Who knew...

Hi folks...who knew...well you may have but I certainly didn't...that life becomes much more challenging when you have a thumb that's not working...I'm just glad that I have the other one to fall back on because if they were both out of action...life as we know it would be impossible. Fingers on their own just don't cut the mustard...I'd never really given it much thought but every little daily task is only possible when your thumb and fingers are working in unison. Zipping up your jeans...doing up a button...opening a bottle...cutting with scissors...threading a needle...lifting a pencil...writing...the list is endless...in fact I've yet to find anything you can do without the use of your thumb so I now have total respect for that very necessary chubby digit we all take for granted.
The "took much longer than normal" magazine commission is done...the simple task of cutting a piece of card became a major operation...try holding it steady between only the fingers of one hand and cutting with the other...to be honest I'm lucky to still have all digits intact...

 now it's time to tidy up the debris...

and then sit back...relax and wait for 2016

Hugs Kath xxx

Two breaks for the price of one...

Hi folks...just when I was thinking of getting back to work after a relaxing Christmas break...fate decided to treat me to two breaks for the price one. I put my hand out to stop the "caught by a gust of wind" garage door squashing The Furry Boy and my poor old thumb took the brunt of the force. Yesterday's visit to Accident & Emergency confirmed my suspicions that it was broken but it's not all bad news...it's a clean break...the bones are not displaced...I'm not left handed so it's more of a "life will be a bit inconvenient for a while" situation than a disaster but it's a reminder of how we take things for granted when they're in working order...

I've had strict instructions to rest which means I'll be delegating the household chores but there was no mention of an embargo on crafting so the one-handed crafter will be soldiering on albeit at a slower pace...I'm sure one hand is sufficient for die-cutting...stamping or playing around with Distress Markers but I may be facing a bit of a challenge when it comes to pulling up my big girl knickers.

Catch up with you all soon

Hugs Kath xxx

Too Much Of A Good Thing...

Hi Everyone...the Christmas celebrations are behind us...I hope you all managed to survive "the big day"...I have no idea what day of the week it is but I do know in a few day's time we'll be heading for a brand new year...yes...it's crazy to think it will soon be 2016 and that age old question rears it's head again WHERE DOES TIME GO. But it's time to head back to the cubbyhole before I get used to this "too much of a good thing" couch potato lifestyle...oh yes I've fallen prey to the temptation of cosy "feet up" afternoons watching telly trying my best to make a dent in the "why did I buy so many mince pies" mountain...

time to update the 2016 calendar and diary...

and book my flight for Hobbycraft at The NEC in March...scary to think the Fiskars Workshops are only 11 weeks away...time to get my thinking up a project cap on...

the plan for today was to make a start on a "Bird Crazy" early January deadline magazine commission...

But there's a problem or two..The Furry Boy and Mr Mojo are NOT quite ready to return from their Christmas break...

and I've been in the wars...my poor thumb was assaulted and battered by the garage door so it looks like I'll be back in telly and mince pie land for the next few days.

Hugs Kath xxx

Merry Christmas Everyone...

Hi folks...it's Christmas Eve and only one more sleep until the man in the red suit pops down the chimney. I'm planning a chilling out feet up on the sofa in my jammies day with the Furry Hooligan who seems to be suffering from droopy antler syndrome...

yeah...we can all relate to that feeling...

And before the eat drink and be merry festivities kick off...we would like to wish you all a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Thank you for the beautiful cards and good wishes...for all your love and support throughout 2015 and for taking the time to visit here and leave comments...we love to hear from you. Wishing you all a wonderful happy and fun festive season with those you love.

Lots Of Love & Christmas Hugs 

from Kath & Buddy xxx

It's a wrap...

Hi Folks...as they say in showbiz circles "It's A Wrap"...the Christmas preparations are done apart from the major "kitchen chaos" washing up session and here's a first...a day ahead of schedule...

and I couldn't have done it without my faithful furry partner who's been there every step of the way, helping out with the tasting and licking the kitchen floor clean goodness knows how many times...a real "taking one for the team" Christmas trouper...

but hey if you're not quite there yet...don't beat yourselves up...it's took me 40 years plus of running around on Christmas Eve like a headless chicken before I managed to perfect the technique.

But as I loaded my fridge with festive food and settled down for a celebratory cuppa next to the Christmas tree with it's carpet of parcels...I was overcome with an overwhelming of sadness for the thousands of refugees displaced from their homes, cold hungry and struggling to survive. It's breaks my heart that the true meaning of Christmas...peace on earth and goodwill to all men...has been long forgotten and as I write this...I'm in tears at the thought of the innocent children who won't be getting a visit from Santa this year.

Hugs Kath xxxx

"12 Tags" - two for the price of one...

Hi folks....it's hard to believe we've arrived at the December tag on our "12 Tags of 2015" journey...it's been so much fun taking part and I truly hope it's a tradition that our much loved Professor will continue into 2016.

and because I wasn't too happy with the first Tatty Boxwood Twine Christmas Tree on the right...I had another go with a Candied Apple Burlap Tattered Poinsettia version..two for the price of one

But hey it's time to close the cubbyhole for the holidays and head to the kitchen for the biggest cook-a-thon of the year.

Hugs Kath xxx

InLinkz.com

Festive Holiday Ideas...

Hi folks...for gorgeous and inspirational festive holiday ideas...pop over to the Tim Holtz Blog and how chuffed am I that Tim chose to include my collage ornaments...

see you all tomorrow with...not one but two tags

Hugs Kath xxx

The last tag of 2015 or maybe not...

Hi folks...the last tag of 2015 is turning out to be a little bit troublesome...the problem is I have too much time on my hands and that means there's been lots of sitting around drinking coffee instead of concentrating on yet another adapt and overcome adventure. I don't have any of Tim's punches so the idea was to use Idea-ology Boxwood Twine BUT the first attempt is not floating my boat...

so I'm putting my thinking cap on and heading back the drawing board. 

Hugs Kath xxx

I'm making a list...

Hi folks...I'm making a list and checking it twice...now that the cards presents and decking the halls are ticked off the list...it's time to start thinking of the Christmas feast...most of which falls into the "running around like a headless chicken" all of next week and right up to Christmas Eve category but there are certain things that can be made in advance. So yesterday I hit the kitchen with my chopping hat on to make a huge pot of Scotch Broth...

enough for Christmas Day...Boxing Day and New Year's Day with some left over for a chilly wintery day lunch...

all ready to be tucked up in the freezer...

sadly the bauble project has come to a halt...no way do I have enough to complete the wreath I was intent on making and as the bargain basement packs have not surprisingly now sold out...it's back to the drawing board...

 in the meantime I'm on a mission to get creative with this month's tag for "12 Tags of 2015"

and then head on over to the Ranger-Organize Your Products Page and print the labels for the Candied Apple goodies...

Hugs Kath xxx

Christmas Wonderland...

Hi folks...this was the scene I woke up to yesterday morning...hardly the "severe weather warning" 4 inches of snow predicted by the big girls' blouses at the Met Office...

and a little flittering of snow was not going to stop me making the trip to my favourite Christmas shopping destination...Raemoir Garden Centre in Banchory...

the minute I stepped through the door I was transported to a real winter wonderland of polar bears and penquins...

wolves and fluffy cute owls...

with a beautiful gold and silver tree...

and a sign that definitely has my name on it...

imagine this cute guy welcoming your Christmas guests with a glass of brandy from his barrel...

and of course Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Santa...

and copper seems to be the new "hot" Christmas colour...

not sure I buy into the silver and black look...

but before you know it's time to hit the coffee shop for a warming latte and a delicious Cinnamon Fruit Scone...

and ponder on whether this is going to be this year's Christmas Party Outfit...

only kidding...I've seen the day but now it's definitely night.

I'll finish by sharing my bargain purchase of the day....40 Sparkly Glittery Silver Baubles for £2.50...perfect for another Christmas decoration idea...watch this space.

Hugs Kath xxx