Pink Elephant Challenge # 53

Hi Everyone.....blimey what time is this to be starting the day.....looks like I've missed breakfast and it will soon be lunchtime...the reason I am so late in posting.....well we have had a bit of a duvet morning.....stayed up late last night to catch the fabulous Martha Stewart TSV on QVC......and before you ask...yes I did give in to temptation....well it was such a great bargain and you know us girls can't resist a bargain.....4 punches for that price...and then when I finally hit the sack.....couldn't drop off to sleep.....so it's going to be a bleary eyed..bit of a blur day.
I actually managed a challenge card yesterday in between all the sanding and decorating stuff and it has been an absolute age since I joined in the challenges over at Pink Elephant which this week is

MUSHY GUSHY VALENTINE

Background created with TH Distress Inks

Aged Mahogany and Brushed Corduroy

Hero Arts: H3317 Large Delicate Woven Fabric

K5153 Heart Flourish

Sentiment: Hero Arts...CL278 Great Flourish

Hearts: Hero Arts....CL161 Fill Your Heart

Flowers: Prima

Ribbon American Crafts

Pearls from stash

Doodlebug All Mixed Up Alphabet Rub-ons

And Birthday Wishes are the order of the day......Pink Elephant are celebrating their 1st Birthday......with a fabulous Happy Birthday Ella Blog Hop.....so pop on over and join in the fun.
Off to try and catch up with myself.....don't you just hate when you are having a "can't get out of the bit" kinda day....and that's what I get for having a lazy snoozy morning....although it was lovely jubbly at the time.   Now I do believe that "His Nibs" will be popping on tomorrow with the first of his give-aways and if I manage to get the old engine started....perhaps a sneaky peek......and I may have some very...very exciting news to share with you all in the next few days....see you all later.

Hugs Kath xxxxxx

Can't A Fella Get Any Peace

Morning folks...it's your gorgeous bundle of golden deliciousness and I ain't a happy boy...I'm living in a mad frenzy of DIY mayhem...fed up to the back teeth with it all...need ear muffs for the racket the sander makes...a mask for my nose and mouth to stop me choking on all that dust but have I been issued with all this safety gear...not on your nelly...where are Health & Safety when you need them...us dogs have rights too and then it will just get worse...it will be time for the painting and you know what that means...I'll be covered in specks again...blimey have only got rid of the last lot...to be honest I think that this decorating malarkey is very over-rated.
Mum is a tad busy and getting a bit grumpy with it so she won't be showing any craft stuff today. I thought I would have a rummage through some pics of the samples she has been making...I may be in big trouble here but what's the worst that can happen...I get told how naughty I am...what's new...so here we go with some little peeks...

And it seems I am being left behind on Saturday...home alone again with my Dad...well at least it will be peaceful...Dad doesn't do sanding or any of that decorating malarkey so it's me snoozing and Dad watching TV...my kinda guy but it would have been great fun to go and meet all the lovely girls in Elgin...I would have been on my bestest behaviour.
Apparently Mum has her eye on loads of new Hero Arts and Penny Blacks so I think it's time for another clear out...the stamp stash this time...keep your eyes peeled girls for the next instalment of "BUDDY'S LITTLE GIVE-AWAYS".  And what do you know...I hear that blinking sander being plugged in again so I am off to find a quiet place and catch up on a bit of shut eye...I feel a power snooze coming on...see you all later.

BIG HUGS
BUDDY
 xxx

Allsorts Challenge....Week 38

Morning folks...just a quickie card today.......I am chasing my tail somewhat this week but when I saw the challenge this week over at Allsorts well how could I not take part.......right up my street

GET DISTRESSED WITH BUTTON/S AND A BOW

and as you know I love to get in distressing mode

all inky and dirty with my hero...the king of distressing....TH

but it doesn't have to be all dark and grungy

Background inked with Hero Arts Shadow Ink....Blossom

(I love this ink pad...can you tell)

Image: Hero Arts..."Thinking of You"

Sentiment: Penny Black "Critter Party"

Ribbon: Stampin Up

Buttons: Hero Arts

Nestabilities.....Labels

DANCING ON ICE!!! what can I say...Hayley and Dan the Man...WOW..WOW..WOW..she looks gorgeous and well he is just sex on skates......love it...love it....love it......but it's Monday morning and I need to push all these naughty thoughts from my mind.....off for our morning stroll and when we come back......I will be donning my working togs and getting down and real dirty with a sanding machine.....oh the dust....believe me no-one will be running their fingers through my hair today.....and it doesn't matter how much you cover everything....that pesky dust gets everywhere.
But before I get all grungy with the sander I need your help folks.....I have had lots of e-mails about the pin I used on my Penny Black Saturday card this week....asking where you can buy the end caps......I don't know as I was lucky enough to get loads of these gorgeous pins from a friend....so if anyone can help...I will post the information later.

Catch up with you all later.

Hugs Kath xxxxx

Edited to add: how quick was that....the lovely Brenda has come to the rescue....all the bits and pieces for the pins including the end caps can be purchased from Spellbound Beads.....thanks Brenda...you're a star.

Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Morning folks and it's time for February's monthly birthstone challenge over at
Daring Cardmakers....and this month is......

AMETHYST

and before we go any further.......big apologies for the crappy photo
it's so dark and dismal here and I had to resort to drastic measures under the halogen lights in the kitchen and beware it's very very AMETHYST
Edited to add: managed to get a slightly better pic

Papers: Purple from my stash

page from an old book over stamped with Hero Arts "Thinking of You" image

with Versamark Ink and heat Embossed with Snow White embossing powder

coloured with Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Milled Lavender & Dusty Concord

Nestabilities Frames

Sentiment: Hero Arts "Thinking of You"

Flowers......Prima

one covered with paper and inked

and there is a fab prize up for grabs this week from
Craft Obsessions

I've been given this award by the lovely Jacqui at my local craft store....Simply Create....how did I ever manage to function before Jacqui opened her little heaven of all things crafty and a big thank you for thinking of me....I really appreciate it.

Now this award is a bit like the old gal herself.....been round the block a few times and I'm sure that all of the folks that inspire me have already had it several times....so I am chickening out on passing it on and to be honest there are far too many folks to mention......and as for the interesting facts.....well not a lot interesting about little old me that you don't already know.....I know I have my party pooper hat on today and if you saw me...you would probably say....my grumpy face too.

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

Penny Black Saturday....Week 87

Morning folks....another fabulous response to last week's challenge and beautiful cards from you all....being a bit of Penny Black addict....I love paying you all a visit and seeing what you do with these gorgeous stamps....and you never disappoint....such a talented crew.
And the challenge this week over at Penny Black Saturday is.......

PINS AND PEARLS

Papers: MME Life Stories

Image: Penny Black..Tiny Wishes Clear Stamp Set

Martha Stewart Border Punch

Flowers...lace...pearls and pin from stash

I have to admit that I struggled big time with this one....knew the look I wanted to achieve but couldn't quite pull it off and to make matters worse couldn't seem to get a decent pic either....well that's life folks....even us old seasoned crafters have days when everything goes to pot.....so if you are newly starting out at this game....take heart.

And we have a new guest designer this month....the lovely and very talented Janneke....so pop on over to Penny Black Saturday and give her a great big Penny Black welcome.

And another fabulous prize up for grabs this week kindly donated by the lovely 

Clair & Sharni at Valentines

Penny Black "Robust" Alphabet

The snow has disappeared and been replaced by rain....well that's an understatement...it's chucking it down....only weather that our webbed feet friends would love....it's dark and dismal so a day in the cubbyhole sounds good....let's hope that Mr Mojo is rested and ready for work......so it's time to get the kettle on and get crafting.   Can't wait to see what you all create with your pins and pearls and will be taking a break to pop over and visit.

Happy Crafting.....hugs Kath xxxx

Frantic Flipping Friday

Morning folks.....yes it's frantic flipping Friday.....I have checked and it's not the 13th.... as you can probably tell all is not well in the cubbyhole or anywhere else in the house for that matter....plasterer arrived yesterday to make a start on smoothing out the walls of my bedroom ready for a  make-over.....he started off with the big walk-in wardrobes and of course all my clothes had to come out and are currently hanging on rails....strewn across furniture and hiding out in cardboard boxes.....there is hardly room to get into bed......but once the wardrobes are dry I can get them painted...get rails and shelves back up and everything stashed away again before he comes back to do the actual bedroom and en suite....oh I can hardly wait.... mess everywhere....and the big dilemma.....the bed will have to come out....so where are "The Budster" and I going to sleep......it may come down to sharing a sleeping bag on the cubbyhole floor perhaps......oh boy that will be interesting.  Then I will be donning my painter and decorator hat again to give my boudoir a brand new look....but me thinks this is going to be a bit of a saga so prepare yourselves for some grumpy rant days.
But a more pressing problem....one of the lenses in my specs has gone AWOL....did wonder why the old eyesight was a bit suspect this morning.....and where could it be......well your guess is as good as mine and how am I supposed to see the blighter without my specs......it may involve a hands and knees.....fingertip search of the whole house......can it get any worse.   Oh yes......there is the small matter of the cubbyhole drama... cracking on  with the samples for next Saturday's demo when suddenly yesterday I hit the big crafty mojo missing wall.....no point in getting hot under the collar....so I am having a "no crafty" day and hope by tomorrow the inspiration is back and working at full steam ahead.....in the meantime here is a little sneaky peek.

And if you just happen to be sitting comfortably on your sofa with a cuppa tomorrow around 11.00am......switch the telly on and tune in to Create & Craft.....Sky 671....Freeview 36 to watch Anice from Funky Hand strutting her stuff with her fabulous brand new CD..."Dreams Come True".
Catch up with you all tomorrow for another fab challenge over at Penny Black Saturday and a great prize....well that is if I find my lens.....otherwise goodness knows what the post will look like,

Hugs Kath xxxx

Papertake Weekly Challenge

Morning folks.....managed to sneak in another challenge card in amongst the piles of samples.  The challenge this week from Papertake Weekly is......

LOVE ACTUALLY

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder coloured with Hero Arts
Shadow Inks.....Soft Sand & Soft Stone
White Grosgrain ribbon coloured with Soft Stone
Hero Arts: CL375...Big Flower
Sentiment: Hero Arts: CL161...Fill Your Heart
Flowers: Petaloo

Blimey what a palaver getting a half decent pic....although the weather is bright and sunny.....I fear it may be that old colour blue again....but I am trying to steer myself away from the pink and brown syndrome that I seem to be suffering from but was it worth it.

I must admit I have been having a good old giggle to myself this morning....opened my mailbox to find an e-mail from Liz Earle.....well not the lady herself but someone from her company....to ask if I would be interested in applying for a Customer Advisor job in their franchise at the John Lewis store in Aberdeen.  You may not know but I am a big fan of all Liz Earle's fab products and have been using them for years but sadly no amount of fabulous creams can keep the signs of ageing at bay indefinitely and I hardly think that this wrinkly old bod would be a very good advertisement for your products Liz....so thanks but no thanks.

Well it's time this wrinkly old crafter got on with some crafting.....catch up with you all tomorrow for sneaky peek Friday.

Hugs Kath xxxxx

Carol's Sketch Fun #19

Morning folks.....time for another challenge card....managing to sneak the odd one in here and there......the challenge over at Carol's Sketch Fun is another fab sketch from my lovely friend and the minute I saw it....I knew what I wanted to do and have to decided to use a similar version of this  as one of my demo samples.

Hero Arts: S48478 Old Letter Writing

CL150...Thinking of You

Fiskars Squeeze Heart Punches

Martha Stewart Border Punch

Self Adhesive Pearls from stash

Kraft Paper and Ribbon from Stampin Up

You know how I adore my Hero Art stamps but lots of folks have said to me when they see them hanging on the wall of their local craft shop.....they don't have a clue what to do with them...so this is one of the stamp sets I will be demo-ing......just goes to show it's not just for sentiments.

And I wish the weather would make up it's mind...beautiful sunny day yesterday...and it was looking as though we were in for a thaw

and even when the ground is covered in snow....Mother Nature is still hard at work.....won't be long until these beauties are flowering their heads off

but oh no.....heavy snowfall again last night....so it's back to square one and time to get wrapped up snuggly warm and set off on our morning stroll and a game of catching snowballs.....me doing the throwing and "His Nibs" doing the chasing catching bit.....what are we going to do when the snow disappears.......and for all those of you who thought the cubbyhole was fairly tidy compared to your crafty space.....I didn't show you the floor.......catch up with you all later.

Hugs Kath xxxx

Allsorts Challenge...Week 37

Morning folks.....oops had a bit of a lie-in this morning.....been burning the midnight oil ever so slightly and the weather.....well we are still snowed under here....so where better to spend a snowy morning but snuggled up under the duvet with "The Champion Snorer" asleep on my feet....and it's been great being stuck in my nice cosy cubbyhole over the last few days watching the blizzards outside and even my normally hyper-active bundle of golden deliciousness is quite happy to be snoozing the day away instead of trudging through snow......so it's meant I've got lots of crafty stuff down.....and had some time to have a little play too.
The challenge this week over at ALLSORTS is a sketch......oh dear me.....think I managed to get it right this week.....but you know my track record with the old sketches and I seem to be developing another problem....can't drag myself away from this pink and brown colour combo either.

Background

Hero Arts CG107..Floral Garden

S4878..Old Letter Writing

Image: Hero Arts CL322....Artistic Borders

Sentiment: Hero Arts CL151....Share Laughter

Ribbon: American Crafts

finished with off with a dusting of Glamour Dust

and this was the chaotic scene that met me when I walked into the cubbyhole this morning......

too tired last night to tidy anything away.....so it's mega "file everything away" time before I can start on the next project......don't you just wish the "Tidy Fairy" would come visit and work her magic while we are all asleep.   A girl can dream can't she....but no amount of huffing and puffing......crafty tantrums or bad wordies under my breath will get it done....so here goes......catch up with you all later.

Hugs Kath xxxxx.

Get Funky Challenge

Morning folks....it's Monday morning....the beginning of a new week and can you believe.... a new month.....FEBRUARY already....the month of  LOVE....crikey where did January disappear to...is this going to be another year that flies by.....and it's time for another fabby challenge from the gang over at.... GET FUNKY...and the challenge this month from our lovely leader Anice......continues with that love theme.......

I LOVE CRAFTING

Papers from Funky Hand "Dreams Come True" CD
Alphabets: Papermania Cardstock Stickers
Gems..button and twine from stash
Flower made with Fiskars Squeeze Heart punches

All you need to do to enter is leave a comment over at Get Funky with a link to your creation so we can come visit you and the prize for one lucky winner will be a £20 voucher to spend online at FUNKY HAND so it's time to get those crafty fingers working on your Funky Hand papers....will be popping over to visit and see all your beautiful creations.   And if you need some inspiration....check out the LOVE that my fabulous teamies are sharing with us all this month over at GET FUNKY.
Heavy snowfall overnight....off to get togged up in my Michelin Man gear...it's time for the morning stroll with my bundle of golden deliciousness.... then home for a warming cup of hot chocolate and a day of craftiness in the toasty warm cubbyhole.

Hugs Kath xxxxx