frantic week in the cubbyhole and a busy panic stations but lots of fun day at The Papeterie...the day didn't start off too good when I arrived to find that the stamps and gesso for the workshops unfortunately hadn't...time for a flying by the seat of my pants adapt and overcome strategy...a big thank you to my lovely crafty superstar girls who took it all in their stride with their usual good humour...

crikey my set of stamps was round and round that table like a whirling dervish...not sure if he'll ever recover...

but we made it and thanks to Charlotte for keeping our spirits up with cuppas and muffins...

and here's what we made...

using Tim Holtz fabulous Distress Paints and Hero Arts Musical Clef Cling Stamp...

with just a tad of Frantage to liven up the proceedings and I couldn't resist sneaking in my favourite Hero Arts butterfly from Antique Engravings stamped with Distress Paints...

I'll be back tomorrow to share what we made in the afternoon class...yes another "adapt and overcome" adventure...in the meantime have a fun day
Hugs Kath xxx

What A Week...

Hi folks...do you remember that old TV programme "That Was The Week That Was"...away back in the days of black and white TV's...maybe not if you're not as old as I am but anyway...that definitely was "that was the week that was" and thank goodness it's over...battling technology...nailing deadlines...priming woodwork and last minute kitting had me running around like a cat with a scalded bum...in fact the kitting turned into a real burn the midnight oil affair...never ever have I left it so late...real close to the wire stuff but hey it's done and dusted now and I'm looking forward to chilling out with the lovely crafty folks at today's Kath's Klub at The Papeterie...might need a nudge now and again to keep me awake but I'm sure they'll oblige and keep me on my toes.
I've decided there's no point in stressing about all the DIY finishing touches...it's going to be a "do a little bit at a time" when I can job...the kitchen skirting boards have been painted and yippee I now have somewhere to sit again to have my breakfast cuppa and toast when the weather rules out sitting outside...

and I love my new Parisian Boutique Clock...a little treat for moi from M&S

and just so I don't forget about the crafty stuff...a parcel of Melt Art goodies arrived from Personal Impressions for my Kath's Klub "Have Fun With The Melt Pot" classes at the Papeterie on 27th July...

and how could I refuse a special request from Grandson Oliver...a card for his teacher but big enough for the whole class to sign...knowing the size of P1 kiddies writing...a gargantuan paper engineering tall order...

but I'll love you and leave you until tomorrow when I'll be sharing the canvas we're making today...

Hugs Kath xxx

DIY and other miscellaneous blues...

Hi folks...the time has come when I really should be getting my DIY head on again but I can't seem to gee my ginger in that department...after a week and a bit of handing over the reins to my hunky joiners with the house filled with the sounds of hammering clattering and lots of chatter...they've gone and it's so quiet but before I descend into a doom and gloom rant...I have to say I'm loving my new flooring...

but there's still oodles to do before I feel I'm no longer living on a building site...6 doors...frames and what feels like miles of skirting boards to paint...better stock up on the masking tape then...along with a crafty list of War & Peace proportions...right this minute I'm thinking I may just join my Furry Partner at that clinic he's thinking of booking himself into.
I know Rome wasn't built in a day and there's light at the end of every tunnel but I can't help but be sorely tempted to go down the "does anybody know a good painter and decorator" route and the "tearing my hair out" technology saga reared it's head again...I think the fault lies with Mr BT and a "may be on the way out" Home Hub...all seems to be well after resetting it...for the moment that is but I'm taking no chances...I'm off to speak to the nice man at BT about a replacement...mind you the thought of moving units in the cubbyhole to connect up a new one isn't exactly filling me with joy either but enough of the Moaning Minnie tales of woe...time to put my happy "all's well with the world" face on...forget about DIY...technology and crafty lists and go kick up my heels with the Friday girls...now there's a thought...I wonder if they would be up for a painting party in exchange for a free lunch.

Have fun whatever you've got planned and I'll see you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx