Mutiny on board...

Hi folks...there may well be mutiny a-foot on board SS Cubbyhole...Captain Mojo has been sailing along full steam ahead with me tagging along behind...paddling like mad just to keep up and the Furry Cabin Boy playing his usual "I can't be bothered...I'm off for a snooze" card and it's an ill wind and no mistake me hearties...should have known we'd end up slap bang right in the middle of the crafty doldrums...my crafty lifeboat has sailed off into the wild blue yonder and left me adrift in the "can't be bothered to gee my ginger" ocean.
But this old pirate has been there before...it's just the January Blues...nothing to get in a tizzy about...a temporary storm which will blow itself out so we're jumping ship and steering a course for the nearest Desert Island to await rescue. A little birdie tells me that help will soon be on it's way...the good ship Tim Holtz will be sailing soon with the hold laden with lots of new goodies from CHA.
And the Desert Island in question...why it's D.I.Y. land of course.  The joiners will be back at the beginning of February and there's lots of painting to do beforehand...2 coats all the way up the staircase.

hubby has been persuaded to tackle the task but Mrs Steady As We Go has been assigned the job of cutting in and it doesn't look too scary from down below...a different kettle of fish from up top looking down...

time perhaps to brush up on my "walking the plank" skills...luckily I don't have a fear of heights...falling isn't the problem...it's the hitting the ground bit with a thud that's going to hurt and break a leg is certainly not on my agenda. In the meantime it's Friday and time to kick up my heels with the Friday Girls...a movie (The Railway Man) I'm hoping...followed by afternoon tea and no doubt they'll come up with loads of hilarious suggestions for my mountaineering predicament...just what I need to blow away the post Christmas cobwebs.

See you all tomorrow.

Hugs Kath xxx

Dear Mr Blogger...

Hi folks...oh my giddy aunt...Mr Blogger doesn't seem to be having the best start to the New Year...every morning for the last few days he seems to have got out of bed on the wrong side and he's doing my head in...doesn't he know I'm on a mission to tick things of the crafty list and don't have the time nor the patience to sit for hours trying to get him to co-operate.  And any chance of being able to schedule posts whilst I'm missing next week is looking more and more doubtful. The price we pay for technology...it's wonderful when it's working...a nightmare when it's not so I'm counting to TEN and hanging on in there.
You can guarantee that these little irritations always comes in THREES...my old faithful HP printer sadly has gone to printer heaven and the cubbyhole crew are eagerly awaiting the arrival of his replacement from Amazon...I'm a big fan of this giant global company and they've never let me down in the past but I'm a little miffed that the ink cartridges arrived 2 days ago but still no sign of the printer...I realise they were despatched separately but don't they know that one doesn't function without the other and of course we have to factor in another wasted day by the time this old technophobe figures out how it all works.
And irritation Numero Tres has to be that old faithful...the WEATHER...crikey it doesn't seem to know whether it's coming or going...I was convinced the other night that it was going to snow and then to wake up the following morning to positively wall to wall blue sky Mediterranean sunshine makes me think the whole world is going BONKERS and me along with it.
But it's not all doom and gloom in the cubbyhole...the DT stuff for my Craftwork Cards post is in the bag...

all I need now is for Mr Blogger to allow me to schedule it but if he's still in tantrum mode I will be consoling myself with the fact that although the printer hasn't arrived...the TICKETS FOR THE STRICTLY TOUR have...

just goes to show that things are never quite as bad as they seem...

See you all tomorrow

or maybe not if the printer arrives in the meantime

Hugs Kath xxx

I've got a plan...

Hi folks...let's rephrase that...I did have a plan and I would have been chuffer-ooed if it had worked out...however on this occasion it just ain't happening...the projects have been duly snapped and the step-by-steps are done and dusted but the Timmie bits and pieces for this month's tag are still sitting on my workdesk and probably will be for some time.

The possibility that this time next week I may well be doing my citizenly duty sitting at the High Court as one of the 12 men and true...yes the dreaded jury service selection looms and if chosen...there's no knowing when I'll be back in the cubbyhole...I'm assuming the stern faced judge or sheriff as we know him in Scotland will take a dim view of me taking any crafty stuff with me to while away the long hours listening to the evidence so I need to get a wiggle on to nail this month's DT projects...apologies to Tim...but you've just tumbled to the bottom of the pile matey and it's time to delve into the magical box where all the RIBBON GIRL goodies live...

and the gorgeous parcel of DT goodies from

CRAFTWORK CARDS

and then turn all my attentions to prepping for the...

KATH & ENFYS

GREAT BRITISH CRAFT WORKSHOP

at Craftwork Cards Leeds on 25th January...

 which is now sold out...have you booked your space...
I'm so looking forward to a fun day with lots of lovely crafty folks

OOPS...OOPS...OOPS...how did this little peek manage to sneak on here...

See you all tomorrow
Hugs Kath xxx

Enough is enough...

Hi folks...enough is enough...don't know about you but I'm fed up of the whole sneaky peek thing...I decided it was time to have a bit of a break from the Fiskars samples but Mr On A Mission Mojo had other ideas...crikey I've nailed the projects for the January/February/March and April Newsletters {Fiskars will be surprised}and also got a respectable pile of samples for Stitches done...in other words he's been messing with my intentions for a bit of playtime and a kick up my heels session with this month's Timmie Tag and it ain't gonna happen today either...photos to take...a challenge in itself in the "dark when you get up and dark when you go to bed" chilly rainy January weather...not forgetting the big girl knicker job of the dreaded step-by-steps...

I do love my job really...just not this bit but the thought is usually worse than the actual deed so with that in mind...I'm pysching myself up for a "let's get to it...tally ho" session.

We've also had a debris busting session with Mr D and now that he's worked his magic...the cubbyhole is looking all sparkly neat and tidy which is more than can be said for my poor "can't live without" helper...

but it soon became clear this was more than a quick baby wipe job so he's currently luxuriating in a nice hot tub of soapy suds while his filters drip dry...

and if only the clean up operation was that easy when it comes to a certain furry hooligan who took great delight yesterday belly surfing in the muddiest patch of horrible unspeakable gunge but I didn't have time to snap the naughty offender...too busy chasing him around the house armed with his bath towel to try and minimise the devastation of every wall being splattered and did I succeed....fat chance...I may not have mastered Tim's splattering technique but The Furry Boy certainly has.  All I can say is...big thanks indeedy for the wonderful man from Dulux who invented dog proof washable paint.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Mr Mojo's on Fire...

Hi folks..we're firing on all cylinders in the cubbyhole churning out the Fiskars samples at a rate of knots...it looks like the Christmas break has done Mr Mojo the world of good but I just wonder how long he can sustain this fast and furious pace...not that I'm complaining but he does have a habit of downing tools...taking off without permission and leaving me in the lurch...

so the cubbyhole crew are treading on the "being ever so nice "eggshells and treating our star with kid gloves...in fact The Furry Boy's been warned that if he even mentions the mess on the floor...he will be despatched tout suite to the naughty step...

 I'm sure you'll agree it's a small price to pay for adding to the sample pile and more sneaky peeks...

I'm itching to have a go at this month's Timmie tag but I don't want to confuse Mr Mojo...obviously being male he's a bit challenged in the multi-tasking department and a tad prima donna at times which also seems to be a problem that hubby suffers from. I left him yesterday in charge of undecorating the tree...detangling the tinsel and lights and packing away all the Christmas bits and pieces for storage in the garage but obviously the twinkling snowflakes and jingly bells hanging from the family room roof were outwith the limits of his peripheral vision...

Oh boy did he get the hump when I pointed out his omission and now that the step ladder's back in the garage he refuses to unearth it again...there's been a bit of throwing toys out of the pram and much hooing and haaing about what will be a 2 minute job so do I stick to my guns and leave them dangling until next Christmas...will anyone notice or do I admit defeat and just do it myself..it makes you wonder sometimes how MEN in general and this one in particular have survived as a species for so long.

But hey not even this minor irritation can spoil the mood...woohooo I'm one seriously happy happy bunny now that Dancing On Ice is back on the telly...double woohoo...I'll be snuggled up on the sofa watching my favourite skating man...the fabulous Dan for some weeks to come and triple triple woohooo...I'm off to book tickets for the Dancing On Ice Tour in Glasgow...the big question is...will I be able to contain my excitement when I see the man himself skate out on to the ice in person.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Back in the Cubbyhole...

Hi folks...yes finally I'm back in the cubbyhole although I have to admit it was a bit of a kicking and screaming affair but needs must...time and tide wait for no man...deadlines are looming and with a few "off on a jolly" escapes pencilled into the calendar for this month...time to pull on the big girl knickers...look out the Fiskars goodies and crack on...

and for all those of you who are dreading the return to work tomorrow...two minutes in and it feels as though you've never been away...before you know you'll be back in the swing again and in my case the cubbyhole is back to looking as though a tornado has blown through...

 and there are lots of sneaky peeks to share...

but I have to confess I had a little help to get me back in the mood...thanks to Santa the cubbyhole is stocked up again with lots of "when the going gets tough" chocs...

and the promise of a little treat tonight...woohoo...Dancing On Ice is back but I'm off to jump on the hamster wheel again for "fingers crossed" another productive day so toodle-oo for now and I'll see you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge...January

Hi folks...Happy New Year to all our Penny Black Saturday buddies...the first Saturday in January means it's time for a brand new challenge to welcome in 2014...after all the hustle and bustle preparing for Christmas...it's over for another year...I'll be taking down the tree and decorations tomorrow and the house will look so bare without it's festive frippery so what better way to chase away the post Christmas blues and forget about the dreadful weather outside than head for your crafty space...look out your Penny Blacks and come join us over at Penny Black Saturday for this month's challenge...

 "NEW" 

(New Year/Baby/House/Job/Stash)

As always there are fabulous prizes up for grabs from our very generous sponsors...we do hope you can join us and look forward to seeing what you all create.

Stay safe cosy and snug...
See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

InLinkz.com

The Crafty Doldrums....

Hi folks...a bit of a doom and gloom "I'm feeling muchly sorry for myself" post this morning...I've found myself caught in the trap of staying up late watching the goggle box...my normal "early to bed...early to rise" routine has fallen by the wayside...the days of 9 to 5 crafting in the cubbyhole are a distant memory...all because of a "nothing on the box" decision one night to revisit Downton Abbey...starting right back at the beginning of Series 1 and oh boy I'm hooked all over again resulting in marathon "watching all the episodes" from each series in one go late night sessions which if I'm not careful could very easily turn me into a serial box set couch potato watcher.
You realise you have a problem when the early morning strolls are now taking place mid morning...breakfast has become brunch...lunch has become afternoon tea and by the time I'm in the mood for supper...I would normally be heading for bed. The old crafty brain is totally befuddled...not a scooby do what day of the week it is and it's time for drastic measures when the powers of deduction have worked out that if today's Friday...then as sure as night follows day...tomorrow's Saturday and the first Saturday of the month means Penny Black Saturday Challenge and DT card...yes gulp...gulp...gulp 2014 is kicking off with another skidding in by the seat of my pants make and sneaky peek...

Time to pull myself out of the crafty doldrums and get back to the long..long list of crafty things on this month's agenda and I may just have the very thing to fire up Mr Mojo's enthusiasm once again...something guaranteed to get me off the late night wagon and back on the straight and narrow...yes it's time to head back into the cubbyhole and have a little crafty play along with Tim and the first of the "12 Tags of 2014"...

Tally ho...see you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Seriously...

Hi folks...have you all recovered from your New Year celebrations...I'm not sure I have...not that I was partying late into the night nor did I overindulge in the alcohol department...in fact the Furry Boy and his Mum were tucked up in bed just after midnight and almost asleep when World Ward 2 broke out...yes the idiot firework brigade were out in force again...those more money than sense idiots bombarded us for the next 2 hours with explosive bangs that had ME jumping out of my skin let alone my terrified bundle of deliciousness.  Seriously why people are still allowed to buy what is essentially an explosive device and to detonate it wherever they choose never fails to amaze me in this world of "you can't do this and you can't do that" Health & Safety bonkerness.
And they're not the only ones who have got my dander up...before Christmas you couldn't switch on the telly or open a newspaper but you were bombarded with food...food...food...making us all feel our Christmas would be inadequate if we didn't buy X..Y and Z and as usual...fools that we are...we fell for it.  Hence your fridge probably looks like mine...a bewildering jungle of goodness knows what...little parcels of this that and the other wrapped in tin foil...cartons of cream that are now out of date...wedges of cheese despite their origin have all now taken on the "stinky blue with lots of bacteria" Stilton look...left over sausage rolls that even The Furry Boy would turn his nose up at and that's just the tip of the iceberg and talking of icebergs there are 2 of the lettuce variety in the salad drawer that could probably make it to the bin under their own steam...not to mention the cupboard full of Christmas Cakes and other baked goodies or the pile of tempting chocolates that I'm finding rather hard to ignore...

But now our media chums have turned their thoughts to holidays and if we all want to look like beach babes in our bikinis...the time has come to get toned up and lose some weight...REALLY !!!...every newspaper that you open now has the customary "Get Yourself  In Shape" diet for 2014...well fat chance whilst I'm trying to wade through all the food that you persuaded me to buy for my perfect Christmas and hey before you know they'll be back on the bandwagon again tempting us with all those yummy Easter Eggs...we just can't win.
And on an even more serious note...the cubbyhole crew have been struck down by the lazitis virus...all that curled up on the sofa watching endless telly and stuffing our faces has taken it's toll...how can I motivate my little team to get back into the crafty groove and work their sample magic with the new 2014 Fiskars products to be launched at Stitches in February...

when we've been brainwashed into thinking only of  the Christmas food mountain perhaps I need to send out an invitation to the Friday Girls to come and join me in one last huge "all you can eat - demolish the left-overs" party.

See you all tomorrow

Hugs Kath xxx

Happy New Year Everyone...

I'm saying goodbye to the old year filled with memories of

lots of laughter and fun...thankful for friends old and new...

some sad times too

remembering the folks who are no longer in my life

and welcoming in a new year...

who knows what lies ahead but that's why life is never boring and 

with the continued love and support of the ones I love

I look forward to the journey...whether the road be smooth or a tad bumpy...

here's to love and special friendships...

good health..happiness and peace and

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

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

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

2013 was a busy old crafting year and I'm looking forward to doing it all over again in 2014...it keeps me out of mischief most of the time and even more important out of the biscuit tin. A big thank you to all the lovely crafty folks who have joined me for demos and workshops in the last 12 months...to my lovely bloggy buddies and teamies past and present for your love...friendship and support throughout the year and an extra special thank you to the folks who have kept me company here...I wish you all a very happy healthy New Year..step boldly into 2014...follow your heart and may all your dreams come true.

Lots of Love

and special hugs

from Kath & Buddy xxx