Daring Cardmakers Challenge

Morning folks and hey can't believe it's Monday already...after a long weekend of fun....trauma and partying...it's back to work and a bizzzzeeee week ahead.    I didn't think I would have any time to play along at any challenges this week but had a quick personal card to make and I think it rather fits the bill for one of my favourite challenges.
As it's the beginning of another month it's time for the August Birthstone Challenge over at Daring Cardmakers and joining the lovely girls at DCM this month as Guest Designer is...the one and only Julia the lady who has taken the bloggy world by storm with her fabulous WOYWW....pop over on Wednesday...see what it's all about and join in the fun....it's become another of my addictions....well being a bit of a nosey mare I can't resist having a rummage around in everyone else's crafty space

PERIDOT

is the national gem of Egypt and the ancient egyptians called it "the gem of the sun"

associated with love, truth, faithfulness and loyalty...fame, dignity and protection

Background stamped with Hero Arts... Dots and Flowers in TH Distress...Brushed Corduroy

Sizzix Frame Back Ornate stamped with Hero Arts... Heartfelt Messages in Versamark and embossed with Detail White.....then coloured with TH Distress Peeled Paint

Stem Image: Hero Arts...Scattered Leaves

Flowers: Prima

Pearls: Hobby House

Sentiment: Hero Arts...Thinking of You

and of course after die cutting the frame I am left with the negative....can't throw it away so perhaps I can sneak in a little play with this pad of gorgeous gorgeous papers that just jumped right into my basket at Simply Create ....I did protest but to no avail....it was coming home with me regardless

and I wish you could feel the texture on the flocked papers.....I think they may just be of  "the take out and stroke occasionally variety"....don't think I can bring myself to cut into them.

but the long list of things to do isn't going to get any shorter if I sit here much longer...so after our morning stroll it is definitely a nose to the grindstone kind of a day and tonight I must sit down and try and visit all my lovely bloggy buddies and catch up with all their gorgeous creations......and do you know what's going right at the top of my Christmas Wish List......more time please.

Catch up with you all later.

Hugs Kath xxx

Comfy seat and a cuppa

Morning folks.....I think you should get yourselves a cuppa and a comfy seat because yesterday did not go according to plan....a real saga was about to unfold as I sat down at the computer with my first coffee of the day to check that my posts had published.   Up popped a virus alert from my Anti-Virus program AVG.....or so I thought....believe me it looked like the real thing so I clicked on it.      Bigga mistake-a to make-a....I have now got a completely different site repeatedly asking me to download their virus removal software....the penny dropped and I tried to get rid of it....but shock horror my computer is now completely disabled.....every application I tried to open was apparently infected by this mysterious virus......but why hadn't my trusty AVG alerted me to this intruder.    Their ploy is simple....they are hoping that you are convinced that your computer is infected and will download the software in desperation giving them access to your computer/passwords and any sensitive information.   Many cups of coffee.....weeping and wailing... gnashing of teeth....tearing my hair out and much bad wordies later.....4 hours worth in fact I hit gold and managed to boot their butts back into cyberspace....but be warned....these nasties are becoming more and more sophisticated at making their sites look genuine....so think twice before clicking on anything that pops up on your desktop.

So now I am back in control....time to tell you all about the bestest fun day out at Simply Create with my lovely buddies....Jacqui Anne and Ann....but how naughty was Anne to post this pic on her blog....mega airbrushing or radical face lift are the words that spring to mind

And the poor unsuspecting customers who wandered into the shop....goodness knows what they thought of the resident lunatics...apologies folks....we are all daft as brushes but hey you only pass this way once so you may as well enjoy the ride.   We did lunch at the Bistro chatted laughed shopped more coffee and choccy cupcakes....us girls know how to live it up but sadly all good things come to an end suddenly it's 4.30 time to say goodbye and set off home.  I know that my lovely buddy Ann has totally fallen in love with Simply Create and have a sneak feeling it won't be too long before she is back for another visit.

And sweet lady that she is....she brought me pressies and a gorgeous card

some of the beautiful linen cardstock that she knows I love and the other love of my life.....yes Green & Black chocolates..what a sneaky ploy to try and get me to reveal all the details of my secret project.....did I manage to resist temptation....are you serious I was putty in her hands and promptly spilled the beans just to get my greedy hands on it....absolutely no willpower....well I am a crafter after all.

The secret project is finished...all packed up ready to go off in the mail...just a couple of sneaky peeks.....

No crafty stuff today....off to a family BBQ....fingers crossed that the weather decides to play ball but mac and the big brolly will be coming along just in case.   Catch up with you all later

Hugs Kath xxx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge...Week 113

Morning folks...Saturday morning and yes it's Penny Black time once again.    A big thank you to all those who cooked up a storm last week with their gorgeous creations for our recipe challenge.....we so appreciate that you take time out to join in the fun and share fabulous inspiration with us all.
The challenge this week over at Penny Black Saturday should put you all in holiday mood....all we need is the weather to co-operate and bring back some much needed sunshine...the thought of heading to the beach and dipping my toes in the North Sea today just doesn't appeal

ON THE BEACH

Papers: Coredinations Whitewash
Images: Penny Black "Beachy Day"
Sentiment: American Crafts Foam Thickers
Doodlebug Cardstock Stickers

And we have fabulous prizes once again for 2 lucky winners who will chosen at random and announced next Saturday

from Penny Black

"Reach for the Stars"

and from Stampers Supermarket

Penny Black Stamp of the Winner's Choice

And for some fabulous inspiration all you need to do is pop over to Penny Black Saturday and check out what my lovely teamies have come up with this week...gorgeous as always...each and every week they never fail to amaze me with their talent.    But now it's your turn and I am looking forward to seeing all your beachy creations....will be popping by to visit you through the week.

Will tell you all later about my faberoonie day out at Simply Create and remember the Design Team Call is open until 31st August at 5pm....if you want to be part of a fun new adventure....you need to get your skates on and e-mail Jacqui at simply-create@btconnect.com with your submission.

After 2 days off having fun with absolutely no crafty stuff done....it's back to the cubbyhole....a card to make for a cute dude who will be 4 tomorrow.....cutting it fine again....a brand new Funky Hand Christmas download to get my teeth into... lovely stamps Julia from Stampers Supermarket sent me to have a play with...absolutely gorgeous papers that just fell into my basket yesterday at Simply Create and Stampin Up stuff from my lovely buddy Anne and guess what....the day is already looking gloomy and wet...perfect weather for a busy but lots of fun crafty day....but where to start.

Hugs Kath xxx

In a word.....yippeee

Morning folks....at last it's Friday..it's been a week of scoring-folding-cutting-sticking-stamping and inking and I'm not complaining because I have the bestest job in the world playing with crafty stuff all day but just once in a while I get the urge to kick up my heels and spend some time with my lovely crafty buddies...one of life's simple pleasures that money can't buy.  A 20 minute drive....the car knows the way and will be on automatic pilot while I sit and admire the gorgeous scenery....no prizes for guessing.....yes I am off to

ALFORD

to spend the day at my favourite crafty haunt with the sweetest girls

Jacqui and Anne at

SIMPLY CREATE

but the icing on the cake....my bestest Fiskars Buddy Ann and her hubby Stewart are coming too....it's going to be a great day of crafty hugs... lunch....laughter and crafty chat and a chance for Ann to finally set foot in the hallowed space of Simply Create....am so looking forward to meeting up again.
Ann and I first met many moons ago at a Fiskars Recruitment Day in Newcastle....I can remember feeling a bit apprehensive about what the day had in store until I heard a welcome Scottish accent and made a beeline towards it's owner...she is now a very dear friend and has a very special place in my heart.   We don't see each other very often....the occasional training day or when I am working at the SECC but in those situations there's not a lot of time for catching up.....so Jacqui and Anne beware....you will be lucky to get a word in and no doubt I will be sharing all the news about my fabulous day out with you all later.
And you know I think I may be missing a trick here....lots of folks comment here that they would love to come visit Simply Create but live too far away....well do you think that Willie Walsh might just be willing to give you all cheapy seats on the morning BA flight to Aberdeen.....well he is rather desperate at the moment to get bums on seats...where I would be waiting in my cute chauffeur's uniform to transport you in style to Simply Create for a fun filled days shopping.....what do you think Jacqui.......Simply Create Tours in conjunction with British Airways and Kath's Limos.   Just a thought!!
And just time for a little sneaky peek before we head off for our morning stroll and then I jump in the jalopy and hit the road.....

Catch up with you all tomorrow for another fabby challenge over at Penny Black Saturday.

Hugs Kath xxx

Having a Play

Morning folks.....am I up to speed with the work stuff....not exactly but all work and no play is a tad boring so it was time to cut loose yesterday and have a little play with some of Timmie's Texture Fade Embossing Folders.....had these boys for ages and never got round to trying them out.....I know I should be hanging my head in shame and if you haven't been tempted yet....let me tell you they are fabulous....the embossing is so deep and crisp....love them and something else added to the long long list of crafty addictions....

Tim Holtz Texture Fade...Dot Matrix

Alteration....Scallop

Distressed with Brushed Corduroy....surprise..surprise

Hero Arts Image: Big & Small Flowers coloured with Broken China

Whimsical Frames

Big Dots

Sentiment: Hero Arts...Thinking Of You

Ribbon: Maya Road

My gorgeous hooligans will be arriving any minute to spend the day with Grandma....let's hope the weather holds and we can get out and about to get rid of some excess energy and before you jump to any conclusions I am not the one with the excess energy...I will be quite happy to sit and watch...need to conserve the old energy levels for my midnight oil burning session tonight in an attempt to make a dent in the never ending list of crafty things to do before my day off tomorrow.   Yes the cubbyhole will be closed for business and I will be  kicking up my heels and having fun with some lovely crafty buddies.

Hugs Kath xxx

What's On My Workdesk

Morning folks....yes it's Wednesday and time to play along at WOYWW  and after my little confession last week all the messy crafters out there will be pleased to know that Miss Neat Freak has turned over a new leaf...thrown caution to the wind and is now living life in the fast lane....it would appear that my alter ego Miss Little Bit Messy has taken up residence....

I know what you are thinking....this isn't too messy but I've had to crop most of the devastation out so that you don't see the parts of THE PROJECT I have already finished....yes the one that we can't talk about or share yet... but check out the stuff abandoned on the floor and after tripping over it several times already this morning I need to have a word with Miss Messy about her untidy habits....hasn't she heard about Health & Safety in the workplace....

but I have a sneaky feeling that she may soon be packing her suitcase and hi-tailing it out of here because the next job is enough to send anyone running for the hills.....threading up some of these itty bitty teeny weeny buttons....another of my freaky obsessions....I just can't stand to see naked buttons and where is my Champion Button Threader Friend Anne when I need her....

and they don't come much teeny weenier than this.....

I was hoping last week to get round to visiting all the other folks who share their workdesks with us but some small distractions got in the way in the shape of grandkids...car boot sale....deadlines...DT stuff...dog walking...cooking...eating and sleeping so please forgive me if I didn't visit you.....I will try and do better this week.

And it looks like my gorgeous bundle of golden deliciousness is having a bit of a "throwing his toys out of the pram" day....he's definitely not a happy bunny and is in a right huff after my suggestion yesterday that he could be bribed with biscuits to tell our little secret.....even a big cuddle didn't bring him round....but I bet my bottom dollar that a stroll in the woods....a run around with Miss Ruby and a yummy Bonio will get rid of that sulky face and life at the cubbyhole will be back to normal.  And the plan for today.....work work and more work.....roll on Friday...in the meantime I am looking forward to my nosey around all your crafty spaces

But before I dash off to get into crafty mode....I want to give a big Funky Hand hug to

Debs Jane and Lucy

our lovely new teamies over at Funky Hand

welcome on board The Funky Hand team girls

Hugs Kath xxx

Can you keep a secret?

Morning folks....I definitely had that Monday Morning feeling yesterday and I'm sure you all know what that feels like....couldn't gee my ginger long enough to get much of anything done....I think a good talking to and a kick up the butt may be required today to get me back on track.   We are still in Secret Project mode around here...even The Budster has been sworn to secrecy and would have you believe he is taking his responsibilities very seriously.....

don't you believe it....under interrogation he would give up at the first sniff of a packet of biscuits....but hey ho people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones....who knows how long I would manage to hold out if faced with some yummy Green & Black's choccy.
And after all that Official Trade Secrets stuff....I do have a card to share....another quick and simples I made a few weeks back and forgot to post..... 

Background created with Hero Arts....Dots & Flowers.....Stripes Pattern

Image: Hero Arts....Butterflies

Sentiment: Hero Arts....Big Hugs

Flowers: Petaloo

Gems from stash

and as we are in mauve mode today I thought I would share this gorgeous clematis already blooming it's head off although it doesn't normally flower until September....and after Sunday's drizzly drookit day....yesterday turned out rather sunny despite the doom and gloom merchants at the Met Office and of course I couldn't resist sitting in the garden with my cuppa and there you have it.....the reason for the crafty production line coming to a standstill.

and I have a little surprise for 2 of my lovely bloggy buds.....2 packs of the ribbons from my Fantastic Ribbons Give-Away have not been claimed so they will be winging their way to the first 2 comments from yesterday......

CAROL & DENISE

e-mail me with your addresses girls and I will get them off in the post

Fingers crossed I can get into crafty mode today and get some work done or else I may find myself in detention on Friday and that wouldn't do at all.  Catch up with you all tomorrow over at WOYWW...can't wait to see what everybody else has been up to this week.

Hugs Kath xxxx

Scrap Cards

Morning folks....did I make it to the car boot or not...after a bit of humming and haaing about the weather forecast and because basically I couldn't be bothered unloading the car again I decided to go for it.   Despite the cloudy drizzly weather...I had a very productive day.....in other words lots of stuff has now gone to new homes or else is cluttering up someone else's garage and the stash buying account is well and truly back in the black.   And guess who I met having a little nosey round.....surprise surprise....my lovely matey Anne from Simply Create.
After making yesterday's card.....I was left with some scraps...us crafters can't bear to throw anything away and hey the scrap box is already bursting at the seams so I made some quick and simple cards...and another chance to have a play at stitching....this is becoming another major addiction....

Papers: Funky Hand....Colour Me Happy Collection....

Jillibean Soup...Kraft Paper

Images: Hero Arts.....2 Houses...Artistic Borders....Be Inspired

Sentiments: Hero Arts.....Big Hugs

Rub-ons....buttons and twine from stash

Flowers: Prima and Petaloo

Time for my crafty partner and I to set off for our morning stroll....and then back to the cubbyhole for the first of four nose to the grindstone days....trying to fit 5 days work into 4 because I am having a "ME" day on Friday....a little treat you might say....off to meet up with one of my lovely buddies at....guess where....for a good old natter...a bite of lunch and a crafty spend and no doubt that will make a bit of a dent in the car boot profits.

Catch up with you all later.

Hugs Kath xxx

Get Funky Challenge....August

Morning folks....the first of the month and time once again for another challenge over at Get Funky.  Have you popped over to see who was the lucky winner of the £20 Funky Hand voucher from last month's challenge......

The theme for this month's challenge has been set by my lovely teamie Dolly

POCKETS

Papers...Alphabets and Flowers from the Delighted Laughter Collection
on the fabulous Colour Me Happy CD...I love that gingham paper
Buttons and twine from stash

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment with a link to your entry over at Get Funky....so we can come visit you and who knows you could be the lucky winner this month of a £20 voucher to spend at Funky Hand
and
it's a rather special month for the Get Funky Gang
yes.....it's our first birthday.....where has the year gone
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GET FUNKY

*As an extra something to celebrate our 1st birthday all entries that follow the 3 all important rules will also receive a prize.*

Look forward to seeing what you all create this month and will be popping by to pay you all a visit.

Hopefully by the time you are reading this I will be busy busy at the car boot sale selling all my old tat....fingers crossed that there lots of folks with money to spend or more to the point that they can be persuaded to part with it....I so do not want to take this stuff home again.....in fact hubby has given me an ultimatum...cheesed off at trying to manoeuvre around it in the garage.

Catch up with you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge...Week 112

Morning folks...it's Saturday and the last day of July....can you believe how fast the weeks are going... I don't want to be a party pooper but let's face it we are rushing headlong now towards Christmas..believe me it will here before you know.....and wowee loads of fabulous inspiration from you all for our "It's Christmas in July Challenge" last week...quite a few ideas I will be storing away for my usual rushing at the last minute Christmas Card making session.....thanks to everybody who joined in the fun last week and it was lovely to see some new faces too.
The challenge this week from Penny Black Saturday is a recipe....time to look out your aprons and ingredients and cook up some fabulous cards to share with us all.....

READY STEADY COOK

1 Circle....2 Papers and 3 Flowers

Papers: Delish Designs...High Tea Collection

Image: Penny Black....Poppy Poem

Circle cut with Cricut George & Basic Shapes

Flowers: Petaloo

Gems and Ribbon from stash

Sentiment: TH Adage Ticket

Eyelets: WeR Memory Keepers

would you believe this one nearly turned into a disaster....oh yes you probably would going by my past record of diving in before I read the challenge.....yes Mrs Numptie forgot about the circle but managed to salvage  what could have ended up "a start all over again" card.

and we have 2 fabulous prizes this week for the lucky winners who will be chosen at random and announced next Saturday

from PB Stamps

15% lifetime discount voucher to spend in the online store

absolutely packed to the rafters with our beloved Penny Blacks and I don't think even Dick knows how many stamps he has for you to buy

and from Fantastic Ribbons

4 Rolls of Ribbons of the winner's choice

another wonderful online store and if you are a ribbon..button and lace addict like me

I would suggest that you make yourselves a cuppa and have a browse

For some wonderful inspiration pop over to Penny Black Saturday and check out the gourmet feast that our fabulous Design Team have cooked up this week.  Can't wait to see what you all create this week and will be popping over for my weekly helping of Penny Black inspiration.

Catch up with you all tomorrow for a brand new challenge over at Get Funky...I will be loading up the car later today for another try at the Car Boot tomorrow.....weather depending of course....fingers crossed third time lucky.

Hugs Kath xxx