guess what...

Hi folks...guess what...all's quiet on the blogging front...nothing much to report...well nothing that's going to make the national news or make the world sit up and take notice...just the same old...another crafty project finished...the one that is so hush hush and top secret that I dare not share any sneaky peeks but just between you and me...nod..nod...wink...wink...Craftwork Cards/Create & Craft...coming to your TV screens soon.

and after the Post Office run and a bit of the old tripping the light fantastic with Mr Dyson...I'll be moving on to the next...all part and parcel of the daily hamster on the wheel routine....not complaining...just saying...

And I won't be popping out to take part in the 1st of May ritual of washing my face in the morning dew...WHY...because surprise surprise...it's persisting with rain again...yes the al fresco early morning cuppas are back on hold and think about it...if that May dew stuff really worked...it would have been bottled and sold as the elixir of youth long before now.

But it's not all doom and gloom...it's Timmie Tag day and there's been happy mail...the new plates have arrived and Mr BS is back in business...he doesn't know it yet but he's in for a "working his socks off" kind of a day and a yummy parcel arrived from my lovely kind and very talented buddy Anne... artist trading block die cuts...woohoo and crinoline fabric...yippee...

I can't tell you how tempted I am to ignore the crafty list and play but hey that kind of reckless behaviour has jumped up and bitten me on the bum in the past so it's time to pull on the work hat and crack on.
Tomorrow's another day and guaranteed to be a whole lot more exciting so I hope you'll join me for a great BIG BIRTHDAY blog hop with lots of freebie give-aways and fabbie prizes to be won

Enjoy your day whatever you're doing

Hugs Kath xxx

Yippeee...

Hi folks...zippity doo da...the sun's been back in my backyard and that means we're back to the good weather early morning routine...first cuppa of the day outside at silly o'clock...truly the best time of the day...peace and quiet before the rest of the world is up and about with only my feathered friends and the Furry Boy for company...it sure is true that the best things in life are free...the things that money can't buy.

and I've made a startling discovery regarding a certain someone's Slipper Fetish...check out the cheap as chips fashion statement (NOT) slippers bought way back in January from the supermarket and hold on to your galluses folks...I'm still the proud owner of a matching pair.

It would seem that the Slipper Robber has discerning taste...a bit of a Slipper Snob in fact...if they're not M&S he's not interested either that or he's not keen on the colour RED but whatever the reason it looks like I've finally cracked it...Tesco "not in the least bit comfy" slippers it is from now on then...

But as much as I would like to sit here all day and admire the scenery...

crikey I've just noticed that the grass needs a trim...the shed needs a coat of paint and the weeds are growing like billy-o so I'm hot footing it back to the cubbyhole where there's more than enough crafty stuff to keep me busy and ponder the hard to believe thought that tomorrow is the first day of May...crikey indeed.

Enjoy your day whatever you're doing

See you tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Oh No...sneaky peeks again...

Hi folks...the die cutting gremlins seem to have left and calm has returned to the cubbyhole...probably not for long but hey ho I'm going with the flow while the going's good. Saturday's projects are done dusted and kitted...wooohoo another job ticked off the crafty list and once again I'm boring the pants off you with nothing to show but SNEAKY PEEKS and I'm as fed up of them as you probably are...perhaps it's time for a name change...Kath's Sneaky Peek Blog

but that's the way the cookie crumbles folks...all the projects I'll be working on for the foreseeable future are hush hush...top secret...lips are sealed stuff including today's playtime bundle of yummy goodies from Craftwork Cards...oh my giddy aunt are you going to love love love the latest papers from the very talented Steph...coming to your TV screens very soon and my advice to you is...get your speed dial fingers ready folks...you DO NOT want to miss out on these beauties and wait until you see what my lovely buddies on the Design Team have been making with them.

But (and it's a very big BUT) if Mr Mojo plays ball and the production line runs smoothly without me blowing anything up...I'm thinking it's nearly Timmie Tag Time again so I may just manage to break that old sneaky peek spell.

Toodle-oo for now

Hugs Kath xxx

Mr BS is back...well almost...

Hi folks...I was hoping to tell you that Mr Big Shot is back in business after surgery to repair his broken arm but there were some unfortunate complications during the procedure...

he's been patiently sitting on the crafty equivalent of the NHS waiting list but yesterday was the big day...we wheeled him in to theatre armed with all the precision instruments required for such a delicate operation...I have to say that the instructions from Sizzix were excellent so with my usual "how difficult can it be" atitude...we set to work but it just so happens that this particular surgeon is a nightmare when it comes to following instructions...even instructions that come with idiot proof step-by-step pictures. I did wonder why we were struggling to remove the cover until I discovered I'd removed the WRONG screws...needless to say...the correct screws were highlighted in red on the instructions...oops at this point of the operation Mr BS is very worried...wishing he'd gone private and I'd gone to Specsavers...

But with my usual "dog with a bone" atitude...we soldiered on until we hit the next snag..."remove the e-clips" it said before removing the old crank shaft...what e-clips...I couldn't see any e-clips until I enlisted the help of a magnifying glass...crikey this was the microscopic brain surgery part of the procedure and let me tell you they were mega fiddly diddly to remove and an even bigger "lots of bad words" challenge to replace once the new crank shaft was in place. But the perseverance paid off...one morning later...one new handle has been successfully transplated but let me reassure you...I'm absolutely useless at this type of thing...it's probably an easy peasy task for normal folks who remember to switch their brains on in the morning but if you're like me...my advice to you would be...if your handle bites the dust...ask hubby to replace the darned thing and if I had any sense I would have practiced what I preach and done the same.

But time for a proof of the pudding road test...perhaps a little bit of light duty embossing for Saturday's Kath's Klub to help break my faithful friend back in gently and quelle surprise...that didn't go too well either...note to smug self...remember to flip back Tabs 1 and 2 before you attempt that particular task or else this happens...yes idiot status well and truly confirmed...

so it's back to bed for Mr BS...he's completely traumatised by his first day back...me too matey and I've been banned by the "raised eyebrow" cubbyhole brigade from touching anything other than card and paper.

See you all tomorrow
Hugs Kath xxx

The Everest Challenge Charity Workshop

Hi folks...I'm so excited to be sharing with you news of an event coming soon to the North East of Scotland...

THE EVEREST CHALLENGE 

CHARITY WORKSHOP

my Fiskars team mate Hina will be taking on the challenge of the Ascent to Everest Base Camp in September 2015 to raise funds for the Aspinall Foundation…a very worthwhile conservation project dedicated to saving the many different species of animals across the world that are on brink of extinction including the beautiful snow leopard native to Asia and the slopes of the Himalayas and it's shocking to learn there are only 6,000 of these beautiful animals left in the wild...

so would you like to come along and join me

for a day of crafting fun at

THE PAPETERIE

on

 21st JUNE

10.00am-4.00pm

Cost…£30.00

We will be making 3 projects with some of my favourite products and tools from 
Fiskars/Sizzix/Tim Holtz/Craftwork Cards/The Ribbon Girl.

All materials to complete the projects will be supplied along with tea coffee soft drinks and biscuits…all you need to bring along is a packed lunch and your happy smiley face.

The Papeterie has kindly donated the use of the classroom for the day and will be supplying cardstock and paper for the projects…there will be fabulous raffle prizes to win…donated by lovely crafting folks...oh boy they have been so generous and I‘m waiving my tutor fee so that all the monies raised will be going to the Aspinall Foundation.

Places are limited to 20 so don’t delay…to book your place or for more details…e-mail me at 
kathinwesthill@btinternet.com

Hina did suggest I might like to tag along on this very challenging but equally exciting adventure...seriously are you having a laugh...20 years ago maybe but now I would need more than a pair of Skechers...more like new legs to complete the gruelling 12 day trek with a stretcher and tank of oxygen on stand-by so I'm taking a much easier route to support my lovely Fiskars buddy and do my bit for all the animals in the world who are struggling to survive whether it be due to loss of habitat or at the hands of poachers. We owe it to future generations to ensure that animals everywhere live the lives they were intended to...wild and free from persecution.

Hope to see you there

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited to add: lots of early birds online already....11 places taken and for those
who regularly visit The Papeterie...Doreen is bringing her yummy home baked cakes

Smack My Fingers Again...

Hi folks...yesterday's day out didn't quite go to plan...we were intending driving up to the beautiful coastal town of Cullen on the Moray Firth...

the same one that gave it's name to Cullen Skink Soup but once again the horrible dreich foggy wet weather put a damper on our plans...we didn't fancy the long drive in the company of all those idiot drivers with no lights or a stroll along the gorgeous beach licking our ice cream cones and no fun afternoon retail therapy at the famous Spotty Bag Shop either.

instead we decided to just enjoy a long lazy chatty lunch nearer to home and with the departure time set back an hour or two...there was just time for a flying visit to The Papeterie to sort out a bit of a logistical problem with the goodies for Kath's Klub so if you've signed up for next Saturday's workshops...forget yesterday's sneaky peek...there's been a bit of an about turn on what we will be making..

all because my eyes were out on stalks when I spotted a huge box of brand new and old favourite goodies from Tim Holtz waiting to make their way on to the shelves and yes smack my fingers...I've been very very naughty again...

 ooohhh...aaaahhh how could I resist the new stencils...

You and I all know that there is absolutely no cure available for this terrible wonderful affliction...all us crafty girls can do is give in to the symptoms and roll with it.  Don't tell the Friday Girls but oh boy was I tempted to call in sick and take a rain check...not being in the least bit crafty I'm sure they aren't familiar with the virus we all suffer from...Timholtzitis but I know them too well...a quick Google on their I-Phones and my cover would have been well and truly blown.

And today is going to be a play day...a very happy happy Tim Holtz play day...woohoo thank you Tim & Mario for including me in your Springtime Blogworthy Links and I am so happy to see my lovely buddies Emma...Pete...Brenda...Astrid...Jenny and Alison there too and if I can stop dancing on the ceiling I'll be back tomorrow to share some even more super duper exciting news about a fun workshop coming soon to The Papeterie.

Enjoy your weekend everyone
Toodle-oo for now

Hugs Kath xxx

Moving On To Pastures New...

Hi folks...it's been a busy old week in the cubbyhole...before we know it's Friday and the weekend is almost upon us...it looks like I'll be spending it in the cubbyhole AGAIN...not complaining...just saying. But before I ditch my Fiskars Hat and move on to pastures new...I'm sharing a sneaky peek of yesterday's project...

 and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in to this month's Kath's Klub goodies...

but that's on tomorrow's list of things to do...today I've got a hot date with my Friday Girl buddies...heading for the hills perhaps for that footwear road test...a nice stroll with an M&S picnic thrown in for good measure...well that suggestion went down like a ton of bricks...a resounding "are you having a laugh" great big NO from my "don't do the outdoors" chums. Instead we'll be heading for the latest must-visit eating establishment that's come up on their radar and it goes without saying we'll no doubt be indulging in another of their passions...a little bit of retail therapy...not complaining...just saying.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Sneaky Peek Thursday...

Hi folks...crikey what's happened to the glorious Spring weather...in the blink of an eye we're back in real grotty bah humbug weather territory again...dull dreich and persisting with rain...perfect weather for a "crack on with the crafty list" cubbyhole WORK day.  I've had a few e-mails from crafty folks concerned that I'm over-doing things...working too hard...I should be taking a break so let me explain that when I talk about "WORK"...it's not WORK in the real sense of the word...there are no early morning and late back home commutes...no 9 to 5 Monday to Friday daily grind and no boss looking over my shoulder either...the cubbyhole definition of "WORK" is having loads of fun with lots of stuff...OK there are deadlines and the dreaded step-by-steps attached and I know I moan from time to time but that's just me letting off steam...the old safety net we all need when the going gets tough so take a leaf out of the cubbyhole crew's book and take NO NOTICE of me when I'm having a moaning minnie day  Today is one of those days that reminds me of just how lucky I am to work with the fabulous team at Fiskars who have given me so many great opportunities not least of which is I get to PLAY... oops WORK with their fabulous products and they understand my need occasionally to sneak in a little bit of a certain someone else's fabulous products too.

So once the coat of Gesso is dry...it's going to be a fun messy painty inky "I love my job" kind of a day with the last of the Fiskars projects ticked off the crafty list and I promise there will be no mention of the keyboard session that will inevitably follow. In the meantime...as the blog post title suggests...I'm sharing some sneaky peeks of stuff that will be appearing on a magazine shelf near you and in Fiskars monthly newsletters soon.

Enjoy your day whatever you're doing
Toodle-oo for now
Hugs Kath xxx

Help Ma Kilt...

Hi folks...well help ma kilt...trust the good old British weather to take a turn for the worse and put the dampers on yesterday's adventure...yes we had to take a rain check on our day out to one of my favourite places. Loch Muick on the Balmoral Estate with it's breathtaking scenery is one of the most beautiful places on earth and the 10 mile walk around the loch on a good day weatherwise is a great way to blow away the cobwebs and lose yourself in the beauty and splendour of Mother Nature...

but believe me it's no walk in the park when it's persisting with horizontal rain...the cloud cover has rolled down to ground level...there's an almighty hooley blowing through the Glen and the water is running out of the arse of your breeks. Not the kind of conditions to road test my new best buddy footwear...they may be the bees knees in the comfort department but I have a sneaky feeling they would have failed miserably coping with the wet slippery muddy bogged down conditions of a walk on the wild side in the Scottish Highlands so in the meantime they're back in their box snuggled up in the wardrobe awaiting a change in the weather.
So what was I going to do with my "away from the cubbyhole" day...returning to the "put on the back burner" D.I.Y. marathon didn't appeal...neither did a slob out TV watching sofa day...I'm not good at the old twiddling my thumbs stuff and if I'd known then what I know now...I should have hightailed it back to the cubbyhole for some playtime instead of going for the...what only can only be described as "what was I thinking about" brain dead option of venturing out to the "bursting at the seams with junk" garage for what I thought would be a quick "few trips to the skip" morning starting off with the first of many "why did I keep all the empty boxes" loads of the day...

I'm convinced that junk goes into breeding mode when it's stored in a cool dark space and after many many trips with the car loaded to the gunnels later...I'm not much further forward...anyone want a dining table and 6 chairs.

and right at the back of this pile of  "has to go" stuff...there's a sideboard which I'm thinking might just make a perfect storage solution for the cubbyhole after an Annie Sloan make-over but I have to reach it first.

There's been another tower of stuff added to the already mountainous pile destined for the car boot...problem is when I'm in the mood for loading up the car and dragging myself out of bed at silly o'clock on a Sunday morning...the weather never plays ball and when the sun is shining I can't be bothered...

And what I didn't know was...while I was having fun decluttering the junk space...more Fiskars projects popped into my Inbox...so that's put paid to today's play day...c'est la vie as my Fiskars buddies would say...it's going to be another "back to the day job" kind of a day...not complaining...just saying.

And back to the crafty stuff...an e-mail from the lovely Stephanie...Editor of Simply Cards & Papercraft also popped into my Inbox to let me know that this card is featured on the Papercraft Magazines blog using my favourite Fuse Die...Hexagon and my favourite Intricate Shape Punch...the gorgeous Sunflower...

It's dismal raining and foggy foggy outside so I'm off to put my "ever onward...best foot forward and get on with it" hat on and I'll see you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

A "Jumping Ship" Road Test...

Hi folks...it's been a week of fast furious Fiskars crafting in the cubbyhole...the usual mania of "where is Mr Mojo when you need him" projects to nail...a full on "chained to my workdesk" 24/7 marathon but the fun bit is I got to play with this yummy bundle of gorgeous Kaisercraft papers and stamps...

the not so FUN bit was the qwerty keyboard session of typing up the " crikey...how many still to do" instructions...

that was one Mamma of a day...15 rounds of step-by-step torture requiring the big girl knickers and lots and lots of coffee but we made it and it don't half feel good when it's all photographed/e-mailed or packed up and posted. And I think the cubbyhole crew deserve a little treat don't you...The Furry Boy and his Mum are jumping ship...having a little "downing tools mutiny" day...ditching our crafty hats and heading off to them thar hills for a little peace and quiet adventure...

to recover from our pulled through a hedge backwards week

and 

to road test my new footwear for the next challenge...my 10K Bling Fling Charity Walk adventure

oh boy...I can't believe these guys have escaped my attention until now...COMFY doesn't come close...they are UBER UBER HEAVEN for your tootsies...like walking on a great big fluffy cloud but the real test will be how they perform on today's planned 10K trek up and down the hills of Aberdeenshire...I'm confident I won't be retracting the previous statements but hey ho...famous last words and all that has jumped up and bitten me on the bum before so watch this space.

But before we can vacate the cubbyhole...there's the product laden workdesk...

 and the punch debris floor to deal with...

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Mellow Yellow...

Hi folks...I've had another play with my yummy April DT goodies from The Ribbon Girl and although the colour yellow is normally way out of my cardmaking comfort zone...I have to say I'm loving the mellow yellow of Scattered Straw Distress Paint mixed with the Burlap panels...the gorgeous Mixed White Dahlia...Ivory Dahlia Resin Flat Back flowers and that zingy Gold Candy Check Ribbon...a very Springlike colour palette which by the way doesn't match the temperature outside...it's returned to that old familiar more like Autumn heading for Winter.

 a little bit of stencilling on the white panels and lots and lots of my favourite Remnant Rubz...

but it's spot the deliberate mistake time...oops I never noticed that little bit of Redline Carrier Tape until I uploaded the photo and to be honest I couldn't face a repeat of the "nightmare to get a half decent photo" session.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

The Ribbon Girl-April Colour Challenge...

Hi folks...Happy Easter everyone...are you all getting ready to go and roll your eggs...no me neither...to be honest we've been tempted by the chocolate variety since they appeared on the supermarket shelves just after Christmas and I'm thinking I've already exceeded this year's quota so I may be settling for the boiled variety with toasty soldiers for breakfast this morning.
It's a bonnie sunshiney Spring morning...the third Sunday in April which means it's time to join in the fun over at The Ribbon Girl Challenges and Inspiration Blog and the colour for this month's challenge is...surprise...surprise...

LEMON/YELLOW

I couldn't resist using a sheet of Burlap from my new DCVW Paper Pad...adding a little bit of Wendy Vecchi's fabulous White Embossing Paste through Tim's Burlap Stencil and finishing off with Label Letters to create the sentiment...

Mixed Dahlia White

Mimosa Yellow Seam Binding

Rosebuds Large Yellow Two Tone

Winter Cones Frosted Brown

Celery Green Loopy Trim

So it's time for you to get in the Springtime mood and pop over to The Ribbon Girl Challenges and Inspiration Blog to check out the gorgeous inspiration from my team mates and if you play along you may well be the lucky winner of the fab prizes up for grabs from...

The Ribbon Girl

 and our lovely chums at LOTV...

Enjoy your day whatever you're planning to do...

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Pots of Easter Fun...

Hi folks...Happy Easter Weekend everyone...it's my turn to post over on the Craftwork Cards Blog today and seeing as this is the time of year when eggs are filling our thoughts...yes I do mean the chocolate variety...I thought I would have a little bit of fun recycling some cute paper cups I found at the back of a cupboard probably left over from a bygone Easter and at the same time use up the gorgeous die cut flowers from the Flower Shop Pop-Up Box Cards Kit...to find out how I went about this little make-over...all will be revealed over at the Craftwork Cards blog...

perfect to decorate your Easter Sunday Lunch table...

with a sweet little treat for your guests to nibble at with their after lunch coffee...

Once again I over-estimated the amount of the delicious mini eggs required to complete the project and as His Furriness is not allowed chocolate...say no more...nod...nod...wink...wink.

I'll be back tomorrow to share my DT make for the April Colour Challenge over at The Ribbon Girl Challenge Blog...in the meantime have a fun weekend whatever you've got planned.

Hugs Kath xxx

A "sod's law" fun day...

Hi folks...it's sods law that the great big yellow ball in the sky has decided to return to my neck of the woods and I'm stuck in the cubbyhole tackling the great big crafty list although I have managed to sneak out to the garden for some coffee breaks...more than normal perhaps but there's no clocking in and out at this particular workplace so who's counting.
I'm having to take a rain check on this week's Friday Girls Adventure (sorry girls-up to my eyeballs in crafty stuff again) and a break from the Fiskars stuff to have a fun day finishing off my DT projects for the weekend and guess what's jumped back on to my workdesk...yes it's that Burlap Paper Pad that I've been itching to play with and the 8"x8" sheets of canvas and cute ruler wooden shapes that I've been stalking for weeks have arrived...

 along with this month's parcel of yummy goodies from The Ribbon Girl...

it looks like it's going to be a naughty naughty "temptation is everywhere"  kind of a day in more ways than one...all because the cubbyhole purchasing department has done the maths and got it wrong again.

Crikey the end of another week is looming...must dash...lots to do.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx