"Happy Mail" x 2

Hi folks.. the 1st of June already and it's officially SUMMER...wouldn't it be great if that meant days and days of endless sunshine instead of a few blinks before the Man from The Met puts the dampers on it all...no lazing in the garden for us today...the forecast is rain...rain and more rain. So we're heading for the cubbyhole for a hot date with the "happy mail" DT parcel of gorgeous Craftwork Cards goodies...some tin cans and the stuff I just can't seem to get away from at the moment...PAINT...

Fingers crossed Mr Mojo plays ball and the idea that's floating around somewhere in my head for a "quick turn around" upcycling project...comes out as planned because Mr Postie just happened to deliver a second "happy mail" parcel and just in the nick of time...yes the first day of the month means that all us TH fans are waiting with bated breath for this month's "12 Tags of 2014" but while I was rummaging through the Idea-ology stash for last month's tag...I discovered that stocks were running low on some of my favourites and what a piece of luck...it just so happened that the lovely David and Brenda at Craft Obsessions were having an IDEA-OLOGY SALE...I don't know about you but this old crafter can't resist a bargain or two...

Have a happy Sunday whatever you've got planned and hang on to your galluses...the crafty girl is back in town and planning some skiving play time.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited to add: so what does the Man from The Met know about the weather...it's another gorgeous blue sky sunshiney day

The News...good...bad and woohoo...

Hi folks...it's been another crazy busy week at Chez Kath...there's good news...bad news and a bit of woohoo news...the good news is...the sun has returned to the North East of Scotland and doesn't the world look a better place when the sun is shining...I set off yesterday morning on a little stocking up on more paint shopping trip...tootling along on country roads with the car window down...a reminder of why I love where I live...peace and quiet and no scary motorway adventures in my little corner of the world...

but the bad news is...the paint is out of stock and won't be delivered until the end of next week so the DIY adventure has been put on hold but hey every cloud has a silver lining...the kitting for Project 1 is done and dusted and that's definitely good news...

 and the cubbyhole's been restored to tidy again...

or it will be once Mr Dyson works his magic...

and the best news of all is...wooohoo until Mr Postie arrives with the Craftwork Cards Top Secret Goodie Parcel...I'll be spending my time out here soaking up the sun with my feet up enjoying a cuppa or two...

and it looks like I may well be back to sharing some crafty stuff next week...in the meantime enjoy your weekend whatever you have planned

Hugs Kath xxx

Running Hither and Thither...

Hi folks...yesterday was one of those running hither and thither days...flitting from one job to another...up and down the stairs goodness knows how many times...not sure whether I was coming or going but we're celebrating a whole load of firsts...the first door has had it's second coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint...

and no sitting around waiting for paint to dry here so I headed down to the cubbyhole and woohoo yet another first...Project 1 for the Everest Challenge Charity Workshop is in the bag...

and seeing as the sun has decided to return to my neck of the woods...I couldn't resist popping out to the garden for another first...one pot planted up....just 9 to go...

And no Friday Girls meet up for me today...it's a "just me and my furry companion" day...he'll be doing what he does best...snoozing and I'll be applying the clear wax to door No 1...leaving it to dry for a few days before buffing with a soft cloth...

and then I'll skipping back downstairs AGAIN to the cubbyhole for the first kitting session...I'm on a mission to clear the decks ready for a parcel of goodies arriving tomorrow from Craftwork Cards and all I can say is...." A BRAND NEW GORGEOUS COLLECTION COMING TO YOUR TV SCREENS SOON" and I can't wait to play.

Toodle-oo for now

Hugs Kath xxx

Aren't You Lucky...

Hi folks...count yourselves lucky...I'm sparing you the ordeal of more of the dreaded sneaky peeks. I was feeling a little bit stir crazy yesterday so decided to escape the DIY shackles...get in the car and drive. First stop...B&Q for some essential DIY bits and pieces...crikey there hangs a tale...have you ever tried to find a member of staff in that establishment...it's like looking for a needle in a haystack...wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles in search of someone...ANYONE who could help and lo and behold after 20 minutes I turned a corner and there were 3...all walking my way...just like the proverbial bus...you don't see any for ages and then they all come at once. But silly me for getting my hopes up...where on earth did I get the idea that folks employed in a DIY store would have the foggiest idea what I was talking about...so I left the hapless trio scratching their heads...headed to the Garden Department and consoled myself with a boot load of bedding plants...when I'm going to find time to plant them is a whole other dilemma.
After a yummy lunch and a little afternoon jaunt around some of rural Aberdeenshire's retail establishments I popped in by my little Sis to deliver her birthday presents..she'll probably have opened them by now so I can share...

this cool storage cabinet for all her sewing bits and pieces...I know what you're thinking...did I order one for the cubbyhole...believe me I was sorely tempted but at this moment in time...space is at a premium...there ain't room to swing a proverbial cat...the goods received department are going to have their work cut out today to find space for another delivery of raffle prizes for the Everest Challenge Charity Prize Draw

and I'm beginning to think I may have to abandon any thoughts of returning to the ever shrinking cubbyhole until after the 21st June either that or chum hubby to lease me some space in the garage...crikey my ears are ringing at the very thought of what he will say if I suggest cluttering up his hallowed man space again.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Girl On A Mission...

Morning folks...perhaps I should rephrase that blog title to read...OLD girl on a mission...I'll be back in the cubbyhole today (not permanently I hasten to add)...just sneaking in while I'm waiting for today's paint job to dry but hey a little crafting fix is better than none at all. It's time that I got the old brain cells working and made a start on the projects for the Everest Challenge Charity Workshop...only 3 and bit weeks away now.

will I start with the gorgeous goodies kindly donated by Personal Impressions...

or perhaps have fun with the beautiful project kits kindly donated by Craftwork Cards...

decisions...decisions...
if all goes well...there may be some cheeky sneaky peeks tomorrow
Hugs Kath xxx

Hallelujah....

Hi folks..."HALLELUJAH"...there's been a miracle of biblical proportions...a huge divine intervention. I woke up yesterday morning struggling to put one foot past the other feeling as though I'd been kicked in the butt and not too happy about facing my morning stroll with the furry athlete. But as if by magic...the sun came out...the old brain kicked into gear and sent the correct messages to the old legs and woohoo before you know I'm stepping out with all the necessary parts functioning as normal...perhaps the fitness training paid dividends after all...no sign of the usual day after the day after syndrome...it looks like this old crafter has survived yet another adventure unscathed.
Two miracles may be chancing my luck but I sure need some motivation to get back to the DIY stuff...today's hot date involves waxing the staircase...

before we move on to the joyous task of painting the rest of the woodwork and oh my giddy aunt...more doors and I need to get a wiggle on so that I can make a start on the projects for the 

EVEREST CHALLENGE CHARITY WORKSHOP

and if you haven't got your tickets yet for the

  Everest Challenge Charity Prize Draw...

what on earth are you waiting for...

who wouldn't want to win your very own signed copy of Tim's Compendium of Curiosities...

or a personalised Idea-ology apron...

or a bundle of Idea-ology goodies to play with...

Any tips on how to deglitter a washing machine would be greatly appreciated...yesterday's washing line was all of a sparkle...not sure hubby will appreciate his new sparkly bling fling underwear.

Toodle-oo for now

Hugs Kath xxxx

Bling Fling Warts 'n All

Morning folks...it's one slightly achey...will I ever walk again crafter signing in...delighted to tell you that the fabulous Team Papeterie completed the Bling Fling Charity Walk...we're waiting for the final total raised but we think it's over £2,000....wooohooo girls well done...

and as promised...the warts 'n all team clown/fairy princess/crafter in drag...I'll let you decide...

Thankfully the weather was kind...the morning rain and fog cleared and we even had a few blinks of sun...armed with chocolate and lots of determination we set off and before you know we heard the magic words from Charlotte on the way home..."only 1KM to go girls"...back to the Bling Fling Party for a plate of stovies...wine and a peek at the In The Buff Waiters...sorry girls didn't get a photo for you all. Thanks for your fun company girls...what a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon and to answer Charlotte's question "would you do it again"....definitely YES...just not next weekend.
A great big thank you to YOU ALL for your very generous support...I couldn't have done it without you and thanks to your generosity...Bling Fling has raised over £25,000 this year for 2 very worthwhile charities.
But the Furry Boy is chomping at the bit for his morning stroll and he doesn't know it yet but it won't be 10K...this "didn't get the number of the bus that hit me" crafter will be lucky to make it to the bottom of the street.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Warts and All...

Hi folks...warts and all pics coming soon from our fun afternoon at Bling Fling...first there's a cosy bed and comfy pillow calling.

Hugs Kath xxx

Best Foot Forward...

Hi folks...today's the day I'll be putting my best foot forward or preferably stepping out with both feet perfectly co-ordinated and working in perfect harmony...yes it's the day of my

BLING FLING CHARITY WALK ADVENTURE
The North East's Pinkiest Sparkliest Charity Walk and Party

it's all weather dependent whether I cross the line with a great big happy grin or looking like a drookit rat...according to the Man from The Met...light rain is forecast...now excuse me for putting a damper on the proceedings but we all know that his idea of light rain probably means a torrential downpour so there's probably no need to load myself down with bottled water when there's every chance I'll be drenched in the stuff before I've even got going. Brollies are not permitted...the old Health & Safety "you might poke someone's eye out" thing so I've had to rethink the outfit...I did have a quick shufty round the supermarket but apparently BIN LINERS are not yet available in PINK SPARKLY material so instead of looking like the hottest of pink fairies I'm probably going to look like something that's been dumped in a skip and there's going to be an OMG disaster if the dye in my Coco The Clown hottest pink ever wig isn't waterproof...I'll be crossing the line with a permanently coloured HOT FUSCHIA PINK face and the body of a GREAT BIG RUBBER FETISH SLIMY BLOB or on the other hand...if the sun does decide to shine...there's every chance that the above mentioned  "nylon" headgear may well melt so either way I'm probably going to end up looking like a dragged through a hedge "SIGHT FOR SORE EYES".

Can I just say a huge "from the bottom of my heart" thank you to all the folks who contributed so generously to my Justgiving Page and helped me to reach my target of £500...wooohoo...your very kind and generous support is truly appreciated and come hell or high water which is more than likely according to the Man from The Met...I won't let you down...I WILL BE crossing that finishing line whether it's later today with the legs still in tact or next week on my hands and knees.

Hang on to your galluses folks...if all goes well...scary "warts and all" photos coming tomorrow.

Hugs Kath xxx

You gotta to be in it...to win it...

Hi folks...it's been a busy old week at Chez Kath...I've been getting acquainted with the old paintbrush again...cracking on with painting the staircase and there hangs a tale...another of the "it can only happen in kath's world" sagas but that's a story for another rainy day...

while the goods received department has also been kept on their toes...the cubbyhole crew have been busy busy opening more raffles prizes...yes I've said it before and I make no apologies for saying it again...I'm absolutely blown away by the wonderful generosity of crafty folks...

my lovely buddy Enfys sent a gorgeous bundle of her beautiful cards...

 and wowsers...this arrived from a very kind benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous...

but remember you "GOTTA BE IN IT TO WIN IT"...so to get all the details on how to enter this fabulous 

EVEREST CHALLENGE PRIZE DRAW

just click on the above link

and it looks there might just be another cubbyhole crew stampede to open the latest arrival...I wonder what treasures lie within...oh my giddy aunt it's just like Christmas all over again...

But I'm abandoning the DIY adventures and the raffle prize excitement today in favour of a little trip across to The Papeterie accompanied by Mr Fuse for a "try before you buy" little demo...a chance to spend some time with lovely crafty buddies...grab a coffee...have a good old blether...what better way to unwind and get in the groove for tomorrow's adventure.

Hugs Kath xxx

Everest Challenge Charity Prize Draw...

Hi folks...I've been absolutely blown away by the very generous donations of  prizes for the Everest Challenge Charity Workshop at The Papeterie on 21st June...the cubbyhole has turned into a great big crafting store room...a bonanza of fabulous goodies. I've sorted out a mega bumper bundle of prizes for the workshop participants only but there are loads left over and more still to arrive so...after receiving lots of e-mails and messages from folks who are unable to attend on the day but want to help in some way to raise funds for the Aspinall Foundation...I've decided to hold a separate Charity Prize Draw...an opportunity to raise even more funds for this very worthwhile conservation charity and after much brain storming...I think this is the best way to do it.

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE PART PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY

click on the link below which will take you to the 

 Everest Base Camp Challenge Justgiving Page

1.  The draw tickets will be £2.00 each...3 tickets for £5.00 or 6 tickets for £10

2.  Once you have decided on the amount you want to donate...please copy and paste the following into the comment box...

"Everest Challenge Charity Prize Draw"

I'm supporting Hina in raising funds for the Aspinall Foundation"

3.  Please add your name where indicated

4.  E-mail me at kathinwesthill@btinternet.com and as a thank you for your donation...I will e-mail you with confirmation of your prize draw ticket numbers.
5.  The draw will close at midnight on 20th June and the winners will be announced on the 24th June.

sadly the prize draw is only open to UK residents due to the cost of international postage...if you have any questions...please get in touch with me by e-mail. I'll leave you with the thought that YOU could be the lucky winner of some of these yummy crafting goodies.

And after the drastic change in the weather...I'm thinking I may have to hunt down a pink sparkly sou'wester...some pink blingy wellies and a brolly for Sunday.

Hugs Kath xxx

In The Pink...

Hi folks...isn't it amazing what a few days of sunshine can do...everything in the garden is bursting into life and although I'm not really a pink person...I do love the riot of hot pink loveliness from the azaleas in the front garden...

some are a bit slower to bloom than others...

some have burst into life big time...

while others are a bit slow getting started but once the sun comes out again...it's guaranteed to be another amazing pink spectacle...

and talking of spectacles...after last Friday's little shopping trip...a root around in the back of the wardrobe and a bit of beg steal and borrow from friends who are crazier than moi...oh yes there are such folks...the blingy outfit for Sunday's Bling Fling Charity Walk is coming together...

Let me tell you that the Coco The Clown headgear definitely looks better on my Furry model than it does on me but he doesn't seem convinced...

I'll be back tomorrow with exciting news

Hugs Kath xxx

"12 Tags of 2014"

Hi folks...I'm currently splattered from head to toe in paint...looking forward to yet another day with only a can of paint and a brush for company and that sure is proof that you should not believe everything you read...problem is I'm as messy when it comes to decorating as I am at crafting...all those paint specks have turned my hair white overnight just the same way that my fingers turn into messy tattie howking digits when anything Distress is around but strangely enough I managed to stay relatively pristine making this month's tag for...

"12 Tags of 2014"

I have to say I had a blast with this one...for starters that Shadowpress Debossing Folder is absolutely gorgeous...fast becoming yet another of my addictions and what fun it was rooting through the stash of all things Idea-ology looking for suitable adornments...

making these tags just wouldn't be half as much fun without the obligatory adapt and overcome adventure...I don't have the Movers and Shapers butterfly but I did happen to have the Eclectic Elements butterfly fabric on my workdesk so with a little help from double sided adhesive sheet and a scrap of grungepaper I created my own...

 and then decided to cover some of the tiles with fabric too...

I spritzed the tag with Picket Fence Distress Paint to soften it down a little bit and I'm still sitting on the fence as to whether that was a step too far but hey ho...you live and learn.

There's a distinct lack of crafting stuff to share now that the cubbyhole has temporarily shut up shop in favour of some DIY fun and I'm sure you're not remotely interested in pictures of paint drying so who knows what tomorrow's blog post is going to be...perhaps the Furry Boy will step in or perhaps I could be persuaded to share a little sneaky peek of the outfit I'll be wearing on Sunday on the Bling Fling Charity Walk...all I will say is...there's BLING and there's Kath style "crikey I hope I don't meet anyone I know" BLING.

Hugs Kath xxx

Recharging the batteries...

Hi folks...the tag is in the bag as they say and I'll be sharing tomorrow once I recharge my dead as a dodo battery...not my battery I hasten to add but the one in the camera...SOMEONE and you don't have to look very far to know who the someone was...left the camera switched on...although on reflection this old crafter's batteries might also benefit from being plugged in for a couple of hours for a bit of a top-up but that's a whole other story. In the meantime...if you've got your copy of the May issue of Simply Homemade...

you may have spotted the Coffee Break Card I made using the Fiskars Fuse Creativity System...the Thick Material Design Set Tag and Intricate Shape Medium Design Set Leaf...my favourite Tim Holtz Wallflower Paper Stash and a few Idea-ology bits and pieces...a little reminder that we'll be celebrating Father's Day  soon...

although I've used the letterpress technique on felt hundreds of times since Mr Fuse took up residence in the cubbyhole...I'm still amazed at how crisp and perfect it comes out every time...no way would you ever achieve such a clean impression on this tricky material using the traditional stamping method...

But I'm donning my DIY hat today...grabbing a brush and starting on yet another marathon...there's a staircase waiting to be transformed so I'd better get to it.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

woohoo...just saying...

Hi folks...it's a hooping and a-hollering woohoo indeedy day in the cubbyhole...the Fiskars Christmas Ho Ho Ho marathon is finished...all wrapped up and ready to be sent on it's merry way...

there's just the small hurdle of the 10 sets of step-by-step instructions to overcome but it won't be happening this morning for sure...I've got a hot date with Mr TH and the May tag...

and if Mr Mojo plays ball...I may manage to fit in a bit of sofa time with a cuppa and this month's edition of Simply Cards and Papercraft...check out the fabulous free gift...gorgeous Nitwit Collections papers from LOTV and a Happy Birthday stamp...

before I tackle the keyboard session this afternoon and clear the decks ready for the next adventure.

And woohoo did I have a very productive day at the car boot...well worth getting up at 6.00am to unload lots of stash...trash and the "why on earth would anyone want to buy that" stuff.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

The Ribbon Girl Colour Challenge...May

Hi folks...it's Sunday and time to head over to The Ribbon Girl Challenge Blog for the May Colour Challenge which is...

LILAC/PURPLE

one very purple...might need your sunshades...handbag card from me

using a cute LOTV Partytime die cut image...

Mixed Dahlia White Flowers...

Cherry Blossom Lilac White Two Tone...

Liberty Small Check Gingham

Ivory Tulle

as always there's a fabulous prize for one lucky winner from

 and

now it's time for you to head over to The Ribbon Girl Challenge Blog and check out the gorgeous inspiration from my lovely team mates and our guest designers for this month...Elaine...Tracy and Denise.

By the time you are reading this I will be at the car boot setting out my wares...fingers crossed the weather holds and there are lots of folks looking for bargains...here's hoping that someone's trash is somebody else's treasure trove.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx