Join us on our morning stroll

Morning folks.....no crafty stuff to show today because when I took myself into the kitchen yesterday morning with the sun shining brightly through the windows....the word "pigsty" hit me square between the eyes...if the man from Environmental Health were to pay a surprise visit he would slap a CONDEMNED sticker on the door....so I spent the day wiping and scrubbing to get it all sparkly shiny again.    Contrary to what some folks think I don't spend all day crafting...there are always those pesky household chores to do and lots of doggy strolls to fit in which I must admit I enjoy every bit as much as my furry friend especially the first one in the morning when I have a wee think about any crafty stuff I have to do that day and we are just about to set off so why don't you grab your jacket and pop on your boots and join us on our morning stroll.

first stop on the way to the woods is to say good morning to the gorgeous Slim...
waiting to greet us with a welcome woof...bestest chums since they were hooligan puppies

 we arrive at the woods and he's off...nose to the ground and tail wagging from side to side....all those smells that dogs find irresistible and ever hopeful of picking up the scent of some rabbits to play chase with

"for goodness sake Mum please try and keep up"

are they wildflowers or weeds.....beautiful whatever

the rowan trees are laden with berries....nature's way of providing for the birds through the winter

and a special breakfast treat for me .....wild raspberries growing in abundance and next month there will be loads of blackberries for me to feast on

all too soon it's time to head home and time for his biscuit....if he's been good

no sooner are we home and the kettle is on....

normally it would then be a quick jig round with Mr Dyson and off to the cubbyhole while "His Nibs" catches up on some zzz's but not today....I had intended to pay a visit to Alford just to drop off the samples you understand but hubby put the scuppers on that one when he announced he needed the car.....but all is not lost....my lovely bloggy bud Debbi has been having serious Simply Create withdrawals since she came back from her hols so she offered to pick me up....absolutely no persuasion needed.....yes you've guessed the crafty production line has ground to a halt once more. So naughty when I have loads to do but a girl needs to cut loose and have fun every once in a while....whether I will still be of that mind tonight when I am burning the midnight oil is another matter. So batten down the hatches Anne....the terrible twins are paying you a visit this morning...have the kettle on the boil.

Catch up with you all later

Hugs Kath xxx

What's on my Workdesk Wednesday

Morning folks.....up with the birdies this morning and it's a gorgeous bright sunshiney morning here in the North East of Scotland but the question is....will it last the whole day...lots to do this week and already it's Wednesday but that means it's time to join in the fabulous fun over at WOYWW.
I must confess the week so far has not been exactly productive in the crafty department apart from a load of personal cards I had completely forgotten about and had to rustle up at the speed of light yesterday.  But you didn't pop across to listen to me waffling on about my crafty woes....so without any more ado here is what's on my workdesk today.

gorgeous Hero Arts Stamps that the lovely Jacqui from Simply Create gave me to play with.....

so I've been making some samples for the shop....can't wait to play with the gorgeous butterfly images and I love making these dinky little scrapling cards...a great way to use up the waste from an A4 card when you chop it down to make a square card.

all I have left of this fabulous Bistro Collection paper and nothing goes to waste in the cubbyhole so I stamped some poppy images all ready to make another Poppy 3D card which will probably also be winging it's way to Simply Create and hopefully this paper hasn't sold out and I can replenish the stocks

and look what the Postie brought yesterday......gorgeous MME Christmas papers and stamps and from Hero Arts the long-awaited Music Background Cling.....sometime ago Hero Arts asked us girls over at the Hero Arts Flickr Group if we had any suggestions for their Christmas 2010 stamps....this one was requested over and over again and Hero Arts being the great company that they are... listened....I just know this will become a real favourite and will be used over and over and over again.

finally look who is sitting right by my side at the computer as I finish off this post....yes it's my crafty buddy...the sweetest bundle of golden deliciousness.....is he awaiting his instructions for the day perhaps.....are you serious he's a Goldie....he's waiting for a bit of my breakfast toast and then he will desert his crafty post and head off for a power snooze. Can't wait to have a rummage around everyone else's crafty spaces this week....catch up with you all tomorrow if I can get the crafty fingers back up to speed and get some challenge cards done.   

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited to add: crikey I feel faint.....I left some comments this morning when I linked my post over at WOYWW and managed to do about 20 with great intentions of bettering my dismal total of last week...popped back a few minutes ago and now there are 119 desks to view....think I may have to go and lie down.

A Rare Glimpse

Morning folks....not a lot of crafty stuff to share this morning because the intention was to have a chill out day yesterday after my busy weekend....a bit cream crackered and looked as though I had been pulled through a hedge backwards....one of the disadvantages of being an oldie....but I'm sure I will survive.  Now hang onto  your galluses folks....a rare glimpse of that most elusive of species...the camera shy crafty lady at work....oh how I hate having my pic taken but it's already been posted on my bloggy bud Carol's blog....so what the heck... this is me in typical demo mode peering over the top of my specs with Lord Timmie's Blending Tool at the ready....and just look at that messy table....

but I can't chill out for long before the cubbyhole beckons and by afternoon I was back in play mode....throwing some ideas around for a fun project I need to be working on.....not quite going according to plan and I have a sneaky suspicion that I may have left Mr Mojo with the lovely girls at Huntly....if so can you please send him home asap......

because I have Timmie's stuff to play with and brand new challenges over at Daring Cardmakers and Simon Says Stamp and Show to think about...hoping to catch up with you all tomorrow for WOYWW and don't even mention how many folks I managed to visit last week.....hanging my head in shame.

Hugs Kath xxx
Edited to add:  my bloggy buddy Lora has some stamps for sale....you can see them HERE and HERE

Busy...but lots of fun.....

Morning folks....lots of news and pics to share today....so get yourselves comfy with a nice cuppa and I shall begin......I've had a fun weekend and it all kicked off on Friday when I took myself off to the MEGA SALE at SIMPLY CREATE.....arrived to find the shop hooching with mad crafty bargain hunters...so it was on with the bag packer...tea lady and washer upper hat for the day.   Great fun meeting up with all those like minded crafty addicts and having a nosey at what they were all buying and there were lots of delicious bargains..would you believe some managed to find their way back to the cubbyhole....now there's a surprise.  Jacqui and Anne are SIMPLY THE BEST...every customer is greeted with a big smile and whether you are a shopaholic intent on buying the whole shop or have just popped in for some buttons you are guaranteed a very warm welcome and all the help or advice you need....nothing is too much trouble for these two sweethearts and in this day and age where shop assistants can't even make eye contact with their customers let alone talk to us...you are both a MAGICAL breath of fresh air and a big thank you girls for letting me play "shoppies" for the day.
Saturday wasn't so much fun.....the weather was gorgeous and I was stuck in the cubbyhole knee deep in offcuts from the guillotine after all the prep and kitting for Sunday but my reward was another fabulous day out with the lovely girls at the Huntly Craft Group...

my lovely bloggy bud Carol on the left was busy taking sneaky pics of me.....let's wait and see what she puts on her blog because I still have one or two in reserve suitable for a bit of blackmail.

the youngest member of the group....the sweet Ashleigh who is a dab hand at stamping and completed her card with just a teeny weeny bit of help from Mum

they are such a fun bunch....we had an absolute hoot and a big thank you girls for inviting me along....despite being an old hand at the demo game I never tire of sharing my passion for all things crafty.....you can't possibly call it WORK when you spend your time playing with fabulous products and meeting lovely folks and I am so lucky to do what I love and love what I do.

And the demo had a bit of a Kraft..Black/White theme which is very on trend at the moment using my favourite products.....Hero Arts gorgeous stamps....Lord Timmie of All Things Holtziness Distress Inks.....gorgeous papers...buttons and ribbons.

love this poppy image and so does everyone else...apparently it's like gold dust in the UK at the moment...perfect for some paper piecing 3D work......

and it wasn't fair that I was the only one playing ...so we all got inky and made some cards together and even more inky with Tim's Tattered Florals

and what am I doing today....the plan was to have a lazy "snuggly on the sofa with my bundle of golden deliciousness" kind of day catching up with the Sunday newspapers and another of my addictions.....the crosswords.... in between our daily strolls but Mr Postie has just arrived with a yummy parcel....Tim Holtz fabulous Tissue Tapes...Texture Fades and Masks...have been itching for this stuff to arrive....haven't a clue what I am going to do with it yet but hey it will be lots of fun finding out.......catch up with you all tomorrow when hopefully the old body will have recovered and I will be back in the crafty swing.

Hugs Kath xxx

Blue Moon Stamps Give-Away

Morning folks....it's going to be another bonny sunshiney day...the car is all packed up and I am just grabbing a bite of breakfast before I set off for my fun day out demo-ing for the lovely ladies at the Huntly Craft Group and it's not fair that I am the only one having fun today so it's time for a give-away.
The lovely Julia at Stampers Supermarket....one of our very generous sponsors over at Penny Black Saturday recently sent me some of her own range of stamps called Blue Moon to have a little play with and I loved working with this one and before all you expert gardeners go botanical on me.....I do realise it's a Clematis but it did remind me so much of everyone's favourite Christmas flower...the Poinsettia....so it was Christmas cards all round.....

And Julia is very kindly giving away 3 gorgeous Blue Moon stamps to 3 lucky winners who will be chosen at random next Sunday..

All  you have to do to enter is leave me a comment here and who knows you may just be one of those lucky winners.    In the meantime pop over to Blue Moon and have a browse.

Catch up with you all tomorrow for all the news and gossip from a very busy weekend

Hugs Kath xxx
Edited add: will try and get the images of the 3 stamps on here at the beginning of the week....why are there never enough hours in a day

Penny Black Saturday Challenge....Week 114

Morning folks.....it's Saturday and that means it's time for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday.    A big thank you to all those brave folks who joined us last week for some fun on the beach and well done to all those who didn't have any beach themed stamps but put their thinking caps on and came up with some inspirational cards.

The challenge this week is......

FEELING FRUITY

and before your minds all go into overdrive....we would like to see fruit featured on your creations this week...I know what you're thinking... this could be another "thinking out of the box" challenge

but I'm confident that you will all rise to the challenge

Papers: Creative Imaginations

Image: Penny Black....Have a Micey Day

Sentiment: American Crafts Foam Thickers

Tim Holtz Grungeboard Alphabet

Adorn-it...Tiny Whoopsy Red Alphas

and the prizes this week for 2 lucky winners chosen at random.....

$20 voucher to spend at

1-2-3 Stitch

a heaven on earth online store choc-a-bloc with our beloved Penny Blacks

and from Penny Black

this gorgeous bundle of sweetness....."Fuzzy Mail"

 if you pop over to Penny Black Inc you can download their Christmas 2010 catalogue..browse to your heart's content and make up your Wish List.

Well now it's your turn to feel fruity...look forward to seeing what you all create and will be popping over to visit you all during the week.why don't you pop over to the cubbyhole tomorrow....I have 3 delicious stamps to give-away.
It's a  lovely bright sunshiney and blue sky morning here but will it last all day.....The Budster and I are off for our morning stroll and then it's a day of prepping for my fun demo tomorrow with the Huntly Craft Group...I know last minute Annie is down to the wire once again.....why don't you pop over to the cubbyhole tomorrow....I have 3 delicious stamps to give-away.

Happy Crafting Everyone
Hugs Kath xxx

Bargains galore....

Morning folks and just a quickie post this morning....I will soon be heading off to Simply Create to get myself in the queue for their MEGA SALE which starts today but is also on tomorrow if you are unfortunate enough to be at work today....hope there haven't been too many folks camping out overnight and remember to stand well back Jacqui and Anne when you throw open the doors to the crafty crazy bargain hunter mob.
It's been a bizzzzeeee kind of a week and the weather has been absolutely dismal.....days of torrential rain and although it's a real pain in the butt for the doggie strolls....it means I have spent lots of time in the cubbyhole ticking loads of crafty jobs off the old list of things to do and even managed to squeeze in another card for the brand new challenge over at Simon Says Stamp and Show.

Papers: GCD Studios....Paris Nights

Image: Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection...Shabby French

TH Alterations....Caged Bird

Sentiment: printed from computer onto back of Adage Ticket

TH Grunge Alphabet

Letters from Adage Ticket cut out and fixed to white card

finished off with a bit of edge inking and distressing

and one of my favourite Hero Arts stamps....Tiny Jubilee Dots

For all you Funky Hand fans out there.....Anice will be on Create & Craft this morning at 9.00am Sky 671... Freeview 36 and Freesat 813....with her Colour me Happy and Dreams Come True CDs and if you have resisted temptation so far.....well resist no more my friends....they are fabulous and you will love them...tune in for some inspiration....fun demos from Anice and gorgeous creations from the Design Team.

Just time to share a little sneaky peek.....

before The Budster and I head off for our "quick sprint" morning stroll and then The Chief Cubbyhole Buyer heads west for some bargain hunting fun.  Catch up with you all tomorrow for another fabby challenge over at Penny Black Saturday.

Hugs Kath xxx

Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge

Morning folks...I can hardly contain my excitement....a brand new challenge especially for all us girls who love anything vintagey....grungey or Tim Holtzy and I just know that this is going to become another of my addictions and after weeks of anticipation and teasing by the lovely and fantastically talented Linda....our very own version of our beloved Lord Timmie of Holtziness....the challenge went live on Monday and what took me so long to enter....if you don't know what on earth I am on about....where have you been hiding.....it's the

 Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge

THINK WITH WINGS

Papers: GCD Studios.....Paris Nights

Butterfly: Hero Arts Butterflies

Pin...pearls and beads from stash

Twill Tape: Stampin Up

Flowers: Petaloo

Sentiment strips....can't remember...have had them for ages

Tim Holtz Adage Tickets

Yes....this was the card that was on my desk yesterday using those gorgeous papers that demanded to come home with me from Simply Create...and a bit of a panic moment when I was editing the photo....have I put the music paper on upside down...apparently not if the tiny writing behind the butterfly is anything to go by....still doesn't look right to me but hey what does the person that sounds like a cat on a hot tin roof when she tries to sing know.
I'm cracking on with the crafty stuff and would you believe even the Penny Black Saturday DT card is done and dusted....no skidding in by the seat of my pants this week because I am off gallivanting again tomorrow in my role as Chief Cubbyhole Stash Buyer and if you live in the North East of Scotland.....get yourselves to Alford and partake of some fabulous bargains in Simply Create's MEGA...MEGA...SALE.....Friday and Saturday.....so don't miss out folks.

And have you got your tickets yet for the 

held at the Great Yorkshire Showground Harrogate on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September.

Show times are 10.00am-4.30pm Saturday and 10.00am-4.00pm on Sunday with wheelchair access from 9.30am on both days.

Tickets can be bought online from Craftwork Cards or by calling 0113 287 7794 and are also available to buy on the door on both days....you can find all the ticket price details and list of exhibitors HERE

There are Breakfast Workshops available to book online taking place prior to the show on both days.

You can also enter the Card Oscars on Saturday 11th....full details on the blog.....HERE

and

on Sunday there is a new fun item

READY STEADY CRAFT

where 4 top UK crafters will be challenged to make a card from a bag of goodies and the public will vote for the winner.
All organised by Craftwork Cards....bringing together the best of the UK papercrafting retailers all under one roof....a great excuse to shop until you drop and to meet up with lots of friendly crafters.
Catch up with you all tomorrow for sneaky peek Friday
Hugs Kath xxx

What's on my Workdesk Wednesday

Morning folks...yes it's Wednesday once again and nosey parker time....do I really have time to be rummaging around in everyone else's crafty spaces.....definitely not but it's fast becoming another addiction and it's all down to that lovely lady Julia over at WOYWW....does she know what she has started.    But I am not the only nosey parker out there judging by the number of folks throwing open the doors of their crafty rooms for the world and his wife to wander in and have a little snoop around.

So here's what on my workdesk today....

those yummy papers from Simply Create and delicious Hero Arts Butterfly stamps...

my "ashamed to show" Fiskars scissors all gunged up with tape but guaranteed to cut ribbon perfectly no matter how manky they are...and I am happy to report that Miss Neat Freak is back in residence again.....OK my desk is a tip but the other areas are looking all sparkly spick and span.....just the way I like it but how long will it last....

and just in case you are wondering what this is tucked away in the corner....

another of my addictions.....my choccy jar

The work has been set aside and it's playtime......with a bit of help from Lady Luck and a choc or two I am hoping this may turn into yet another challenge card....so pop back tomorrow to see if all has gone according to plan.  And yet again I have to apologise for not getting round to visiting everyone last week and unless I take to staying up all night I fear that even with the best of intentions in the world I am always going to fail miserably.

Catch up with you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Craftwork Cards Sketch 6 Challenge

Morning folks....time for another sketch challenge from Craftwork Cards.... love this sketch and don't know why but it just shouted Christmas at me....one which I will be filing away in my sketch folder to kick start the creative thoughts when us crafters have those dreaded "oh my mind's gone blank" moments and I followed the sketch to the letter for a quick and simple card...and it doesn't get much simpler than this....even for me....I have the feeling it needs something extra....

All products used are from Craftwork Cards

Papers: Ritchie

Flowers: Festive flowers

Chipboard Letter

Christmas Coins

Card Candy

Ribbon

apart from the sentiment....Letraset Rub-ons

my favourite glitter.....Decoart....Glamour Dust

Fiskars Scalloped Circle Punch

all you need to do to enter is send your entry by e-mail to info@craftworkcards.com by Friday 20th August and who knows you might just be the lucky winner of some fabulous Craftwork Cards products.

It's a bright bonny blue sky morning after a horrendous thunderstorm last night.    There I was all snuggled up in bed reading the latest Ian Rankin thriller...The Budster soundo at my feet when the rain started...not just a little pitter patter....real monsoon stuff bouncing off the roof.... then there was a huge flash followed in a nanosecond by the biggest bang and we were pitched into darkness....hey I got a fright never mind the poor Budster.   Oh bother I had just reached an exciting bit in the book so I gingerly felt my way downstairs to get a torch and sat out the storm reading by torchlight...very Enid Blyton and the Famous Five.....thankfully it moved away quite quickly but rumbled on in the distance for at least another hour.
Another catchy up kind of a day....not making too many dents in the list of things to do and it looks like it could be another 3 day crafting week.....have a feeling that the hooligans will be coming on Thursday and Friday.....well I am off to the SALES.....Jacqui at Simply Create is having a MEGA SALE on Friday and Saturday....lots of fabulous offers....will I see you there.....in the meantime I will see you all tomorrow over at WOYWW.

Hugs Kath xxx