Papertake Weekly Challenge

Morning folks....I have surprised even myself...here I am with my challenge card for Papertake Weekly....blimey none of that skidding in at the last minute this week......could this be a case of "start off the year as you mean to go on".....don't hold your breath....it may just be a little hiccup in my chaotic crafty world.
The challenge this week over at Papertake Weekly is...

NEW BEGINNINGS

and I don't know about you folks.....but any creative thoughts I have still involve snowflakes and snowmen....I suppose the covering of snow outside the window doesn't help either..so drastic measures are called for....look out the bright zingy spring colours and take it from there....and they don't come any zingier than this fabulous collection from WeRMemory Keepers....a huge 12 x 12 pad of gorgeous papers that just goes on and on and on.....

Papers..Rub-ons and Alphabets: WEMK....Nonsense Collection

Stickers: American Crafts....Giddy

Sentiment: American Crafts....Fabric Thickers

Ribbon: American Crafts

Well I've made a bit of a start in the plan to ditch Christmas but shock horror....there is still a slight hint....the house looks as though it is sitting in a field of......yes you've guessed it.....SNOW.
And this tickled my sense of humour this morning....the table on the patio which is my photographic studio when the weather is a little kinder.....I think it is well and truly out of commission for a while

and check out the icicles hanging from the shrivelled up clematis

and more snow on the way apparently.....think it's time to look out the cosiest of jammies...my hot water bottle and hibernate.

A big thank you to my lovely postie who....day after day....has been  trudging through deep snow to deliver the mail.....I know that Royal Mail get a lot of stick but the posties in our little town are just the best and regardless of the weather he always has a cheery smile and today I was the one smiling when he brought my parcel of Promarkers so I'm all set for my class on the 16th......just need to figure out a way to get there.....this snow ain't going anywhere anytime soon.

Catch up with you all later....Hugs Kath xxxxx

I love winter

Morning folks.....I know I could be in the minority here....but I love winter and being a skier I love snow....you must admit it is so beautiful when everything is hidden under a blanket of crisp white snow......the downside of it all comes when you need to travel anywhere by car and I do feel sorry for all the folks who will be struggling to get to work today.....and once again Britain is brought to a near standstill.......schools closed....the trains can't run.......the roads aren't being cleared and gritted.....we are running out of rock salt and having to buy in emergency gas supplies....what a farce.....what a pathetic nation we have become.......with a government that would rather give millions in aid to other countries and local councils who haven't got a clue.

and unlike my grumpy old hubby who has been out every day clearing the paths around the house...this would have been my path to the old cubbyhole

this fun fella loves the snow just as much as his Mum

playing at snow ploughs in the garden....just a pity his nose isn't bigger

and finally after a week of being virtually marooned...here comes  my knight in shining armour
with his big snow plough

and have I been rescued......not on your nelly.....he has now blocked our snow bound driveway with a three feet wall of snow and believe me.....hubby ain't a happy bunny.

The christmas tree and decorations are down and all stowed away for another year...and I am busy with my Funky Hand samples which I can't share yet.....but have managed to sneak in some little peeks.....

Need to make a trip to the shops sometime today.....milk is getting low and if it was downhill all the way....it would certainly be faster on skis....but it will be a slippery slidey trudge....2 steps forward and 1 back.....but in the meantime I am quite happy playing in the cubbyhole and making a dent in some of the choccie treats I got at Christmas.....oh it's a hard life.

Catch up with you all later

Hugs Kath xxxxx

Allsorts Challenge....Take 2

Hi folks....I am back with my card for the Allsorts Challenge.....this is Take 2.....yes I have read the instructions (over and over) and am confident that I have got it right this time.
The challenge has been set by my lovely and mega talented Funky Hand teamie Jules and sponsored this week by Funky Hand

NEW or OLD

(plus a sketch)
the idea being to use some of the crafting goodies you got for Christmas or some of your old stash

Just like Jules I didn't get any crafty goodies in my Christmas stocking.....I'm afraid my family haven't got a clue when it comes to crafty stuff.....Hero Arts....Penny Black.....Funky Hand.....means nothing to them....so normally I treat myself.....my Christmas present to me and this year I just had to have some gorgeous stamps from Hero Arts brand new 2010 catalogue....and this flower is so gorgeous that it would be lost on a patterned background so I just used up some itty bitty scraps left over from playing with Anice's fabulous "Dreams Come True" CD.

Papers: Funky Hand "Dreams Come True" CD

Image: Hero Arts Cling Stamp....Engraved Flower

Ribbon & Gems from stash

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards.....Oh My Word

finished off the flower with a spray of Gold Glimmer Mist

and then a dusting of Gold Glamour Dust

and what seemed a good idea at the time.....covered the centre of the flower with those pesky micro beads....blimey these little devils have a mind of their own......the minute they see daylight they make a dash for freedom and end up everywhere...even using my tidy tray.....now I know why I haven't used them for years.
And talking of Christmas treats....I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my lovely over-worked postie with a parcel of  Promarkers from Angel Crafts......I have booked myself in for a workshop at Simply Create on 16th January....my fabulous bloggy bud  Debz....the queen of the old PM's is demonstrating how to use these fabulous pens and I couldn't turn up with nothing to colour with.....could I.....it's now fully booked....so lucky I managed to get my bum on a seat and am really looking forward to it......knowing Debz it will be a real fun time......just hope that the weather improves before then.....heavy snowfall again last night and after clearing the driveway yesterday this was the scene when I got up this morning........forget the car....may have to think about getting a sled and a dog team......that would be fun wouldn't it.

Well the holiday is over folks.....and I need to get down to some serious work......may need to get the old whip out and the coffee pot brewing.....and find that lazy beggar Mr Mojo....where is he hiding?

Catch up with you all later

Hugs Kath xxxxx

Oops I did it again

Morning Folks....I can't believe it.....I did it again.....when I saw the challenge this week over at Allsorts....set by my lovely Funky Hand teamie Jules and sponsored by Funky Hand.....well I just had to play along.

I made a calendar easel card with the fabulous papers from Funky Hand's brand new CD......DREAMS COME TRUE....which will be launching on Create and Craft around the middle of  January.....can you tell that I am loving it.......and using some of my new stash....well not quite.... I bought Tim Holtz Grunge Paper way back in October at the SECC and would you believe have only now got round to using it.  When I made my DT card this week for Penny Black Saturday.....I had a little brainwave and it's not often that happens I can tell you....but I thought how easy it would be to replace the image with a calendar pad and and I will have this sitting on my desk for the next 362 days.....in fact for ever....if I replace the calendar pad with a new one for 2011.

And I had great fun making those gorgeous Grunge Paper flowers and leaves with one of my new Hero Arts stamp sets from their 2010 Catalogue....2010 could definitely be the year of Grunge flowers....and aren't these papers to die for......

Papers....Funky Hand Dreams Come True CD

Hero Arts....Big Flower Stamp Set

Tim Holtz Grunge Paper

Chipboard Numbers

Papermania Cardstock Stickers

Unfortunately it all went pear shaped when I went to enter my card for the challenge.....oh yes I hadn't read the instructions properly once again and had missed out the sketch bit.....blimey I think I need counselling.....how many times can I get it wrong.......my New Year Resolution should have definitely been "read things properly before you jump in with both feet".....so it's back to the drawing board to make another card for the Allsorts challenge.....reading the instructions carefully first and then get stuck into some more samples for the "Dreams Come True" launch on Create & Craft.
Let's hope that Jules doesn't see this because this is not the first time I have ignored one of her fab sketches.
Back to work this morning for lots of folks and no sign of this arctic weather letting up...I hope you have a safe journey wherever you are.

Catch up with you all later

Hugs Kath xxxxxx

Papertake Weekly Challenge....Sketch 31

Morning folks and I think it's just as well I didn't make any New Year Resolutions....such as getting my challenge cards done in plenty of time because once again here I am skidding in by the seat of my pants at the last minute.
The challenge this week over at Papertake Weekly is another fabby sketch from my lovely bloggy bud....Dawny P
Had to make a male birthday card......no hobbies as such.....so that ruled out Football....Golf etc....so I thought I would use the gorgeous papers that I got from my last Stampin Up order...and the "Lovely As a Tree" Stamp.... think you might be seeing rather a lot of this one in the coming months

Stampin Up.....Not Quite Navy & Kraft Cardstock

Papers: Stampin Up....Bella Bleu

Image: Stampin Up...Lovely As A Tree

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards....Circle Sentiments

Ribbon: Stampin Up Kraft Taffeta

Craftwork Cards.....Card Candy

The Christmas holidays are well and truly over .....all the Christmas stamps and papers have been tidied away for another year....the cubbyhole has been given a bit of spit and polish and it's time to have a play with all the lovely new stash that was set aside in the rush to get the Christmas cards finished.  And we are knee deep in snow...... not unusual for winter in this neck of the woods but....

unless my Knight in Shining Armour appears very soon with his snow plough to rescue me....blimey I may well be marooned in the cubbyhole forever....a perfect excuse to shut myself away and craft to my heart's delight.

Catch up with you all later

Hugs Kath

Woo....hooo....a Hogmanay Baby

Wonderful news.....AMANDA  (Scotspanda) has given birth to a beautiful bouncing boy.....ALFIE... born on 31st December at 1.44pm.....9lbs.10oz....(ouch)......a little brother for Lily......sending big hugs to all.

Kath xxxxx

Get Funky Challenge....January

Morning folks and a Happy New Year to you all...2010 and time for the first challenge of the year over at Get Funky...set by our lovely and mega talented teamie Lythan and you can make anything as long as it has......

SPOTS AND STRIPES

Papers & Digital Image from

Funky Hand CD....Dreams Come True
Papermania Cardstock Stickers
Decoart Glamour Dust

If you visit  my blog regularly you will have noticed that I am a big big fan of anything spotty or dotty and I have fallen in love with the papers from Anice's brand new CD..."Dreams Come True"...launching very soon...believe me folks you are going to love it too...it is all singing and dancing with lots of new features which make it so easy to use...includes gorgeous papers...word books and digital images and you need to pop over and check out all the gorgeous creations from the rest of the team.

All you have to do to enter this month's challenge is leave a comment over at Get Funky with a link to your entry and you have no excuse if you don't yet own any of Funky Hand's fabulous CD's....there are spots and stripes on the freebie download over at Funky Hand and if you are chosen as this month's lucky winner of the £20 gift voucher...Anice's brand new CD could be winging it's way to you within a few days...can't wait to see what you create this month...time to get your Funky Hand CD's and downloads out and get creative.

Catch up with you all later
Hugs Kath xxxxxx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge....Week 82

Morning folks and a Happy New Year to all you Penny Black addicts out there......can't quite believe that Christmas has come and gone and thank you to all those who took time out from their frantic Christmas preparations to join in the last challenge of 2009......I loved all your adorable Christmas Charms.
But it's a new year and time for the first challenge of 2010 over at Penny Black Saturday......

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Papers:  Funky Hand CD......Dreams Come True

(to be released very soon)

Penny Black Image...All Dressed Up

Flowers & Leaves: Hero Arts....Big Flowers

Tim Holtz...Grunge Paper

Papermania Cardstock Stickers

Chipboard Numbers

I have fallen in love with these easel cards.....they are so easy to make but not so easy to photograph......and His Nibs wanted me to make you all a Happy New Year card from us both......so what better image to use than one of my favourite Penny Black images......

so from "The Budster and Me"....here's wishing you all

A VERY HAPPY 2010

And we have another fabulous prize this week for one lucky winner

£10 Voucher from Valentines

Time for some Penny Black News.....our lovely teamie BETH is taking a bit of a break from the Design Team preparing for her forthcoming wedding.....I wish her lots of love and best wishes for the big day  and look forward to seeing those gorgeous wedding pics....and some sad sad news.....our lovely teamie MARCEA has decided to step down from the team due to work commitments......I am so going to miss her but a big thank you for your wonderful contribution to the team and for sharing your fabulous inspiration with us all and good luck with your university course.......and TRACIE will be missing in action for a few weeks...she is currently cruising in the Caribbean....lucky beggar....and no room in her suitcase for little old me....believe me I tried.

But we have some good news......we have a brand new Guest Designer for the month of January......the lovely and very talented JOEY......so hope you will pop over and give Joey a big Penny Black Saturday welcome....and can I let you into a little secret....you are going to be in for a real treat for the coming weeks.

I can't wait to see what you all create this week and will be popping over to pay you all a visit.....in the meantime happy crafting.

Will be back soon with my card for this month's challenge over at Get Funky.

Hugs Kath xxxxxx

1st January 2010

Morning folks.....it's the first day of a brand new year....hoping this will be a happy and healthy one for us all and what am I doing on this special holiday.....unlike a large portion of the population... thankfully not nursing a hangover.      I am sitting at the old 'puter watching the blizzard raging outside with "His Nibs" watching my every move......WHY.....just in case some crumbs from the delicious croissants I am eating fall his way....and I have just realised that gorgeous crispy and oh so flaky croissants from M&S and the keyboard don't go so well together.    Oh no.....life in bloggyland doesn't stop just because it's New Year's Day.....I am sitting trying to finish off my posts for tomorrow......yes the first challenges of the year from PENNY BLACK SATURDAY and GET FUNKY and I hope you will pop over and join in the fun.
Well need to crack on......finish uploading all the pics......write the bumph.....hoover the keyboard....and then get the dinner organised.....blimey a woman's work is never done.

Catch up with you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxxxx

A Guid New Year

Happy New Year Everyone

Wishing you all Health and Happiness in 2010

it's time to look back over the old year filled with special memories...

lots of laughter and fun...some sad times too

and hopefully learn from the mistakes I made along the way....

time to look forward to a new year and with it....the continued

love and support of the ones I love...here's to special friendships...good health and peace

and remembering I have lots to be thankful for.......

I raise my glass in a wee toast to you all....

 imagine the piper playing in the background

a roaring log fire and me snuggled up with a dram in my hand...

The Budster fast asleep and snoring....

and a blizzard a blowing outside......

......cue music

A guid new year to ane an' a'

An' mony may ye see

An' during a' the years to come

O happy may ye be

An'may ye ne'er hae cause to mourn

To sigh or shed a tear

To ane and' a' baith great an' sma'

A hearty Guid New Year

This is a traditional Scottish song sung to welcome in the New Year traditionally after the bells......"Auld Lang Syne" is the one sung before the stroke of midnight....now you've learnt something today.....who says this blog isn't educational.

A big thank you to all my lovely bloggy buddies and teamies for your love and friendship throughout the year and to all those who have visited my blog over the past year....I love reading all your comments and look forward to having your company in 2010.
Well just finishing off my drink and then off to bed .....tomorrow is another day of feasting.....oh yes New Year's Dinner in our house is just as big a deal as Christmas Dinner....so the waistline isn't going to go down any time soon.

Lots of Love from Kath & Buddy

xxxxxx