The Kitting Is Finished...April Fool

Hi folks...it was very tempting to play a little April Fool's Day joke on you all and tell you that the kitting marathon is finished but it ain't true and in my usual  "off on a tangent"  fashion...it took me on a trip down memory lane...back to my school days and the fun we had playing April Fool tricks on our classmates...how innocent and naive we were...I doubt if the kids nowadays are so easily amused. The kitting may not be done but we're definitely heading in the right direction...more than halfway now that Project No 4 has been ticked off the list...

sneaky peek time...

Projects 5 and 6 are a repeat project...one and the same...a double kitting job but hoop-de-doo the cubbyhole crew can see the wood for the trees now and are planning on having a little playtime...Tim's been busy creating the April tag for "12 Tags of 2014" and I'm sure by hook or by crook I'll be able to sneak in a little bit of mini blending tool stencilling.

And before I forget...we have a winner of Mrs McTartan's Give-Away
and this is no April Fool...
the name that came out of the hat is...
RITA (1)
my lovely buddy and fellow TH stalker admirer

e-mail me with your address Rita and I'll pop it in the post to you today

and make sure you tune into Ideal World tonight at 9pm and 11pm
Sky 644...Freeview 22...Virgin 747...Freesat 812 or you can watch live online...
for a fabulous Craftwork Cards Pick Of The Day

with lots of inspiration...more gorgeous kits and fabulous demos from my CWC buddy...

the lovely Julie Hickey

but I'll leave you with the result of all this frantic project making...my "once was clean and pristine but now headed for a rub-a-dub-dub in the tub" crafty cloth...

and if you think this is mucky...tune in tomorrow to see what one very naughty "cloth ears" hooligan has been up to but before I hit the sack there's just time to let Mr Dyson loose on the die-cutting debris ready for another's day fun in the cubbyhole

Hugs Kath xxx

Manic Monday...

Hi folks...it's going to be one of those Manic Monday kind of a days...it's amazing how the loss of one hour of your day plays havoc with your body clock and at this rate the cubbyhole crew will be flat out in full production mode Tuesday...Wednesday and maybe Thursday...yes it's another kitting marathon...Team Cubbyhole sure know how to have fun...

and Mr Vagabond has been busy too...Tattered Florals are everywhere

a little sneaky peek of Project Numero Tres (3)...

I was thinking that we might just nail all the kitting over the weekend...crikey OPTIMISTIC or what and very UNREALISTIC...with still 3 projects to kit...you could say I got my wishful thinking calculations badly wrong. Problem was I discovered how wonderful this little tool is and couldn't resist a little stencilling session...if you've already got your mini blending tools...you'll know just what I mean...

if not...hang in there folks...they seem to be like gold dust at the moment but if you click HERE  David & Brenda at Craft Obsessions will e-mail you as soon as they are back in stock.

Time to muster the troops and get back to the production line.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

I love my Mum...

Hey...a very good morning to all my lovely bloggy friends...it's your "long time no see" favourite bundle of golden deliciousness" taking charge of the old keyboard this morning to wish all you lovely Mums out there a very Happy Mother's Day...

I had planned on making a card for My Mum but she's been stuck to the cubbyhole like glue churning out some crafty projects...the old deadlines looming thingy again and things must be serious when she took a rain check on her usual "kick up her heels" day off with the lovely Friday girls so drastic measures were called for and Dad was dispensed to M&S to buy one...I know shockeroonie...ssshhh I won't tell if you don't and suddenly chocolates are off the gift list...apparently she's determined to get rid of the wobbly tum before the big Bling Fling Charity Walk so I splashed the piggy bank cash on the next best thing...a huge bunch of exotic blooms...crikey if I'd known that the total spend was going to clean me out completely ...I would have nabbed some of the golden beauties from the garden 

And breakfast in bed is out of the question...somehow I don't think she'll be too happy with doggy paw hairs all over her morning toast and with feet the size of mine I've never managed to get to grips with the kettle...let alone carrying the tray upstairs so that's another NO...NO...but I know my OLD MUM...she likes nothing better than snuggling up on the sofa of a Sunday with me and the Sunday papers for company so because I LOVE MY MUM....I'll be only too happy to oblige.

enjoy your special day everyone

Hugs and Furry Snuggles

Buddy xxx

Back on the Hamster Wheel...

Hi folks...I'm back on the hamster wheel...busy busy busy finishing off the projects for the Spring Retreat at The Papeterie 11th-13th April  which means that the cubbyhole crew will soon be back in manic kitting mode again...die cutting...measuring...chopping and bagging up the materials for 6 projects but hey ho it's keeps them out of mischief and me out of the biscuit tin...a couple of cheeky sneaky peeks for those lucky retreaters...

and woohoo 

CANDI LOVE WEEK

is here over at the Craftwork Cards blog

hosted by our lovely Marie...the absolute Queen of All Things Candi

a whole week of Candi Fun for those of you who love CANDI...

you'll be treated to lots of inspiration and there are chances to win loads of goodies and yummy Candi...

you can even win by just leaving a comment so don't forget to pop over everyday to the Craftwork Cards Blog for a look and why not tell your crafty friends too...us crafters love to share.

There's been a lot of ticking stuff off the crafty list this week and just when I think I'm beginning to clear the decks...lo and behold a few more have jumped on to the bottom meaning that my plans for returning to the DIY painting doors frames and skirting boards project have hit the skids...the Grand Designs Project Manager is failing miserably to keep to any kind of schedule...I knew it wouldn't be finished for Christmas past but I'm now left wondering if it will be completed for the Christmas to come.

Don't forget to put your clocks forward an hour tonight....OK I know it means an hour less in your kip but hey it will all be worthwhile for lighter evenings and fingers crossed some lovely Spring weather.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Time Flies...

Hi folks...time and tide wait for no man...it's hard to believe that we're almost at the end of March already...that Christmas really was a whole 3 months ago and that this time last week I was in Birmingham having lots of fun with all the lovely folks who attended the Fiskars workshops...it just seems that one minute I'm all set up on Thursday morning...waiting for the first bunch of crafters to arrive...

and before you know 23 workshops are done and dusted and it's the last one on Sunday afternoon and here's what we made...a Fridge magnet using the Fuse Creativity System...Scalloped Square Die and Letterpress Plate and the new Intricate Punches...Sunflower and Butterfly to create the decoration...

the punching out of the scruffy flower caused great hilarity at each workshop...little did I know that the paperback I chose was a rather racy novel...competition was fierce amongst these fun loving crafters to find who had the rudest word on their book pages...

and although it's lovely to spend my days with folks who share my passion for all things papercrafting - thanks again girls for your fun company - I do look forward to spending my evenings with my adorable Fiskars buddies...chilling out in the hotel bar...nattering about this that and the other...

or trying out new places to eat and the Coast To Coast American Restaurant and Bar at the Touchwood Centre in Solihull will definitely be on our itinerary in November

But it's back to the day job...just me in the cubbyhole with only The Furry Boy for company...he's very good at listening but it's definitely a bit of a one-sided conversation so I'm already looking forward to my next Fiskars adventure at the NEC in November with my adorable Fiskars buddies...we're a cosmopolitan mix of nationalities...French English and Scottish...OK there's the occasional problem understanding each other's accents causing much hilarity and we have been known to resort to Google for a translation to make ourselves understood but we have those all important "get along" ingredients in common...the universal language of FUN and a wicked sense of humour which guarantees that life is never dull in Fiskars Land....love you all loads and can't wait to see you again and if the rest of the year passes as quickly...it will be here before we know.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

It's A Mrs McTartan Give-Away...

Hi folks...crikey nearly the end of another week and I'm busy busy busy working on the last projects for the Spring Retreat at The Papeterie...only 2 weeks away now...no pressure then...so I've dug into the archives and am sharing a card I made with some of the new 2014 Fiskars products...

AdvantEdge Punch System Celtic Cartridge

Hearts Interchangeable Border Punch Cartridge

Sunflower Intricate Shape Punch

Extra Large Scalloped Circle Squeeze Punch

Medium Heart Squeeze Punch

 for this month's issue of Simply Cards and Papercraft...

and it just so happened that Practical Publishing were my next door neighbours at the NEC and woohoo my lovely Sizzix buddy...the fabulously talented Pete Hughes was demonstrating on their stand...

and it was lovely to finally meet Chris...the member of the Practical Publishing Team that I send my Fiskars projects to...he kindly gave me a copy of this month's mag featuring my card but he was a little surprised when I dissolved into fits of laughter...correct photo but apparently I've changed my name to Ruth Mackie-McCartan...he was mortified at the mistake and kept apologising but hey ho these things happen...it's no big deal but as always my Fiskars buddies were quick to see the potential for some mickey taking...I suspect this member of the team will forever be known as "Mrs Kath McTartan"

And I have a spare copy of Simply Cards and Papercraft to give-away along with this month's free gift...3 beautiful Spring Embossing Folders...

so if you would like to own this limited edition collectors item featuring Mrs McTartan's card...all you have to do to enter is leave your name with Mr Inlinkz before 8pm on Monday 31st March and I'll announce the winner bright and early on Tuesday morning.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

The Saga of Mrs Sat Nav...

Hi folks...the saga of yet another of my "couldn't make it up if you tried" adventures but this time it wasn't me that was having Mrs Numptie moments but more about that in a mo.  Set Up Day is always a bit frantic and with 280 squares to be cut from the magnet paper I was in need of some  "time to bring out the big guns" assistance and it just so happens that I work for a company that is renowned worldwide for it's cutting tools so I grabbed the brand new Fiskars Procision Rotary Trimmer...a serious piece of kit which made light work of this task and it sure impressed this "been around the block a few times" crafter...

the dual rail system eliminates blade wiggle ensuring you get straight ultra precise cuts every time. The Rotary Bypass blade never needs replacing and will cut multiple layers of cardstock, paper and thin chipboard. And the added bonus for us crafters...it folds for easy storage and transportation.  I haven't got mine yet...no room in the suitcase I'm afraid but I'm hoping he'll arrive soon along with this rather cool tote for my Fuse... 

which I have already earmarked as my new hold luggage for the Birmingham trips...very spacious...no more worries about fitting in lots of crafty splurge purchases.

But back to the saga of Mrs Sat Nav...after set up...half of the weary Fiskars team...Hina at the wheel...our lovely Commander in Chief Caroline in the back with the luggage and me as back up navigator set off on what we thought was a short hop onto the motorway and off again to arrive at our hotel but Mrs SN had other ideas and goodness knows what page of the map she was looking at...she kept repeating "take the 6th exit at the roundabout" so we did and lo and behold there was our hotel but on the other side of the motorway...not daunted by such a little hiccup we continued...waiting for her to update but suddenly she was silent so we drove on until we could do a U turn and head back to the roundabout thinking that perhaps we had miscounted the exits...counting carefully we took the 6th exit...yes...help my kilt the same very one and here we are again in sight of our hotel with no way to get to it so we put our heads together and worked out that it wasn't the 6th exit we needed to take but the 5th so maths isn't her strong point either.  We remembered from November that there was a petrol station just before the entrance to the hotel and as we turned in Mrs SN was busy telling us to "keep right and continue for another 1.5 miles". But ever optimistic the Fiskars girls left the hotel each morning hopeful that today would be the day she would get it right...

but it wasn't to be and every night we left the show to embark on another "where will we end up" adventure requiring a "head in my hands...get me a drink" visit to the bar...

our trip to a local Toby Carvery on Saturday night to meet up with our lovely Fiskars buddy Rachel was hilarious...Mrs Sat Nav took us via Coventry...5 miles in completely the wrong direction when the venue was only a hop skip and a jump from our hotel so determined to prove that our navigational skills were better than hers...on the way home we switched this crazy lady off and did it our way....yeeehaaa there were cheers of delight and lots of hooping and hollering when we pulled into the hotel car park and headed for the bar to celebrate.

See you all tomorrow with more news from The NEC and a little give-away

Hugs Kath xxx

Blimey with a capital B...

Hi folks...today's the day that the day after the day after syndrome kicks in...hard to describe how I feel right now...parts of my body that I never knew existed are currently aching...I feel as though I've been trampled by a stampeding herd of elephants...run over by a convoy of trucks and flew all the way home hanging on to the back of the plane but hopefully in a few days I'll be back to running about like a headless chicken again...thank goodness my Bling Fling Walk wasn't scheduled for this coming weekend or I'd be doing it on my hands and knees.
And talking of Bling Fling I was absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity of the lovely crafty folks at The NEC and thanks to David from Samuel Taylor, David and Brenda from Craft Obsessions, Jane and Penny from Art of Craft... my lovely Fiskars teamie Lynne...special crafty buddy Carol...the lovely folks who came to the Fiskars Workshops and the lovely guy at Aberdeen Airport...I have boosted my sponsorship total by £133.25...thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart.
But back to the mystery of the 4kgs heavier coming home suitcase...how could that have happened when my NEC shopping list was rather modest...the usual must-have Timmie stuff from the lovely David and Brenda at the Craft Obsessions stand which is always rather handily situated across the way from the Fiskars stand.

OK there was the odd extra little splurge here and there...a blending mat from Clarity Stamps...

but nothing that was going to create suitcase packing nightmares...how wrong was I.

You may remember my fascination with the gorgeous gorgeous creations by Jenny Muncaster at Stitches using Pebeo products..beautiful art canvasses which the lovely Ashley from Pebeo assured my Fiskars teamie Hina and I that we could create and promised us a little goodie box to play with...if this is little...I dread to think what big would be...

but with absolutely not a scoobie doo how to use all these products...Jenny...Ashley and the Pebeo team 

very kindly gave us a fabulous one to one workshop at the end of the day...

and here's what I made...our 15 minutes dribbling products everywhere was great fun...left to dry overnight and the texture is amazing...

still have a long way to go before I can make anything as gorgeous as the huge canvasses Jenny created at the show...

but would I have room for all my goodies...a practice packing run was required back at the hotel and it quickly became clear that I might just be able to fit everything into my suitcase if I wore 6 layers of clothes on the way back...that was until Rob MDF Man set the cat amongst the pigeons...Blimey with a capital B...there was no way on earth I would manage to squeeze these beauties in...

but my lovely Fiskars teamie Hina came to the rescue and kindly agreed to speak nicely to Mr Hermes so they are scheduled to arrive in the cubbyhole soon...meanwhile I need to have a bit of a clear the decks session but I'll be back tomorrow to share our "couldn't make it up if you tried" adventures in the company of crazy Mrs Sat Nav.

Hugs Kath xxx

Home Sweet Home...

Hi folks...the intrepid traveller is home...

rather weary after my flight was delayed for an hour at Birmingham International...nothing else for it but to detour to the bar for a large glass of something comforting...

As always I had 5 fun fabulous days with hilarious sat nav travel adventures thrown into the mix with my lovely Fiskars teamies...loads of laughs with crafting friends and the fun company of all the lovely folks who joined me for the Fiskars Workshops...another been there...done it and got the NEC workshop T shirt adventure but there's no place like home and was I glad to finally see the lights of Aberdeen as we began our descent to the airport...so looking forward to snuggling down tonight in my own bed with my gorgeous Furry Hot Water Bottle with no 6 o'clock alarm call in the morning and oops oops oops...surprise surprise the suitcase was 4kgs heavier on the way home...no idea how that could have happened but I'll be back tomorrow to tell all.

Hugs Kath xxx

Home James Home...

Hi folks...it's SUNDAY...the last day of the show and as much as I've enjoyed my time in Birmingham with my lovely Fiskars buddies and the crafty folks who took time out to keep me company at the Fiskars Workshops...I'm also looking forward to heading for the airport and my "Home James Home and don't spare the horses" flight back home...I sure have missed snuggling up in my own bed with my gorgeous Furry Hot Water Bottle.
In the meantime I'm sharing a couple of cards I made before I left with the "Wallflower Paper Stash". After finishing a mega tidy up the cubbyhole filing everything away session...darn it I found a load of scraps sitting beside the guillotine...crazy I know...I would have been quicker retrieving the pack and slotting them in but I couldn't resist one last play...isn't it strange how the mind of a crafter works sometimes but that's a topic that could be debated at a G8 summit...anyway here are my Wallflower Scrap cards...

I'm entering this card into the Vintage Journey Challenge 2 - Say It With Words...you should know by now I'm a big big fan of Tim's Remnant Rubz

Toodle-oo for now

I'll see you all tomorrow from the cubbyhole

Hugs Kath xxx

A Wallflower Obsession...

Hi folks...I can't believe it's Saturday already...I'm girding my loins for the busiest day of the show...today's the day that busloads of eager beaver crafty folks descend on The NEC from far and wide determined to spend their pennies on loads of crafty stash...making a quick trip to the loo or to grab a coffee into an Olympic elbows out...excuse me expedition.
But it's also the day that us Fiskars girls kick up our heels on a night out...my gorgeous bestest buds Hina and Rachel...

will be leading me wildly astray no doubt on what is fast becoming a twice yearly tradition...a visit to our favourite carvery for a great big nosh up...a liquid refreshment or two and a good old "set the world to rights" natter.

But back to the crafty stuff and another little "playtime" project I made with what is currently my favourite Tim Holtz papers...the Wallflower Paper Stash has become a bit of an obsession..who would have thought that Tim would go down the floral route but hey I'm so glad he did....it's absolutely gorgeous...true TH Vintage Style floral gorgeous.

And I'm entering this little project for the Vintage Journey Challenge 2 - Say It With Words hosted by my lovely buddy Alison affectionately known as Butterfly

Toodle-oo for now

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx