It's A "Happy Mail" Hogmanay...

Hi folks...it's the last day of 2016 or Hogmanay as we call it in my neck of the woods...time to say goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new...the old tradition of first-footing neighbours and friends has all but died out so I'll be toasting the new year with a dram on the stroke of midnight and heading off to bed as soon after as is deemed polite.
I won't be spending today taking part in the other age old tradition of cleaning the house from top to bottom either...domestic goddess I am not...dust is dust whether it's from 2016 or 2017. The cubbyhole crew have far more important things on their minds...our crafty space is overdue for a bit of a clear out again...gotta make room for the new crafty bits and pieces from "happy mail" parcels...the ones that got blown a little bit off course in the mania of the Christmas mail...didn't make it into Santa's sack and found themselves spending the festive season in the mail centre commonly known as the National Hub.

December's DT parcel of yumminess from Simon Says Stamp...

and since I dipped my toes back into the world of sewing to make lots of samples for Fiskars for the Stitches Trade Show in February which hopefully I can share with you soon...it's rekindled my love of all things stitching from years gone by and I can't tell you how excited I was to receive this parcel of Eclectic Elements fabric fabulousness from my favourite Christmas Elves...Tim and Mario...a huge thank you again guys from the bottom of my heart for your kind hearts and amazing generosity...

and I can't wait to get the sewing machine fired up

BUT...A VERY VERY SPECIAL

 "exciting adventure" PARCEL is on it's way

so I need to get a wiggle on with January's DT projects and clear the decks ready for some inky fun. Have fun tonight whether you're out and about painting the town red or just having a quiet night with family and friends and I'll see you all in 2017

Hugs Kath xxx

My Favourites of 2016 - Part 2...

Hi folks...here we go with the second half of my 2016 favourites...

JULY

Red White and Blue

Flora and Fauna

AUGUST 

time for a fabulous

Creative Chemistry 103

adventure with our adorable professor

It's Been A Blast

Try To Contain Yourself

and I couldn't resist sneaking in my "Creative Chemisty 103 homework" album

a reminder of a wonderful 

Summer Of Fun

SEPTEMBER

the month when "CRAZY"

took over the cubbyhole

At The Movies

Inspired By Music

Hubble Bubble Toil and Trouble

OCTOBER

Spooky

Explore The World

NOVEMBER

Shine Bright Like A Diamond

Trio-tastic

DECEMBER

Let There Be Snow

and my December Tag 

for a fun and inspirational year of

"12 Tags of 2016"

phew...all this sharing "down memory lane stuff" is a bit tiring...time for a cuppa and perhaps just ONE of those Christmas Sweets...who am I kidding...looks like I've fallen off the wagon before I've even got on.

See you all later

Hugs Kath xxx

My Favourites of 2016...Part 1...

Hi folks...I wasn't sure that I was going to carry on the annual tradition of sharing cards and projects from throughout the year but hey I'm on a mission to take my mind off  the remaining tasty titbits in the fridge and that sweetie mountain so I've been trawling through the archives to share my favourite makes from 2016...

JANUARY

"12 Tags of 2016" January

Funky Notecards

FEBRUARY
I love to make art...it's what I do

Wall Hanger made from Fiskars packaging

MARCH
Lucky Lucky Me

Try To Resist

APRIL
Butterfly Beauty

Show Us Your Metal

MAY
Home Decor with Prima

Felt That

JUNE 
Spring Flowers

Spring Flowers 2

Use Patterned Papers

Well...don't know about you but I think halfway through the year seems to be as good a time as any to have a break but I'll be back soon to share the second half of 2016.

Hugs Kath xxx

A New Challenge...

Hi everyone...I hope you all had a lovely Christmas with your family and friends and that Santa managed to climb down your chimney and leave you something special under the tree...

the weather on Christmas Day was weird...a mild and balmy 15 degrees...you don't expect to be sitting on the back door step drinking coffee while the oven works it's magic on the roasties and then albeit a little bit late for a White Christmas...the Furry Boy and his Mum were getting suited and booted for our Boxing Day "walking in a winter wonderland" morning stroll...

But 2 days of feasting have taken their toll...I'm suffering from that old familiar beached whale syndrome and really should be heading back to the cubbyhole for a bit of a crafty workout...away from the temptation of the sweetie mountain...

so far I've managed to resist but we all know it won't be long before I'm overcome by that "go on...just have one" feeling and my fate will be sealed. And if I don't want the "already bursting at the seams" midriff bulge to grow any bigger...I need to squirrel them away in a safe "out of sight...out of mind" place...the challenge is remembering where that safe place is...you know the one I mean...the very same place where things mysteriously disappear never to be seen again.

Wish me luck

Hugs Kath xxx

Merry Christmas Everyone...

Hi folks...woohoo it's Christmas Eve...just one more sleep before the festivities kick off. Thankfully I made it through the picking up last minute bits and pieces expedition to my local M&S yesterday but only just...it was MANIC...the world and his wife turned out in force and by the look of their trolleys they are either feeding the five thousand or haven't cottoned on to the fact that the shops are only closed for 2 days and don't get me started on the selfish inconsiderate parking. But if I've forgotten anything...I ain't planning on a return visit...instead I'm looking forward to a chill out in my jammies day snuggled up with my "with me every step of the way" Furry Wingman...he's been on the guarding the oven door/licking the floor clean/ taste testing kitchen shift for the last week and he will definitely be getting his share of the turkey tomorrow. We'll probably be climbing the wooden hill to Bedfordshire early tonight and just like everyone else on the planet...excitedly waiting for Santa to arrive....

 So we would like to wish you all a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and a big thank you to all my lovely teamies and crafty friends for the beautiful cards and good wishes and to all the lovely folks who have popped by my blog this year and left comments...we truly appreciate you taking the time to visit. We hope you all have a wonderful happy and fun festive celebration with those you love and that all your Christmas dreams come true.

If you're out and about over Christmas...take care and travel safe...it's forecast to be stormy out there and poor Santa may be in for a bumpy ride tonight.

Lots Of Love & Christmas Hugs 

From Kath & Buddy

xxx

Santa Buddy...

Hi Everyone...a very good morning from Santa Buddy...your favourite bundle of golden deliciousness is full of Christmas Cheer and getting excited...only 2 more sleeps until that jolly fat man in the red suit comes to call...I've been very good this year so paws crossed he got my letter and is loading up the sleigh with all the goodies on my list.

It's been a bit hectic here what with the card sending...parcel wrapping and all that festive decorating and of course not forgetting the best bit...the Christmas Cook Fest when I take up   residence in the kitchen to guard the oven and treat my super sensitive nose to the delights of all those glorious smells and await the great big Christmas tasting session...oh yes the cook and this gastronomic connoisseur needed to sample everything just to make sure it's fit for the Christmas Table.

But I hear that some of my bloggy buddies are getting their tinsel in a bit of a tangle...running around like headless chickens and getting themselves in a right old state...well take some advice from one who knows...Christmas will come and go whether you're ready or not so CHILL...it's only a fancy "bigger than normal" Sunday lunch after all...who's gonna care if your roasties are a bit overdone or your sprouts are more al dente than is good for your teeth...just fill up their glasses with some Christmas Cheer and if they are anything like the diners at our Christmas table...all plates will be scraped clean and tummies will be full to bursting...if not I'm happy to step in and mop up any left overs.

Merry Christmas Everyone 

BIG CHRISTMAS HUGS

BUDDY xxx

You might also like:

Don't Get Your Tinsel In A Tangle...

Hi folks...the cubbyhole is closed and the Furry Boy and his Mum have set up camp in the kitchen for the foreseeable future. I may be shooting myself in the foot here but I seem to be on track with the prep for the big day. The Christmas Cake has finally got it's frosty overcoat...

with the addition of a little "a la Tim Holtz/raid the Idea-ology stash" Woodland Tree...Dancing Deer and Letterpress...decoration...

The turkey crowns have been cooked to golden perfection...

and will be sliced today...bathed in gravy and heading for the freezer.
In the meantime...a stocking-up on essentials box of goodies has arrived from Simon Says Stamp...

including the "will spend it wisely" purchase with my "12 Tags" winner prize from Tim & Mario...thanks once again guys for your kind hearts and generosity so while the roast beef is sizzling in the oven...I'm looking forward to a coffee/mince pie/Michael Buble afternoon swopping over and labelling my new Distress Paint Flip Tops.

And remember Christmas Day will be here and gone before we know...so just go with the flow...don't get your tinsel in a tangle...it'll be alright on the night...she says confidently with fingers crossed. 

Hugs Kath xxx

Party Time...

Hi Everyone...welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog...thank you for joining us for last week's "Let It Snow" challenge...we hope you can join us this week too because...

and the theme for this week is...

PARTY TIME
the challenge will run for 2 weeks so you have plenty time to join in the fun...

I created an art journal page featuring this motley crew....who better to party with than a bunch of Crazy Dogs and if the expression on their faces is anything to go by...it was some party...

I stamped the images on to Simon Says Stamp masking paper which comes in a pack of 20 A4 sheets and used the matching dies to cut them out...

I stamped the two dogs in the centre with Black Archival ink...masked them off and stamped the dogs either side...

I then masked off all the dogs and coloured the background with Chipped Sapphire Distress Paint using a damp baby wipe and carefully removed the masks before the paint dried...

I applied Texture Paste through the Stars Mini Layering Stencil and created splatters with Picket Fence Distress Paint...

added Merriment Design Tape and stamped the image from Holiday Drawings with Versamark Ink and heat embossed with Ranger Super Fine Detail White Embossing Powder.

I coloured the dogs with Distress Markers using Ranger's Detailer Water Brush and stamped the hats... bow ties and balloons from the Crazy Things Stamp set on to Ranger Watercolor Card using Black Archival Ink...coloured and die cut with the matching dies...fixed in place with Ranger Multi Medium Matte and applied Glossy Accents to the eyes...noses and balloons.

I used Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements Thread to create the string for the balloons...

and Tim Holtz/Sizzix Alphanumeric Dies for the wording.

You can find all the products I used over at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp online store...just click on the links below...

Why don't you pop over to the Monday Challenge Blog and check out the amazing creations from my very talented Design Team mates and as always you all have the chance to win a $50 gift voucher to spend at Simon Says Stamp. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time...1pm UK time...2 pm CET to join in...

You can also follow Simon Says Stamp on Instagram

and if you use Instagram...

please add #sssmchallenge to your entry uploads so we can see them on there too

I look forward to seeing what you create this week...

and would like to wish you all a very 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND BEST WISHES FOR 2017

Have Fun and Happy Crafting

Hugs Kath xxx

InLinkz.com