A Quick Little Number...

Hi folks...well here we are at the beginning of another month...can you believe it's September already...it sure is scary how quickly this year is going...before you know it'll be...CHRISTMAS but back to here and now. I've been busy working away at the Fiskars/Eclectic Elements magazine commission...2 projects down...one to go. I had a bit of a lightbulb moment for using up the pile of little left over bits...the scraps I couldn't bring myself to throw away so I gathered them all up...cut out a pile of hexagon shapes using The Fuse and the Hexagon Die...with the intention of running up a "quick little number" pin cushion...

I found a tutorial online and set to work...hemming each hexagon around a slightly smaller hexagon shape cut from card...then settled down on the sofa to handstitch all the blighters together...pack in the stuffing...stitch the 8th hexagon in place to close...not to mention sewing on all those buttons...

it is very cute and I'm happy with how it turned out but my eyes were out on stalks by the time I'd finished the miles of handstitching. If you're an experienced sewer blessed with lots of  patience it would probably be a piece of cake little project but I'm assuming that most of the readers just like me will not fall into this category so I've decided not to include my "quick little number...my foot" project in the magazine commission...after all...the step-by-step instructions might read like this.

PIN CUSHION PROJECT

Time to Complete: 7 hours

What you will need: Fabric...needle and thread...
lots of patience...
20/20 vision or spectacles with lenses like milk bottle tops...

and many many cups of coffee

and if that didn't put you off...well you're braver than I am. The fabrics I used are

Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements Phase 2

Photo Card Multi

Correspondence Taupe

It's back to the "you win some...you lose some" drawing board today for Project No 3 then.

Hugs Kath xxx

Fun at Kath's Klub...

Hi folks...another fun day at The Papeterie yesterday with the lovely crafty folks who come along to Kath's Klub...a day playing with Tim's brand new Christmas Blueprints 4 and Handwritten Holidays stamps...

 having fun with the Holly Bough Stencil...

 and Remnant Rubz - Numbers

 finishing off with some fun Texture Paste Finger Dabbing...

I'll be back later in the week to share what we made along with some hoop-de-doo exciting NEWS but in the meantime it's going to be a Fiskars/Eclectic Elements...handstitching snuggled up on the sofa...day

See you all tomorrow...

Hugs Kath xxx

Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining...

Hi folks...the weather's been awful for the past 2 days...not a smidgen of blue sky in sight...nothing but dark ominous clouds and lots of rain but every cloud has a silver lining as they say. Being marooned in the cubbyhole has meant I've been cracking on with the crafty list and am looking forward to the next project...a 3 Page Simply Homemade magazine commission for Fiskars using the new Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements fabrics...a chance for Mr Fuse and Mr Janome to get together and create some magic...well that's the plan...

And after yet another day of 3 soggy doggy strolls yesterday I'm looking forward to handing that honour over to hubby today and heading off to The Papeterie for a fun "Christmas With Tim Holtz" day at Kath's Klub...unfortunately the man himself won't be making an appearance...those lovely crafty folks will just have to settle for ME and a day indoors playing with lots of Tim's fabulous products.
I know you are waiting with bated breath for the results of the Furry Boy's first Weigh-In at Weight Watchers Club yesterday...crikey I could hardly look...my eyes were tightly closed as he stepped on to the scales...I was willing those numbers to be less than a week ago and woohooo fabulous news...he's managed to lose 0.6KG (1.23 lbs) in a week...wow 11.54% of his target weight loss...well done Buddy...

There was much hooping and a-hollering from the receptionist...the vet nurse and this proud Momma...the Furry Boy didn't seem to share our excitement...until he heard the magic words "well Buddy I think that deserves a special treat"...resulting in a lightning bolt dash to launch himself at the vet nurse...thankfully she still has all her fingers intact and I swear it never touched the sides. It looks like we're right on track with the diet...I'm looking forward to next Friday's hot date with the scales and no doubt The Furry Boy will be listening out for those magic words again.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

It's not all good news...

Hi folks...the old British weather never fails to amaze...Summer returned to Bonnie Scotland this week and we've been enjoying alfresco breakfasts again...

well I should say I am...while the Furry Boy looks on in anticipation...what doesn't he understand about the word DIET...absolutely no sneaky treats allowed and it's been great to be out and about without the need for the "Nanook Of The North jacket" again...

but sure as fate it all changed within 24 hours and we're back to the cold miserable rain like stair rods stuff again. Just when I thought I'd managed to keep my head down...duck under the radar so to speak...I was nominated for the Ice Bucket Challenge. After lots of "Will I-Won't I" I've decided to opt out of the challenge but the cubbyhole crew have donated to...

MND Scotland...

Water Aid UK... 

and my friend Louise's Clan Landmark Walk Justgiving Page...

call me chicken...wimp...party pooper...whatever...when you live in the frozen north...it could mean hypothermia...pneumonia and at my age...possible cardiac arrest and hey I'm far too busy to spend a week in intensive care. Joking aside...I've never been a follow the flock person...am way too long in the tooth now to bow to peer pressure and at the end of the day what's more important...making a difference to peoples' lives with a donation or boring your fellow Facebookers to tears with yet another squealing crafter being drenched in what to lots of people in the world is a very precious commodity...we all take having clean running water on tap for granted and it's easy to be wasteful when you don't have to walk half a day to fill your bucket. After 3 very wet "chucking it down with rain" doggy strolls yesterday...returning home with water running out the ar*e of my breeks...3 hot showers and 3 changes of clothes later...I think I've more than qualified with my personal "Heavens Opened Soaked Right Through" Challenge.

And hey...it's Friday...time to unlock the shackles...escape from the cubbyhole and take off for a "kicking up my heels" day with the Friday Girls...probably dancing in the rain if the weather forecast is anything to go by.

Enjoy your day whatever you've got planned

Hugs Kath xxx

Weighing In...

Hi everybody...it's your favourite bundle of golden deliciousness popping in to update you on what's been happening this week and it's far more serious than any silly cubbyhole crafting catastrophes...

In a nutshell...it's been a difficult week...I've started on my very portion controlled diet or torture might be a better word...everything weighed out meticulously...2 portions of 115 grams per day and that includes treats...she who must be obeyed is in charge of preparation so there's no opportunity to cheat...

The new gourmet dining sure does taste good...there's just not enough of it...it's a special Weight Loss food and according to my lovely vet nurse...although it looks less it actually fills you up more...crikey what does she know...right this minute I could eat a scabby horse.  But I have my first weigh in tomorrow and after almost a week of being "don't have an option" good...paws crossed we'll see the digital numbers tumbling on the scales. And to add insult to injury...while this "so called" fatty can only dream of all those delicious doggy treats...the other "definitely" fatty member of the cubbyhole crew was tucking into a big juicy chunk of Aberdeen Angus yumminess the other night...

 with "I would love to get my chops around" super duper crispy home made chips...

and would you believe that my old crafty Mum had the cheek to be surprised that I was drooling all over her trousers but I'm planning on getting my own back today...woof woof...bring on The Ice Bucket Challenge.

sending Big Furry Hugs & Snuggles

from a very hungry and disgruntled

Buddy xxx

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah or maybe not...

Hi folks...the cubbyhole crew were feeling decidedly zip-a-dee-doo dah yesterday...rather smug and pleased with ourselves in fact...with Kath's Klub to prep for Saturday...the Retreat only 4 weeks away and the Workshop Project for The NEC required tout suite for advertising and promotional purposes...were we going to fail miserably...had we bitten off more than we could chew this time...apparently not...we had a real wham bam...thank you Ma'am Mr Mojo pulled out all the stops kind of a day.

Kath's Klub is sorted...

the projects for The Retreat are nearly there and woohoo the Fiskars Workshop Project is in the bag...approved and all ready for kitting...a "sticking my neck out again" little sneaky peek...

BUT you know me...this crafty old girl never does things by halves so there was bound to be a great big BUT. I decided to use extra thick corrugated card to demonstrate the cutting power of the Procision trimmer...not the bog standard manufactured sheets of A4 stuff either...Mrs Living Dangerously had to have the proper packing box industrial type corrugated card...perfect for a bit of ripping and distressing so was I chuffed when I managed to get a pile of said boxes from The Papeterie..

however the euphoria was short lived...I'm not feeling so zip-a-dee-doo dah now...I omitted to take into account that SOMEONE and guess who that will be...has been allocated the task of chopping them up into 280 pieces...forgive the pun but it seems I've made another cut off my nose to spite my face decision.
And today...I'm on a mission to paint 50 sheets of chipboard but you know what they say...when the going gets tough..the tough get going so I'll be whistling while I work and treating the cubbyhole crew to a sing-a-long medley of...

"Oh Happy Day"

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

More Potting Shed Makes

Hi folks...time to share more makes from the fabulous "Potting Shed" from Craftwork Cards...

a gift bag to hold a potted plant or perhaps yesterday's "Sitting On The Fence" wall hanger...

and I made another wall hanger using the gorgeous toppers and fabulous sentiments but forgot to take a photo of the complete thing in my rush to get the samples in the mail...

But it's time to leave The Potting Shed and head back to the cubbyhole for what can only be described as a "back to the wall...right up to the wire" last minute Annie kind of a day...I've still got the projects for Kath's Klub at The Papeterie on Saturday to kit so time to switch on the kettle and rally the troops for another "all hands to the pump" frantic crafty session.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

In The Potting Shed...

Hi folks...Did you find time to tune in to Create and Craft over the weekend for the launch of Craftwork Cards...

"The Potting Shed"

I was lying in wait ready to rugby tackle my lovely postie when I knew my DT goodies were on their way and there was lots of ooohs and aaahs when I opened the parcel...another gorgeous "Steph has done it again" collection...perfect for male cards but also suitable for girlfiends who are keen gardeners...I did warn you it was going to fly so I hope you were one of the lucky crafters who managed to get it before it sold out...

I had great fun making this "Sitting On The Fence" Wall Hanger which I have to say nearly didn't make it into the samples parcel...it would look great hanging in my utility room so I guess I'll just have to make another...

I created the fence from strips of chipboard...rounded the corners...painted...crackled and decorated with the front of a flower pot card...a topper and images cut from the papers and toppers...

I cut out the trowel and fork images from one of the patterned papers...made the flowers from the matching Candi and finished off with alphabet stickers and my favourite TH label letters...

 and one that didn't take so long to make...a quick easy but very cute "welly boot" card

I'll be back tomorrow to share some more makes

Hugs Kath xxx

Back On The Hamster Wheel...

Hi folks...I have a sneaky feeling that Summer may be over in my neck of the woods...in fact it's been so chilly that it feels like Winter is just around the corner...crazy crazy weather...the chance of us enjoying some of those glorious September Indian Summer days of old is looking pretty slim.
Crafting's not much fun when your hands are blue...your teeth are chattering and you'd much rather be snuggled up on the sofa with a furry companion wrapped up together in his big fleecy dog blanket onsie but the crafty list is calling so the central heating's back on and we're planning a beavering away snug and warm day in the cubbyhole. That's the royal "WE" you understand...I'll be the one racing around on the hamster wheel whilst the other member of the team keeps the radiator company and entertains me with his tuneful snoring and dreaming of chasing rabbit woofs...who needs a radio...

The "Christmas With Tim Holtz" projects for Kath's Klub on Saturday at The Papeterie are done and dusted and it's sneaky peek time...stencils/stamps and Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a dusting of Distress glitter...

Another job ticked off the crafty list and while Mr Mojo's still in residence and seems raring to go...it's time to get my Fiskars hat on and throw some ideas around for the workshop project at the NEC in November...crikey in 9 and a bit weeks I 'll be on my way to Birmingham and just in case there's a repeat of last year's snowy arctic weather...I'll be packing my Nanook Of The North jacket...ski-ing long johns...enough socks to stock M&S and seeing as my personal Furry Hot Water Bottle can't come along...the all important cosy jammies.

But if I don't get this project underway...I won't be going anywhere.

Enjoy the bank holiday weekend everyone...see you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

What A Week...

Hi folks...what a week it's been...the weather's been awful and I've found myself faffing around achieving not much of anything in the quest to make a dent in the crafty list....production levels more or less ground to a halt...with the best intentions in the world it was hard to concentrate when all I could hear in the background was the lampshade monster making mincemeat of my new paintwork and it was definitely a jumping for joy moment when the stitches came out yesterday and three cheers that the offending headgear has been banished to the back of the cupboard and the doors walls and the back of my legs are safe again.
And oh boy there was a real woohoo dancing on the ceiling with delight moment this week when a certain very special SOMEONE left me a lovely comment for this month's "12 Tags" tag...he's such a sweetheart-a wonderful ambassador for the craft industry..very generous sharing his time and inspiration and sure knows how to make a girl feel special.
The cubbyhole crew are looking forward to getting back to our normal routine...those gentle strolls around the block being overtaken by snails has left us feeling a bit stir crazy so this morning The Furry Boy will be kicking up his heels on a much needed burning off 2 weeks of stored up energy trip to the forest...he'll probably clock up around 4 or 5 miles charging hither and thither checking out all his favourite sniffy places...searching out his bunny playmates or in doggy speak...having the time of his life while it's a less energetic 2 mile...as the crow flies...bringing up the rear...walk for me.
My lovely Fiskars buddy Hina will be walking her socks off this weekend...travelling the country to climb the UK's 3 highest mountains...Ben Nevis...Scafell Pike and Snowdon in The Three Peaks Challenge...a warm-up for her Everest Adventure next year...I'll be with her in spirit...cheering her on from the comfort of the sofa...good luck matey...you can do it...best foot forward and fingers crossed the weather's kind
I'm treating myself to just ONE MORE faffing around day...a coffee and feet up couch potato day in fact...I'll be tuning in to Create and Craft for the launch of the gorgeous "Potting Shed" Collection from Craftwork Cards...I've reserved my seat on the sofa and I hope you'll be able to join me...wait until you see what my buddies on the Design Team have made...

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

In For A Penny...

Hi folks...they do say when you're in deep doo dah...it's best to come clean...an "in for a penny...in for a pound" confession of all outstanding misdemeanours so they can be taken into account before the jury declares it's verdict...will I be sent down or will the usual "I suffer from a terrible addiction" mitigating circumstances still wash.
I have to admit I have overstepped the mark on this occasion...there's been a definite blip in the "must-have" brain wiring...what on earth came over me...why did I feel I had to have this particular bundle of goodies right now...tout suite...immediately...

a Mask Storage Unit...when they're perfectly happy snuggled up in a box...

 a Pallet Art Shelf Kit when I'm running out of cubbyhole wall space...

 and not one but 2 Pallet Art Set Kits...

which all require putting together before they can be decorated. Now my friends will tell you that this will be a huge logistical challenge for this dopey old crafter who's well known for charging in like a bull in a china shop and only feels the need to consult the instructions when it all goes pear shaped and considering the top of the list items for decoration...the Idea-Ology Bits and Pieces Storage Units from the MDF Man at The NEC way back in March are still sitting nude and undecorated...

there's very little chance of the new boys coming out to play anytime soon...more than likely they'll be consigned to that box...you know the one...the "crikey I'd forgotten all about them" box. But am I suitably chastened...have I learnt my lesson...for the benefit of the judge and jury...that's "definitely M'Lord" but just between us...now that the slate's been wiped clean...probably not.
And I had to have a little giggle at some of your comments and e-mails about my current dilemma...I've been teasing you with my tongue in cheek humour...Old Mother Hubbard's cupboards aren't bare just yet and I'm not heading for the workhouse anytime soon but what's wrong with bread and water anyway...my new culinary addiction...sliced Tiger Bread from Aldi spread with lashing of home made strawberry jam...

proper "real" bread bringing back childhood memories of cycling off to the horses after school...steering with one hand and the biggest jammiest piece ever in the other...tasting a whole load better than the mass produced "mouth full of cotton wool" "crusts removed" rubbish of today.
And if you're still with me...today's the Furry Boy's big day...stitches removed and dreaded lampshade back into storage....yippee.

See you all tomorrow in "The Potting Shed"

Hugs Kath xxx

Craftwork Cards...Sneaky Peek Time...

Hi folks...you'll have to wait until tomorrow for the next instalment of "I've been a naughty shopper" because woohooo... permission has been granted for me to shout from the rooftops and share what I've been wittering on about for days. I can't tell you how excited I was to receive the brand new...

 "The Potting Shed" Collection 

from Craftwork Cards launching on Saturday over at Create and Craft...

I love love love this collection...once again Steph...the In House Designer at Craftwork Cards has worked her special magic...wait until you see the gorgeous papers...cute toppers and fabulous sentiments and to compliment the collection...there are shaped garden themed cards and cute little birdhouses...I wonder if those cute wellies come in my size. In the meantime I'm sharing sneaky peeks of some of my makes for the shows...

make sure you tune in on Saturday to join the lovely Julie Hickey who'll be sharing all the gorgeous makes from the Design Team and if you're tempted...get your order in quick...I have a sneaky feeling this is going to be a flyer.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx