Craftwork Cards...Sketch 2 Challenge

Morning everyone....Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there.
Time for another World Cup Fun sketch challenge over at the Craftwork Cards Blog.....all you have to do to enter is make a card following Sketch 2....using any of Craftwork Cards fabulous products...take a photograph and send it to info@craftworkcards.com by Friday 25th June and if your entry is selected as favourite....you will win some yummy Craftwork Cards goodies.    The winner will be announced on Monday 28th June.....good luck everyone.  Pop over tomorrow to see who the lucky winner of the Sketch 1 challenge was.....who knows it might be you.

Papers: Craftwork Cards....Sugar & Spice Collection

In Circle Birthday Messages

I just love this collection of papers....love cutting out the flowers for a bit of 3D work....and you will notice I have been having a little play with my brand new toy....can't believe how well the Janome Sew Mini sews considering the price.....and if you are humming and haaing about getting one....I can highly recommend it.

Had a real fun afternoon yesterday at Simply Create with the nicest bunch of crafty girls....and by the time I arrived home....no way was I getting creative in the kitchen so it was a Chinese take-away and a snuggle on the sofa with the furry boy.....will share some pics tomorrow.

Well it's going to be a real frantic week in the cubbyhole....so much to do and so little time because I am off bright and early on Thursday morning on my travels again...a special treat for little Sis and I...somewhere we have always wanted to go....and are we excited..    Can you guess where it is.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend and hope the weather is kinder where you are.....I am off to look out my woolly vest.....toodle oo for now

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited to add: well the cat's out of the bag.....it's Wimbledon....oh yes and fingers crossed I get to see my absolute Hero....the mighty Federer

Penny Black Saturday Challenge...Week 106

Morning everyone....another week gone in a flash....it's Saturday again and that means it's time for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday ...a big thank you to everyone who entered their fabulous takes on Janneke's sketch last week....it never fails to amaze me the different interpretations you all come up with....fabulous work.   And the old numptie has had to do a bit of a grovelling.....I forgot to mention the prize on offer on last week's Penny Black Saturday post......was it just a memory hiccup or am I heading for that time in my life when I have more senior moments than any other kind.

The challenge this week is

TRAVEL/HOLIDAYS

yes we are now in the middle of June and our thoughts are turning to taking some time off from work and heading off for a nice break away...hopefully with some sun thrown in

I had more than a few senior moments with this challenge....just couldn't think of any Penny Black images in my ever growing collection that would fit in with this challenge....lots of ideas churning around in my head but when it comes right down to the wire and it's late on Thursday night.....utter desperation comes into play so I adapted this gorgeous image by cutting away the cake and all the flowers....

here are my two cute dudes braving the British weather and sharing some yummy cherry bakewells on the beach....and it's definitely a British thing....we are on holiday...we WILL go to the beach whatever the weather

Papers: DCVW cardstock ripped to give that wavey sea effect
and yes it is sandpaper....great for that beachy feel
Image: Penny Black...Hedgehog Birthday Slapstick Stamp
Sentiment: American Craft Cardstock Stickers
Button and Seashells from stash

We have another fabulous prize this week from our brand new sponsors

the lovely Alison & Jayne from

BUTTERFLY KISSES

Penny Black....Baby Hammock

if you attend the Hobbycraft and other craft shows around the UK....you will no doubt be familiar with Butterfly Kisses.....they now have a website where they sell our beloved Penny Black and other stamp sets....the website is still a work in progress and they will be adding more and more stamps as time goes on..in the meantime if you are after a particular stamp....Alison and Jayne will be able to get it for you.

It's your turn now.....time to ink up those Penny Blacks and get into travel and holiday mode....looking forward to popping over for a visit to see what you all come up with this week.  Off to pack up my stuff and get myself ready for my class this afternoon at Simply Create....looking forward to seeing all those lovely crafters once again and having fun.

Hugs Kath xxx

Chat...chat...chat

Morning everyone.....for someone who spends most days all alone in the cubbyhole crafting with only the furry boy for company....not much conversation....he is usually snoozing and snoring his head off... don't get me wrong it is best job in the world...I love what I do and do what I love....but yesterday definitely was the next best thing.....spending time with lovely crafty buddies just chilling out and chat..chat...chatting.
Yes my visitors to the cubbyhole yesterday were my lovely bloggy buddies....Debbi the Queen of all things Promarker and her super cute little missy Faith.....Lyn who lives near me in Westhill and the one and only Anne....yes from Simply Create and if you are a regular visitor to Jacqui's wonderful Aladdin's cave of delicious crafty goodies...you will know Anne...Jacqui's lovely assistant.......they are all just the nicest sweetest girls and we had an absolute ball....sitting outside soaking up the glorious weather.
Debbi had told me that Faith was longing to meet Buddy but I think she got more than she bargained for...probably didn't imagine how big he was and although he has the sweetest nature...he has not yet grasped the social etiquette of greeting visitors....so poor Faith was knocked over quite a few times until his excitement wore off and they became the best of buddies.
Lyn and Anne then arrived and we got stuck into coffee and yummies and doesn't time fly when you are in such good company.....Debbie and Faith set off to have lunch at Grandma's house and the rest of us got our chops round the gorgeous strawberries merinques and double cream that Anne brought....sorry Debbi....and I wasn't sharing the yummy chocs from Lyn...they are just for me to guzzle the next time I am snuggled up on the sofa watching a good film.
Crafty visitors could become my new passion but hey it would be murder on the old spare tyre....but I do suspect that they really came to visit the infamous cubbyhole but because the weather was so glorious....we sat outside all day chat...chat...chatting and only spent about the last 10 minutes in that hallowed place before Lyn had to dash off and do the school run.     I promise that next time that I will lock you all in and you can play until your heart's content.
Boy oh boy all that chatting is a tiring business and by the time The Budster and I returned from our stroll late in the afternoon the weather had turned hot and sticky....we were cream crackered....time for a quick flop on the sofa for forty winks.....how can sitting down and speaking be so exhausting.  And I leave you with a sneaky peek.....made under pressure and at super lightning speed last night.

is that sandpaper you see......well pop back tomorrow and find out

And true to form with our British weather we never get two days the same....the sun has disappeared....it's windy..a little bit chilly and very overcast....so it looks like a cubbyhole day...catch up with you all tomorrow for another fabby challenge over at Penny Black Saturday.

Hugs Kath xxx

Papertake Weekly Challenge

Morning everyone...perhaps you should sit down or as we say here in Scotland..."haud onta yer galluses".....because the shock may be too much for you....I have managed to enter a challenge this week and believe me I am every bit as surprised as you...I just had to have a little play with these gorgeous new blossoms from....yes who else could it be....but the wonderful Hero Arts.     Have also been road testing the latest CD from Funky Hand...Colour Me Happy.... due to be released very soon and I fell in love with this gorgeous gingham paper.....put 2 and 2 together and for a change came up with 4.
So I am entering this card for this week's challenge over at Papertake Weekly which is

ICE CREAM COLOURS

I have never been a big fan of ice cream.....and as a child was regarded as someone with two heads when I refused ice cream....but I do occasionally indulge now and the one I always go for is Neapolitan.....which is also one of my favourite colour combos for cardmaking

Papers: Stampin Up..Soft Suede

Hero Arts...Dots and Flowers

Image: Hero Arts...Delicate Blossoms

Scalloped Circle Nestie

Sentiment: Hero Arts...Heartfelt Messages

Fiskars...Scalloped Lace Punch

Button and twine from stash

The Budster and I are off on our morning stroll before our lovely visitors arrive....little do they know what they are letting themselves in for.....they will be set upon by the furry boy and snuggled within a inch of their lives....and then when he is fed up of all the attention he will doze off and ruin any chance of conversation with his loud snoring.....catch up with you all tomorrow for sneaky peek Friday.....where has the week gone.

Hugs Kath xxx

What's on my Workdesk Wednesday..54

Morning folks and summer has returned to this neck of the woods....turned out a glorious afternoon yesterday so I spent the time out in the garden.....no not sitting on my bum drinking coffee....mowing the lawn and doing a bit of general tidying up......not that I don't have enough to be doing in the cubbyhole but hey we need to take advantage of every little bit of sunshine.....it might disappear again.
Time to play along at WOYWW and share what's on my workdesk today.....a bit of a mixed bag....been busy making some cards for family.....and I just love this Nitwit Collection train...so cute

and of course "The Budster" will need a card for Father's Day on Sunday

and check out my new toy......you'll remember the last sewing machine that I bought from John Lewis went back because it couldn't sew for toffee so I've been doing a bit of research....the old Singer is on it's last legs after 40 years of loyal service....time to retire I think.   The lovely girls over at the Hero Arts Flickr Group recommended the Janome Sew Mini but I wanted to see it in the flesh first...so I took myself to John Lewis and wow was not expecting this.....not a dinky little toy sewing machine.....a proper grown up one and for only £99......I was flabbergasted but will it sew like a grown up.

couldn't wait to get it all threaded up and start stitching.....and yippee perfect zig zag stitch first time...me likey very very much...

and the perfect accompaniment to the new toy......well you didn't think I would spend the whole day on Saturday in Simply Create and not buy anything did you

all I need now is some spare time to play....anybody know where I can buy that

The Budster and I are so excited.....we have some very special visitors coming to the cubbyhole tomorrow for coffee and choccy biccies.....so need to get a move on and do a bit of a tidy up...can't have them thinking I am a messy crafter now can we.....and today is going to be one of those logistically nightmarish kinda days...so much to do and so many places to go...but hey I'm a girl and we cope with these things....just another day at the office.....catch up with you all later.

Hugs Kath xxx

Fun Goings On at Simply Create

Morning everyone.....brace yourselves folks it's time to share some fun pics from my lovely day out at Simply Create.....and once again a big thank you to everyone who took time out to come along and join in the fun and I am not going down the name route because I am great with faces but crap with names....so you all know who you are.....you were all so sweet...a delight to demo for and you made the day such fun....hope you enjoyed it too....and for those who booked up for my class on Saturday...I think we have a full house... fasten your seat belts girls we are going to have a ball.

 "The Lady in Red" in the background is Mrs Simply Create....the lovely Jacqui...and I know what Maureen and Pat are thinking...."hurry up with the photos so we can get stuck into lunch before the crazy crafty shoppers come back" and I have never done a demo day before where the customers got lunch too.... sandwiches, coffee, crisps and yummy cakes for everyone to share....but that's typical of Jacqui's generosity.

 My lovely bloggy buds.....Carolann in the background and Anne with her head cut off...dashing off to avoid the camera

 And here is the star of the show.....the lovely Isabel....and how appropriate is her blog name "Whatgrancunninghamisupto"....well grandkids sit up and take notice....this is what your gran gets up to when she's out and about.....and I knew she was going to be trouble from the word go......"You Talking To Me"

 such a poser and she had me worried when she started to strip off.....this is a family friendly blog but I suppose if you've got it.....flaunt it...as they say

 and this beggars the question.....does my bum look big in this?.....

well tact is definitely my middle name....so I couldn't possibly answer that question

I will leave it up to you to decide whether I had a fun day or not with all these lovely crafters....and believe me folks I have done a few demo days in my time which were like pulling teeth but these lovely ladies made it an absolute breeze.

We are now slap bang in the middle of June and what on earth has happened to the weather....it's freezing here in the north of Scotland...would you believe I have been very naughty and turned on the central heating again.....maybe I should go and look out a nice woolly vest.

Catch up with you all tomorrow for What's On My Workdesk Wednesday

Hugs Kath xxx

A big Toot for the Big Shot

Morning everyone....did I have a nice relaxing day yesterday....did I heck as like.....the idea of snuggling up on the sofa with the crossword and a cuppa went pear shaped....the old brain just couldn't get into gear and I very quickly became bored with that idea.    The demo kit needed tidying away... not my most favourite of jobs....and believe me folks...I should have listened to my instincts and left it for another day when my brain had recovered from all the waffling on Saturday....decided to have a little tidy out and shift around in the cubbyhole...isn't hindsight a wonderful thing....bigga mistake-a to make-a....ended up in the biggest guddle ever....stuff everywhere and finally got finished around 9.30 in the evening ...absolutely shattered...won't be doing that again anytime soon...and there are now spaces folks and you know what spaces mean....so I fear I will have to hide the credit card where I can't find it.
But now it's time to share my mind blowing discovery and I am shouting from the rooftops today....."I LOVE SIZZIX"....now don't get me wrong I am not criticising any of the other Die Cutting Manufacturers being the proud owner of the Cuttlebug and Quickutz....but I have just discovered that the Big Shot is really the big daddy of them all.    I must confess that up until now I didn't often use my Big Shot Express....always seemed to be drawn to my cute little Cuttlebug....but once I got my Tim Holtz Alterations....that has all changed....because this workhorse of a machine will cut through 4 layers of 400gsm cardstock at one time....no kidding

OK it's a fairly simple shape so how will it fare with something a bit more intricate...

it wasn't too happy cutting the flourishes with 4 pieces.....making a bit of a groaning noise so I reversed the sandwich out and removed one piece of cardstock and it happily cut out 3.

By now I am intriqued to try more materials...grunge paper 4 sheets...sticky back canvas 4 sheets....chipboard 2 sheets.....is there no end to this machine's talents.....now I know why Tim chose Sizzix to launch his Alteration Dies...but I bet I am preaching to the converted....you all probably knew this already.    What a time saver for this busy old crafter....I'm going to cut out loads and loads and store them in plastic containers...gone are the "cut one out at a time" days.  I was making some Tattered Floral flowers when I stumbled upon this miraculous discovery after seeing a fantastic tutorial over on my bloggy buddy Carol's blog....you can find the tutorial HERE.....made with Distress Inks and a Mini Mister full of water....and a word of warning you really do need to use the plastic glove as shown in the video....and I am left thinking who needs to be buying Primas anymore.

love the dimension and all that gorgeous sparkle.

Catch up with you all tomorrow but I can't promise any more mind blowing discoveries....maybe just a plain old card.....but definitely some fun pics from my demo day at Simply Create

Hugs kath xxx
Edited to add: sorry folks....I didn't intend to mislead anyone but apparently the Cuttlebug will also cut several layers with the Sizzix dies.....according to Dawn it is the die that is the daddy of them all rather than the Big Shot.....off to give it a try.

Playtime with Tim Holtz & Hero Arts

Morning everyone......I had a great day yesterday at Simply Create....in seventh heaven playing all day with Hero Arts and Tim Holtz Distress Inks......a big thank you to Jacqui for asking me along and for her wonderful hospitality and huge hugs to all the lovely crafty buds who came along and put up with my waffling all day....wow the store was buzzing and I hope everyone had as much fun as I did....you were all so kind and I suspect that I may have been responsible for a good few more Lord Tim of Fabulous Holtz converts....will post some pics later in the week and a special mention for my lovely buddy Anne and her lovely friend Isabel....and yes Isabel you were definitely the star of the show.
I can now share one of the samples I took along to Simply Create but I had a real dilemma on my hands making this......after a mega getting down and dirty session with Tim Holtz Distress Inks....my fingers looked as though I had been chain smoking for 40 years.....and could I get the darned stuff off....made me wonder how the Master of Distress Himself....Lord Tim  gets his hands clean...so I e-mailed him suggesting that he bring out a hand cleaner for all us crafty inky addicts and asking what do I do in the meantime...shampooing my hair seems to work but blimey I can't be washing my hair every 5 minutes....and guess what... back he came within minutes with this....

"hi kath 

we do have a hand cleaner bar coming out at cha-summer....works great!

in the mean time, i suggest a green kitchen scrubbie and some cheap shampoo...does the trick.  thanks"

tim

tim@timholtz.com

hey....he has already thought of my hand cleaner idea....how cool is that....great minds think alike and all that...so off I trotted to the kitchen and got scrubbing just as the Master ordered and of course because the idea came from the Lord Himself....it worked....thanks tim I have now got ink free clean fingers.....and the cause of my consternation...my Home Sweet Home Canvas which I am going to hang in my new boudoir.

I started off with a 10" x 8" canvas I bought from Hobbycraft but you don't have a solid surface for stamping on....so I cut a piece of Sticky Back Canvas slightly smaller...attached it to white cardstock and got stamping....only fixing it to the proper canvas when it was finished.

Hero Arts...K5153 Heart Flourish

S4878....Old Letter Writing

Distress Inks...Antique Linen...Brushed Corduroy...Walnut Stain..Broken China

Tim Holtz Alterations....Tattered Florals...Caged Bird..Hardware Findings

Ribbon and Buttons from Simply Create

Sentiment: Chippie Alphabet....My Little Shoebox Tiny Alphas and rub-ons

Loved making those tattered flowers but such a messy job....so I popped over to Tesco and bought myself some re-usable plastic gloves for next time....saves on all that hand scrubbing and don't you just love that adorable bird die...prepare yourselves for mega birdie cards in the future and he will probably end up as the Christmas Robin on this year's Christmas cards.
Off to unpack the demo kit and would you believe it's raining so it's a "put my feet up and chill"  day with the Sunday papers......catch up with you all tomorrow to share my mind blowing discovery!!

Hugs Kath xxx

Edited to add: To answer Tina's question....the heart flourish has been stamped with Versamark and embossed with Detail White powder.    And a big thank you to all my bloggy buddies from yesterday who have e-mailed to say how much they enjoyed the day...how kind you all are.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge...Week 105

Morning Everyone....it's Saturday once again and that means time to get all your Penny Blacks looked out and ink pads at the ready  for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday......big thank you to all those who joined in the fun for last week's Swirls Challenge and I loved seeing all your wonderful creations.
Before I post my card for this week's challenge... at last I can share the fantabbidosie news that the girls at Penny Black Saturday have been itching to share with you all.....we are now officially sponsored by the one and only.....PENNY BLACK... how cool is that.....

yes the company that makes all the gorgeous stamps that we love so much ....it's a dream come true and we are all mega excited...so there may just be one or two hysterical sounding posts today.
I had a lovely chat on the phone with the owner of Penny Black and they will be providing us with lots of yummy Penny Black stamps as prizes.....oooh you lucky Penny Black lovers are going to be in for a real treat.  I know how much you all love Penny Black stamps....so pop over to the Penny Black website and join the Penny Black Club.....you will then receive a monthly newsletter with all the news from Penny Black about new releases etc...

and check out these sweet little misses...Mimi and Betsy Bluebell will be available for you to buy very soon....aren't they adorable... you can also download all the latest catalogues and leaflets and if you are anything like me....you will be drooling and have a wish list as long as your arm.
It may be some time before I come down off the ceiling but it's time for this week's challenge ....a gorgeous sketch from our lovely teamie Janneke....I know that you all love a good sketch....so am looking forward to seeing all your creations and will be popping over to pay you a visit.

and my card this week should come with a Government Health Warning...

you might be advised to go get your shades before viewing...subconsciously I think I am still thinking about the lovely sunny hot days.....

Papers: WeRMK.....

Image: Penny Black....Micey Day

Buttons: Basic Grey

Ribbon...Fantastic Ribbons

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards

and we have another great prize this week for one lucky winner who will be chosen at random

$20 Voucher to spend at

so pop on over to their online store and feast your eyes on all those gorgeous Penny Blacks

Well that's it from me folks....pop over to see what the rest of the girls on the team have come up with this week.....I will be setting off soon to Simply Create and am looking forward to meeting lots of lovely crafters and having a fun day.....hope yours is just as much fun.

Happy Crafting

Hugs Kath xxx

It's Friday...

Hi everyone....it's me again....congratulations Anesha on winning Buddy's little give-away and I am so chuffed that Anesha won...she is just the nicest girl who regularly pops over and leaves some bloggy love for us both......I will get your goodies off in the post today.    What am I up to today.......first job of the day is getting these inky fingers well and truly scrubbed after days of playing with Distress Inks and then getting all my crafty stuff packed up ready for my demo day tomorrow at Simply Create.....wonder if I should pack my wellies or will the sun decide to put his hat on once again....who knows.
Jacqui has been sharing some sneaky peeks over on the Simply Create blog....so here are some from me of some of the samples I have been making for tomorrow and the reason for the very dirty fingers.

would love to see you there if you live near enough to make the journey........it will be a real fun day working with fabulous stamps from Hero Arts and Distress Inks from Mr Distressing Himself...the one and only Lord Tim of All Things Gorgeousness Holtz...grunge paper and sticky back canvas and you can play along too.   And Jacqui has a special treat for you all....there will be 10% off all Hero Arts Stamps on Saturday and a little birdie tells me that a huge delivery of the brand new Hero Arts stamps arrived yesterday....hotly followed by lots of Lord Tim's goodies.....so please don't all rush out to Alford today and buy everything up....leave some for me....in fact why not wait and come along on Saturday...get your discount and have a play at the same time.
And a little sneaky peek of a workshop I will be doing soon...Jacqui is offering a special discounted rate if you sign up on Saturday.

I have some fantabbidosie news which I will be sharing with you all tomorrow....it's not often I am rendered speechless but this just blew me away so just one more sleep and I can tell all....I am not very good at keeping secrets....so roll on tomorrow before I burst with excitement.

Catch up with you all bright and early over at Penny Black Saturday.

Hugs Kath xxx