Ribbon Girl Birthday Blog Hop Winner

Hi Everyone...I know you're wondering who has won the gorgeous bundle of goodies that The Ribbon Girl gave me for a give-away on their Birthday Blog Hop...

well wonder no more....it's 

ARCHIES MUM

Congratulations...if you e-mail me with your address your Ribbon Girl goodies will be winging their way to you soon

You may not have won from me...but remember to visit all my lovely teamies and of course The Ribbon Girl Blog...who knows you may yet be a winner.

My special visitor is in bed fast asleep and I won't be far behind him...we will be up bright and early tomorrow all excited about our special adventure day out.

Sleep Tight & Sweet Dreams

Kath xxx

Definitely not slacking....

Morning folks...contrary to what The Furry Boy has been telling you I have definitely not been slacking...neither have I been sitting stuffing my face with goodies...well not all the time...crikey what's the world coming to if you can't have a treat or two on your holidays.
And talking of holidays...I am off on a jolly tomorrow with a very special little fella...we have a bright and early start so he is coming for a sleep over tonight....woohooo I think it may be an evening of snuggled up in our jammies with a DVD...ice cream and popcorn.
In the meantime here are the last minute cards from last week...for another special fella...my great nephew who will be 5 soon....crikey where does time go...it just seems like yesterday he was born....

 and in a week and a bit he'll be off to school...

and how different are things nowadays...there's all this phasing in gradually nonsense that has Mums running around like headless chickens...a desk planner in one hand and their degree in logistics in the other.  Funny how memories stick in your mind...I can recall my first day at school as though it were yesterday...no pre-school nurseries in those days so it was a bit of a culture shock to be marched in...plonked at a desk and abandoned to the mercies of what I thought at the time must be the oldest woman on the planet who bore an uncanny resemblance to a witch...minus the nasal warts...Miss Campbell as I recall.  A right old tartar who took no prisoners and showed off her prowess with the belt on the very first day...now this was way before the word tantrum and naughty step jumped into the dictionary and did it leave me traumatised and in need of counselling...NOT A BIT...it was a sharp lesson that if you don't behave...there are consequences.  Thankfully those days are gone but hey perhaps we've gone too much the other way.

Time for us to set off on one of The Furry Boy's marathon walks and NO I will not be rampaging through the undergrowth in pursuit of any animals with cute cotton wool tails.

Catch up with you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited to add: pop back at 9.30pm when I will be announcing

 my Ribbon Girl Birthday Blog Hop WINNER.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge...Week 163

Morning folks...before we know it's Saturday and time for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday...I was blown away by all your lovely Penny Black backgrounds...obviously there was a wealth of thinking out of the box moments and I wonder who our Guest Designer for September is going to be...you need to pop over right now and check it out...woohooo it could be YOU.

The challenge this week is.....

ANYTHING GOES

after a couple of weeks of challenges which were to be honest stinkers...we thought we would let you off the hook this week...so it's time to have a rummage in your stack of Penny Blacks and let your imagination run riot.

Image: Penny Black...Candy Cane Perch
Background created with Distress Ink Stormy Sky
with a quick spritz from a Mini Mister
Snowflakes: Martha Stewart Punch
Sentiment: Penny Black Christmas Critters

this was another of my running at the last minute cards...put together real quick and I rather like it....perhaps we are inclined to overthink things when we have time on our hands.

We have fabulous prizes this week for two lucky winners who will be chosen at random and announced next Saturday....

from Penny Black

Fun Filled Stockings

and from The Ribbon Girl

Fuschia Ribbon Kit

Look forward to seeing what you all create this week and will be popping over for a visit....hope you all have a great weekend whatever the weather or whatever you are planning.

Hugs Kath xxx

oops I've just spotted one itty bitty holly berry which has missed the Promarker fine nib treatment

Shadow Box Give-Away

Morning folks...the first week of the holibobs gone and things haven't exactly gone to plan...the new cubbyhole residents are still sitting on my workdesk patiently waiting for me to come along with an ink pad...but you know what like it is folks....there are always those other pesky things that get in the way...yesterday was a trip into town...back to M&S with all the "wonderful outfits" from my shopping spree last week...the ones that looked terrific on the models in the store but definitely not a pretty sight when I tried them on and stood in front of the mirror.  The afternoon whizzed by making some personal cards that need to be delivered today and this morning I need to get my Penny Black DT card done for tomorrow...I'm on holiday with all the time in the world and I am still running at the last minute and skidding in by the seat of my pants...so the gorgeous stamps from Hero Arts Joy To You Collection are feeling a little neglected.  But I've hatched a cunning plan...tomorrow I will be locking the front door...taking the phone off the hook and shutting myself away from the outside world to have some fun...who could resist those gorgeous snowflakes...certainly not this crafty lady who has a huge snowflake fetish...

and I have a little something for you to play with...

a shadow box and all the bits and pieces you need to complete it...even down to the cotton wool snow...

so if you want to have some Shadow Box Fun...leave me a comment here before midnight on Thursday 11th and I will announce the winner on Friday 12th.  Catch up with you all tomorrow over at Penny Black Saturday she says confidently...let's hope Mr Mojo doesn't throw a spanner in the works.

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited: I was going to use Mr Linky but he's having a tantrum and doesn't want to play...

And would you like to win this sweet little fairy made by my lovely teamie GAIL

all you need to do is pop over to The Ribbon Girls..give her a name and she could be coming to stay with you and while you're there...check out the new Ribbon Girl Shop...it's has a brand new look and lots of extra things to make your shopping experience easier and don't forget you still have time to enter The Ribbon Girl Birthday Blog Hop.

Woohooo I got a parcel

Hey there all my lovely bloggy buds...guess who...yes it's your bundle of golden deliciousness...I know I've been neglecting you all but I haven't had much spare time..I've been taking my old Mum off on some mammoth long walks...well to let you understand she's been very naughty lately...doing lots of sitting around drinking coffee and stuffing her face with all sorts of goodies so I need to do my bit to keep that ever growing spare tyre in check. I'm beginning to think this holiday thing isn't such a great idea..it's a recipe for ending up looking like a roly poly barrel...not that it's a problem for super fit me...an hour or so of chasing those pesky bunnies is a sure fire way of keeping those extra pounds at bay...you should try it folks although I'm still trying to persuade she who insists on having just one more biscuit to give it a go.

And talking of treats...a yummy parcel popped through the letterbox the other day just for me...makes a change from all that crafty stuff...

 of course I had to do a bit of a taste test....

big thank you and furry snuggles to my lovely Ribbon Girl buddies Mary and...

 this wee smasher...Haggis

And another little tip for you folks...if you want to avoid visits to the dentist and have super white sparkly teeth just like my buddy Haggis and Me...ditch that silly toothbrush regime and get yourself some chewy doggy treats...they're absolutely yummy.  I'm off to have a power snooze until it's time for another tooth cleaning treat....Mum will be back soon with a little treat for you and no doubt she will be sharing the contents of the latest crafty parcel to arrive in the cubbyhole.

Big Furry Hugs and Snuggles

BUDDY xxx

Go Configure....

Morning folks...after a bit of a dodgy start....the sun actually came out to play yesterday so I had a get down on my hands and knees weeding session in the garden...can life get anymore exciting I wonder...give me mucky hands whether it be ink or earth and I am a happy bunny.
And on the subject of happy...I had a real fun class at The Papeterie on Saturday making a TH Christmas Configuration Box with lovely crafty girls...this is a bit of a full on workshop with lots of different techniques and I was a bit concerned that it might run way over but this group of talented crafters were a pleasure to teach...they sailed through it making it look easy peasy....Tim would have been impressed girls.

Here's the box....no inky grungy stuff in sight....a Configuration Box....Kath Style

but if you decorate the front of the box....you can't fit the lid...but hey ho that means that you now have a two for the price of one project...yes you can make the lid into a shadow box. And blow me over with a feather....included in the price of the class was a fabulous 12 x 12 Paper Pad from Martha Stewart...24 - beautiful double sided papers...more like cardstock really and the girls had more than enough to decorate the shadow box with loads left over to make a start on this year's Christmas cards.

Catch up with you all tomorrow for some Hero Arts Christmas sneaky peeks and a little birdie tells me there may just be a little give-away.

Hugs Kath xxx

What's On My Workdesk Wednesday

Morning folks...for those of you who don't know me personally...friends would tell you or you may have guessed from this diary of my everyday crafty life that I am a "cup half full" kind of a girl...every cloud has a silver lining in my book and POSITIVE is my middle name but even I am struggling to keep up the happy face mode...all because The North East of Scotland seems to be the only place in the UK that hasn't had summer yet...oh yes we've had a quick blink of the sun here and there but nothing to write home about...in fact I think they have decided to dump all the UK's quota of summer rainfall here.
Day 3 of the Holibobs and I'm back in the cubbyhole today trying to fill up that cheery cup again and because it's Wednesday...sharing what's on my workdesk with all my lovely crafty buddies over at Julia's place aka WOYWW and hang onto your galluses folks...with all this free time on my hands I should be able to pop over and visit you this week.

First job of the day whether it's holibobs or not is catch up with e-mails and check out what's happening in bloggyland over a cuppa....

and I'm afraid I've fallen down already on the "NO WORKSHOPS OR CLASSES" for August and September...well it's very hard to resist my two passions...sharing papercrafting ideas with lots of lovely crafters and having a play with the brand new gorgeous Hero Arts from their Joy To You Holiday 2011 Collection...so today I'll be trying to translate all those ideas floating around in my head into cards for a "Hero Arts Christmas" Class at THE PAPETERIE on Saturday 27th August...1.30-3.30pm....give Charlotte a call on 01224 802337 if you want to come and play.

 One down....3 or 4 more to go....

And what about that cloud that's hanging over the cubbyhole...does it have a silver lining...of course...with all this rain there will be no need to get the hose out to water the pots or wash the car. Catch up with you all tomorrow when I will be sharing the TH Christmas Configuration Box we made last Saturday...Kath Style...

Hugs Kath xxx

HOT NEWS...

Morning folks...time to share the HOT NEWS I've been sitting on for weeks...ooh I'm so excited...all of a flutter...even the rain pouring down the window can't dampen my spirits this morning because...

The Girls Who Just Want To Have Fun

are back...yes The 3 Crafters have been allowed out to play again. Just when you thought it was safe to pop your head above the parapet we are organising another of our Craft Workshop Days on 1st October at The Papeterie Aberdeen.
We had such a lot of fun last time round that we thought you might just be up for another day of crafty frolics with DEBBI...ANNE and yours truly...and surprise surprise...it's all about...

CHRISTMAS

You will be making three exciting innovative projects to inspire your creative spirit using up-to-the minute crafty products...all materials and tools to complete your projects are provided. And a yummy lunch..tea..coffee and biccys are included....all you need to bring along is YOU.
Places are limited to 30...seats at the last one flew out of the window so if you want to come and play...don't delay...you know what they say..."you snooze...you lose"...for details and to guarantee your bum on one of those seats...get in touch with Debbi at....

wiccababe@btopenworld.com 

or call 01224 781165 

What am I up to today...your guess is as good as mine...the weather is back to dull dark and drizzly and the novelty of all this free time is beginning to wear off....no routine means the day just seems to disappear without anything getting done because of all those "lazing around in my jammies" and "I'll just have another coffee" moments.  A serious talking-to is required and with a bit of luck I'll see you all tomorrow over at WOYWW

Hugs Kath xxx

The Ribbon Girl Birthday Blog Hop

Morning folks....well what better way to chase away those Monday Morning Blues than to have a bit of a party....yes we are celebrating The Ribbon Girl's 1st Birthday with a birthday blog hop.

There are lots of prizes up for grabs....from The Ribbon Girl and each member of the design team too...so if you have already been hopping along and arrived here from my lovely new teamie...

 VICKY 

who I am absolutely delighted to say has agreed to come on board and join our happy little band permanently...you are definitely on the right track.   If not or you got lost somewhere along the way...pop back to THE RIBBON GIRL BLOG for a list of all the stops on your blog hop journey. You have loads of time to complete the blog hop....up until 9pm on Sunday 7th August.

And we can't have a birthday without a card....

so this is for Andrea and Mary...two of the nicest girls in craftyland...

wishing you many more birthdays and a big thank you for bringing us ribbon addicts so many gorgeous products 

And woohooo I have a delicious bundle of Ribbon Girl goodies to give away...just leave me a comment here before 7th August at 9pm and I will announce my winner on the 8th...

The next stop on your Birthday Blog Hop Journey will take you to visit my lovely and very very talented teamie....
GAIL

Have lots of fun on your birthday blog hop trip and keep checking out The Ribbon Girl Blog throughout the month of August for lots of celebration give-aways.  Woohoo the sun has arrived...could August be the start of summer in my neck of the woods....I ain't holding my breath or ditching my vest just yet......see you all tomorrow for some HOT NEWS....and I am so excited I could crush a grape.

Hugs Kath xxx
FOR THE WINNER OF MY ECHO PARK...VICTORIAN GARDENS GIVE-AWAY....
SCROLL DOWN

A Lightbulb Moment..and we have a winner

Morning folks....the first day of my holi-bobs...no deadlines or crafty lists to fret over....just weeks of twiddling my thumbs...chilling out...putting my feet up...don't you believe it....life is never dull in the cubbyhole..HOT NEWS coming your way soon and I may just be working on the patent for a brand new lightbulb moment invention and it happened quite by accident as all good ideas do....with this card....

During my demo at The Papeterie on Saturday...perhaps I should have been paying attention instead of chatting ten to the dozen...one eagle eyed crafter noticed I had fixed the mat onto the card the wrong way round...oops it opened from the left instead of the right.  Could this "been there...done it and got the T-shirt" crafter possibly have made a mistake...of course not...there are never any mistakes in the crafty word and in a true lightbulb and thinking on my feet moment...here is the very first card especially made with left handed folks in mind....don't know why anyone hasn't thought of this before and if this catches on....remember you saw it here first.

But enough of my waffling...the winner of my give-away is....
PAMELA

Congratulations Pamela...please e-mail me your address and your parcel of goodies will be with you soon

I'm off to get myself all dressed up for a very special birthday party and the good news is...you are invited too...the fun begins at 9.00am so be sure to pop back.

Hugs Kath xxx