Little Mermaid

Hello Everyone, back again after a lovely Christmas.  I do hope you all had a really lovely time with good company, friends and family, good food and drink and loads of wonderful gifts.
Alistair and I spent Christmas Day with Moreen and Damian and all the pets.  It was a lovely day, really relaxing, and I felt that it was the first day since I began my holiday that I could comfortably collapse.  We enjoyed wonderful food, and I relaxed the careful, diabetic diet with the most delicious Belgian Chocolate Tart.

We gave Alistair an astronomical telescope as his gift and he was so excited by it, hadn't a clue what this huge box contained, it was so much fun watching him opening it and then realising what it was.  However, in order to set it all up, he needs lots of space, so he tells me I'm better out of the way, as I would get annoyed with parts all over the floor.  I guess he's right as we have such a small house.

Sadly I didn't get my cushion cover finished, but hope to while still on holiday.

Thank you one and all for the lovely comments left on my last post, I do appreciate each and every one of them and although I've not been posting I've tried to keep up with those of you who have managed to keep crafting.

I've had a break from making cards too, but manged to finish this one in order to enter it into;http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

The theme is "Something New", I decided to use my new LOTV Mermaid stamp.
The papers are Nitwits Promises paper pad, matted on to lilac co-ordinations. The image is stamped on to a Spellbinders Floral Oval die and colours with promarkers metallic markers. Memory Box loopy Rings die, Marianne Creatables flourish die, LOTV sentiment, Hessian, ribbon, pearls and anchor charm from The Ribbon Girl, .flower buds and gems from my box of tricks,  sea shells from Nairn Beach and finally lots of Glamour Dust

My photo is not all that good so apologies for that.  The colour palette is lilac and green but not showing up too well.

Well, folks thats me for now, I don't expect to to be back posting this year so, it just leaves me to wish you all a VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!! and look forward to all your new creations and news in 2013.

Best Wishes,  Kate X

A Very Merry Christmas!!

Good Morning Blogging Friends, I hope you are all well and managing to keep sane in this final run up to the Big Day. 

It's crazy as it comes around every year and yet we all get stressed out by it.  I intend not to, having no car has made me realise that there are things that wont be possible and that's just life.

Anyway, this will be my last post till after Christmas and I just wanted to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas whatever you do and wherever you are and to say thanks for all the wonderful words of encouragement and the fantastic inspiration that you have all given me.  So many wonderful crafty folk who share their ideas and also their kindness.  Here is a little card for you;

And for those of you out there who find Christmas time a bit sad and difficult, for all sorts of reasons, here is a BIG HUG!

Lots of Best Wishes to Everyone   Kate Xxxx

To An Oldie

Good Evening All, and I trust you are all well and have had a good day.
Thank you very much for popping in to read my blog and comment on my cards, I know that everyone is busy just now so I do think you are all marvellous to take the time to do it, and still find time to make cards, boxes, tags in fact all sorts of wonderful creations.

I am on a countdown till my holiday on Friday night and I can't wait to be finished at 9 o'clock.  Friday sees our Christmas Meal for our clients so we are full steam ahead preparing for that.  My self and my colleague Susan are cooking while the others are setting the tables and preparing the room, organising the entertainment, and anything else that needs doing.  We expect around 27 folk.  It's a good day but we are so whacked by the end of it, we can hardly stir ourselves to go home.  Anyway, we will all enjoy having almost 2 weeks off.

I managed a card for you today and it's for my son's birthday in January;

When I saw this LC stamp I immediately thought of using it for Damian's card as he has his own tortoise called Toby who is a little Horseshoe tortoise, and he is also fostering four others over the winter for his friend who has all sorts of wonderful beasties from boa constrictures to bearded dragons.  Nick is the man to whom, the Animal Service,( I've forgotton the name) go to when they have to take exotic animal from people who can't look after them, or, animal which have been brought into the country illegally. Nick is an authority on these kind of animals.
Anyway, the new tortoises are settle in the sun house where they are all cosy, and one of them is 130 years old.  This is such a sad story as he belonged to a very eldery lady who is 93  and now has had to go into a care home and she has not been allowed to keep Tank, yep that's his name.  Tank was brought home by this ladies father when he returned from one of the wars in the late 1800's and has been with the family since this lady was 6 years old, and Tank was a fair old age then.  She has grown up with this wee beastie and she was just in bits when she was told that Tank couldn't stay with her.  But Tank is in a good home, in summer he will go back to Nick and be out in the garden, and both Damian and Nick sneak him in a holdall to visit with his long time friend. Aren't we as a society just cruel at times with our elderly folk!

So, back to my card,  I've sued a LC stamp, sentiment and Promarkers to colour it,Matted on to hunkydory Adorable Scorable card, Background papers are freebies from Making Cards magazine, Hessian from The Ribbon Girl, Xcut dies and buttons from my stash.

So, there we are,  another card made which is thankfully not Christmasy.

I will bid you all good night, and hope to be seeing more of your creations tomorrow.

Kate x

I would like to enter this card into http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/challenge-148-anything-but-square.html
and, http://www.littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/little-claire-monthly-challenge-28.html 

Knitting You Good Wishes!

Good Morning Blogger Friends, I hope you are all well this morning.  We have fog, but it is clearing up now, how,  I hate it, it's times like these I don't miss the car.

Thank you all for the lovely comments on my last card, I always look forward to reading them.

My last day off before the Christmas holidays and I am going to make the most of it by doing nothing, except going to see the Hobbit this afternoon.  I wish I'd managed to read it once again before going to see the film, it's been decades since I last picked up the book, but no doubt the story will come back to memory.

We're meeting friends for a bite of lunch in the Hospice, they have a lovely cafe and then going to the cinema.
Today is the anniversary of my mum's death and even although it's 8 years ago, the memories flood back as if it was yesterday.

This is my card for today;

What a pants photo sorry about that I'm not sure why it's turned out like this, just took the shot as I always do,

That's marginally better,  This is a Sugar Nellie digi stamp and I've coloured it with a mixture of Promarkers Flex markers, watercolour pencils and Promarkers. Background papers are First Edition Desert Blooms, co-ordination card, LOTV sentiment, WO roses, The Ribbon Girl butterfly charm, Memory Box butterfly, corner and trellis border dies, gems and Aurora sparkle glitter.
I think this is such a pretty little stamp and one that could be used for a number of occasions.

I would also like to enter this card into  http://www.sugarbowlblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/challenge-98-fionas-sketch.html

Well Ladies and Gentlemen is there are any out there reading this post, have a good day whatever your doing, wrap up well and I hope your weather is'nt too bad,

Kate x

It's My Party!

Good Afternoon Everyone, and It's been quite a nice day here, dry and sunny.  Alistair has even managed to go for a cycle.  I hope you are all well and having a good weekend.

Thank you for the great comments on my last card, Alistair loves it, he keeps picking it up and looking at it, but hopes that I've not told everyone that he's like Scrooge, as if!!

Well got the decorations up today, I don't do all that much as no one comes, we go to Damian and Moreen, but I feel we should put up something.  I've made Christmas Pies for Alistairs friends and I'm now about to take the card I made for Moreen to give to Damian over to her.

Gosh it isn't half becoming dark now, it's obviously later than I thought.  Well I have a card today but not a new one,

I made this one donkeys ago and looking at what I do now it's quite spars on embellishments.
I'ts a LOTV stamp and sentiment,(I think it's a great image), and coloured with Promarkers, Papers are Papermania, gems and ribbon from my box.  Base card is Hunkydory.

Enjoy the rest of your day,  Kate x

Bah Humbug!

Good Evening Blogger Friends, I trust you are all well, keeping cosy in this really cold weather.  We had snow in Inverness yesterday and rain today so most of it is gone, thank goodness.  Plenty snow on our hills though which is good for the skiing and giving folk work.

Thank you all for the great  comments on my Charlie Chaplin card, I'm pleased you liked it.

Been having a bit of a rest over the last couple of nights from card making and trying to concentrate on the Aran cushion cover that is intended for Damian and Moreen as part of their Christmas gift, well I've taken it back three times and I'm only at the third row of cable, Alistair just keeps talking to me as I'm knitting and I get put off my count, it's not even all that a difficult pattern. Oh well maybe not this Christmas.

I have at last finished my Christmas cards, and this one is for Alistair, here it is;

He'll have a good laugh at this.  I found this wonderful image of Scrooge by Mo Manning and fell in love with it and thought perfect for hubby. He isn't a Scrooge at all, although he does make noises about the cost of Christmas. I just ignore him. He is however a great Dickens fan so I thought this was just the ticket for him.

It's a Digi stamp and coloured with Promarkers, Background papers are both Papermaina and First Edition Vintage Christmas.  Co-ordination card, gold glitter card, sentiment from PC and gems.

I am so pleased to be finished with Christmas cards and looking forward to trying out some new crafty things, not sure what though.  There is plenty of inspiration fro all your blogs so I'll be spoilt for choice.

Thanks for taking the time to look at my creations, I love to read all your comments.

Well, I'm working tomorrow so I think it's now off to bed with my book.

Good Night All
Kate x
I am entering this card into the  I Love Promarkers blog challenge "one for the Boys"

Merry Christmas Everybody!

Good Morning Everyone,  I hope you all have has a good night's rest and are raring to go this morning.  Gosh it's cold here, grass and roofs are pure white, I thought it was snow,just a heavy frost though.

Thank you for all the lovely comments on the star card, it was something a wee bit different for me.

Today's card is a rather different image for Christmas, but it's for our friend Sean, and he is not a conventional guy, so I hope he likes it;

I have used a MO Manning digi stamp and coloured it with pastels and watercolours. Papermania background papers, co-ordinations card and silver mirri. Black square gems, sentiment is a Charles Dickens quote. 

I have no real idea why I chose this image, I meant it for something else entirely but, somehow I rather like it.

Off to work now, have a good day all
Kate x

Star Card

Hello Blogger Friends, how are you all this evening?  has it been cold where you are today?  Inverness was very cold, I don't think the frost lifted from the grass at all.  I am really glad I invested in some thermal vests as I'd forgotten how cold it can be waiting for buses.  Even with the vest I was pretty cols by the time I got in from work.

Thank you all for the lovely comment about the Snowbuddies card and I am so pleased it made you smile and that you liked the wee story.  They guys played a couple of months ago at Alistair's final Munro party, and there were a couple of young folk in the company and they couldn't  believe what they were hearing or seeing for that matter.  It took many weeks of practise to be that bad, but oh how they entertained us.

So my card today  is for Graham,

This is a DL card embossed with a Spellbinders folder, edged with tumbled glass distressed ink.  The stars are Xcut dies and then folded to give 3D effect, edged again with blue ink, sentiment is from LOTV.
Just a simple card. I sort of struggle to find cards for some of our male friends who are on their own, but I think he will like it.

That's all for now, have a good evening,
Kate x

"It's the Snowbuddies plus One"

Good Afternoon Blogland Friends, and I hope that every one is well today.

I missed posting anything yesterday as I had a busy day wrapping parcels and writing out the card.  I felt I should get cracking with it all whilst I had a long week end.  I realised that I also had to make sure that I'd made enough cards, which I hadn't.  I've only two to do now, one for Alistair and one for our friend Sean.  However, what a sense of achievement to have got all the others posted today, and I even learned how to use the self service machine at the Post Office.

It's a short post today, but before I share my card I just want to say thank you for all the lovely comments made on my last card, I really do love reading them and they keep me going, I love peeking into your creative world too, such inspiration to be had on all your blogs.

There is a story behind this card which always makes me smile.  It's for our friend Dougie and he along with my hubby and Simon(Laurie's dad) get together on Monday evenings to play music, nothing serious, Simon being a Cockney, knows lots of funny little songs, and they are interspersed with old time music hall jokes.  The three of them are hilarious, as they argue about whose turn it is, one of them played a bum note or whatever.  And then there's Ken, who sometimes joins in if they are playing at a party and sings the most awful depressing songs, Leonard Choen is cheery by comparison, but it's so funny.  Anyway thats Ken sneeking in at the back, oh and he does lots of sports and has a hat for each of them, he's a hat man.

So I've used a Debbie Moore "Snowbuddy" CD background paper and sentiment also from CD, co-ordinations card and gold glitter card, Marieanne Musical Notes dies, stickels.
I think Dougie will love it, the groups not meeting just now as Simon's heart is not in it, understandably.

That's me for today, enjoy the rest of your,
Kate x

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Good Evening Everyone
I hope your Saturday has be enjoyable, as for me I had an early start into town in order to go carol singing with the Choral Society.  I don't think my voice was at it's best this morning, but I wasn't alone in there were a few croaks.  Anyhow, I think the main attraction was the gorgeous Guide Dogs which accompanied their folk to collect money, this is our chosen charity this year.  They are just so wonderful dogs and although they were strictly speaking working as they all had on their harnesses, people were allowed to speak to them and pat them.  It will be a week or so before the total amount collected is announced, we usually make between £2000-£3000 at the Carolthon.

Thank you everyone who left lovely comments on my last card and also for the kind wishes about my accident.  Both Alistair and I were remarking on just how tired we are today and have come to the conclusion that it's been all the stress of the week.

Anyway I do have a card for you, it's one that's taken me a few evening to make as there was quite a bit to it.  I'm pretty impressed with it especially as I was using a paste thing for decoration.

I've copied the idea from "Creative Stamping" mag.  I've used the Holly Berry Lovers stamp from "Just Inklined" and coloured it with promarkers.  The figures and holly are cut out and put on with foam pad to give a 3D effect.  Around the bridge image I've used White knorr Prandell Deco-Paste.  Memory Box Snowflack Border die, Little Clair sentiment cut out with Xcut dies.  Pearls on the snowflakes Glamourdust for a bit of sparkle. I also used white pen on the berries.

I have to say I love this stamp and I may get the others in the range, they are all scenes and the card examples in the mag have been created by Jak Heath who is one of their designers.

Well, thats my contribution to Blogland tonight,  enjoy the rest of your evening,

Kate x

Huge Hugs!

Good Evening All, and thank you everyone who left messages on my last post, they are very much appreciated and I look forward to reading them.
I have been following what you all have been making and have just been delighted by all the gorgeous cards and paper projects I've seen.  Tremendous talent out there.

I've not managed to do much crafting or posting this week as it's been quite a difficult few days as I had a car accident on Tuesday whilst driving to work.  A huge TNT truck collided with me on the A9. I've never been involved in an accident before and my brain went into meltdown.  Both myself and the truck driver were unhurt physically, although I have had a sore chest, which may be the result of the seat belt or having twisted myself, but I was so shaken by it all and I've been in shock.  Absolutely horrendous.  There were new road works where a slip road onto the A9 is and I momentarily got confused by all the cones, the two lanes had become on and there was no slip road, and although I stopped, I then pulled out and the next thing I knew this almighty bang and this huge truck sending me across the road.  I have been very lucky, a moment slower and it would have been my door that would have been hit instead of the wing, wheel and the front. The other driver was a really lovely man, who also hadn't been in any accident either, he was pretty shaken too, but he stayed with me until Alistair arrived.

I still seem to be having sort of flashback and I know I'm not emotionally OK, and Alistair keeps saying it's only a car, but as I am totally responsible for it happening it all constantly goes through my mind.  Anyway, the car got towed away, no way was it drivable, but word today that it can be repaired.  Whether I will managed back behind the wheel is another thing altogether.

But life is difficult without the car, getting to and back from work, shopping etc, i didn't realise how dependent I was on it.
However, I have a card for tonight;

I've made this card for Laurie, I've no more news regarding him just now, so I'm hoping he still continues to progress.

I've used a LC stamp, it's this months club stamp, coloured with Promarkers LOTV sentiment, Papermania paper and co-ordination card and gems.
I have no idea why I chose to use this stamp other than the little dachshunds are such cute little dogs and quite plucky wee things.

Well I hope you all have a great weekend whatever your doing.  I'm singing with the Choral tomorrow in the Eastgate shopping centre, it's our Christmas Carolthon where we sing all day and collect money for our chosen charity which is Guide  Dogs for the Blind this year.  I'm in the first group at 10am so I hope I can find my voice.

Night all, Kate x

Forest Friends

Good Morning All and I hope you all had good sleeps, for me it wasn't too bad, at least 5hrs. Oh but it's cold this morning and looking out of the window I can see the ground is covered in frost, thought it was snow at first, but no just a heavy frost.

Thank you to everyone who left such lovely comments about my Boofle card.  Do you know, I can't remember how I made him, I'm no use at these fancy fold cards.

Anyway, today's card is another Christmas card;

Sorry the photo is not good, all the enhancing hasn'te helped.
This is a Sugar Nellie digi stamp coloured with Promarkers, stamped on to an Xcut die shape then glitter card. LOTV christmas paper, WO flowers, Anita ribbon and sentiment, Festive candy and a Ribbon Girl heart shaped gem.  Star dust Stickles.

I am entering this card into; http://www.sugarbowlblog.blogspot.co.uk/
The Theme is "A Winters Tale"

Breakfast now, and then getting hubby down to the dentist before I go to work.

Have a great day whatever your doing, but wrap up well,
Kate x

A Caroling We Will Go

Good Morning Everyone, and what a bright, crisp morning it is.  Very cold though no snow as yet, only on the hills.  Thanks to every one who left comments on my last post and especially for the kind words for Laurie.

This will be a short post today, I'm off to work in a wee while so need to go and make myself presentable.
My card today is a bit different from usual and made yesterday at my local craft shop in Howdens.  there was to be a Docrafts demo but the demonstrator couldn't make it and Docrafts still sent out info so folk turned up.  The manager decided to to a make and take as an apology and here it is;

Way out of my comfort zone here, it was a mathematical challenge, but with Lesley's help it turned out well. I've got it sitting out, won't give it away as I rather like it.
It was made from Boofle Decoupage and other bits from the Boofle range.

Have a good day everyone and remember to wrap up well,
Kate x

Hush Little One Sleep

Hello Everyone, are you all well?  Hoping you are.  It's been a really cold day here in Inverness and it seems as if the temp is still dropping, I've been forced to put the hall heater on, I've been trying to do without, but it's difficult to be economical when your cold.  Goodness knows how some folk are going to manage this year if it's a severe winter with the hike in energy prices.

A thank you to all who visited and left comments on my last blog.

I've a little news about our friend's son's condition.  I can give his name now, it's Laurie and he has had two skin grafts and they seem to be taking, however now there is a fear of infection.  There are some parts of his body, waist and legs that have 4th degree burns.  I had to look that up as I had never heard of that degree,  I wont go into it but it is worse than 3rd as you can imagine. I just can't begin to get my head around what this lad is going through.

The attackers have been in court and have been charged with wreckless behaviour, I just can't remember what else but, it's something that is just nonsense and they won't even get community service.  I't really makes me wonder what sort of society we are living in.  however Laurie is is staying strong and that is the main thing.

I have a card for you today, it's another LOTV stamp;

I think this is such a sweet image and I've coloured it in using pastel pencils, sentiment is one that goes along with the stamp, backgrouns papers are First Editions Desert Blooms.  Spellbinders die for stamp and Xcut for semtiment.  WO flowers, The Ribbon Girl ribbon and Papermania gems. I've used pastel shades throughout.
I am entering this card into http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  
The theme this week is "Pastels".

So that's me for today, almost time to go and fix dinner.  Off out to cimema tonight to see the new Great Expectations film.  Mind you it's too cold to go out, but maybe a brandy would help.

Have a good evening,
Kate x

Puss IN Boot

Good Morning Fellow Blogger,  I hope you have all had a good night and are feeling recharged, refreshed and raring to go.  I'm not yet, another poor sleep but at least it's my day off so I can go at my own pace.

I would like to welcome my new blog follower Rita, it's lovely to have you on board, and yet another new inspired blog for me to visit..I was delighted when I noticed I had a new follower, I have now 15 but, that includes me, somehow I clicked a button and ended up following myself, how daft is that.

Thanks to all who have left comments on my last post, and especially for the well wishes. It really does mean so much.

My card for today is using a lovely little stamp from LOTV that I'd forgotten I had,

The sentiment is also from LOTV. i've stamped the image on to card die cut using  an Xcut die, co-ordination card, coloured with Promarkers, Memory box corner die, ribbon and gems from my stash.  Boot polished with Glossy Accents.

This card is not for anyone in particular at the moment, however I'm entering it into http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/ 
145 Challenge "Anything Goes"

I hope to get some more cards made today as I've treated myself to some lovely new stamps from Just Inklined.

Have a lovely day everyone whatever your doing,
Kate x

My Snowy Friend

Good Evening Blog Friends I hope you have all been well.  I have been so tired over the last few days, I've not been doing much except working, so I've given posting on my blog a miss.  I have though attempted to keep up with what you all have been making. Glad I managed that because there are some beautiful card been shown.
Thank you too for everyone who took time to visit and leave a comment it's very much appreciated.

Since the weekend I have been exhausted, I think the weeks of very little sleep has finally caught up with me and I know that I'm in trouble when I begin to feel weepy and concerns seem insurmountable and not a little stressed, but I have only another day to work and then off for a couple of days.  So I have not managed to get many cards made.  I was up very early this morning and started to put a card together with a stamped image that I had coloured a couple of weeks ago and finished it earlier this evening, here it is;

It's a lovely Sugar Nellie stamp called Flakie, coloured with watercolour pencils.  Iv'e stamped on to a Spellbinders heirloom ornament die.  papermania background papers, I think they are from the Boofle selection, blue glitter card, Frosty Forms dies, XCut star dies and Spellbinders Snowflake dies. LOTV sentiment and stickles sparkle.
I think its such a cute little image,  I hope you like it.

I'm begining to feel it's time for bed, I keep making spelling mistakes, so I'll say Good Night and hope you all have one.

kate x

In To The Wind

Good Evening Everyone, I hope you have had a good weekend, it goes to quickly!, thanks to everyone who were kind enough to visit my blog and leave lovely comments, it's great to read them. I've spent some time catching up with what you've been doing and what lovely projects there are. It's great to be able to visit your blogs and learn new things, see what is being used and how to use them, finding new crafting outlets, and of course building wishlists.

Our concert was a great success last night, probably three quarters of Eden Court filled, it hold 800, so that was good.  The adrenalin buzz when the safety curtain rummbles up is just fantastic. In all my years with the Choral I've still not lost that feeling. We sang well, I managed not to make any mistakes like coming in at the wrong bit, feeling a bit ambitious when trying to hit a very high note, missing it and screetching.  There were some very high notes in the Mendelssohn, completely off the staffe.  The orchestra and soloists were marvellous.  Oh but I was exahusted by the end of it, and today have had a fairly quiet day.

We got a text from our friend to say that his son has had his first skingraft op and that it seems to be taking well.  What a relief for them all that they have been able to start so soon and that there is somewhere for the surgeons to graft from.  it was either the chest or the head and the lad chose his head as he felt that his hair would grow back in.  Bless him, he's really fighting through it.  A very breave young man.

I don't have a new card tonight, but I found one I made way back in the earlier part of the year, here it is'

It's from Joanna Sheen's Thomas Kincade Decoupage kit.  I found some purpley blue pearlesence paper for the background and vanilla card that matched parts of the sky to mount the image on to. Glossy Accents on the water whre the ship makes waves, and I think the sentiment is a Hunkydory one.
I was rather pleased  with it even although I had to cut out all the decoupage pieces, and it make a great card for my brother-in-law.

I'm off to do a wee bit of knitting now, so I'll say good night,
Kate x

Happy Christmas To You

Good Evening Everyone, and I hope wherever you are that you haven't encountered this awful weather and that you and yours are safe and dry at home.

We have had a blustery day here, not too much rain thankfully.
Thank you everyone for all your lovely comments on yesterdays blog, I love to get them. A thank you also for Wendy and Annette you have given me information on how to do linky things.  We'll see if I can indeed manage to follow their very clear instructions.  I'm not the best at IT and I think its the language that beats me.
I treated myself to a new Spellbinders lattice die today, and was really pleased that it cut quite well, sometimes they don't even although I rub it with the tumble drier sheet and use parchement paper.

So to my card of today,

I've used this little stamp before but in shades of red, this time as you can see I chose blue.

LOTV stamp,sentiment and  background papers, coloured with promarkers, Glitter card, Memory Box Snowflake corner die, Spellbinders Lattice die, gems from Papermania, and ribbon from stash.

I think she's turned out quite well.
I am entering this card  into two challenges;  http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ "Anything Goes"
and I Love Promarkers Challenge Blog "Singing and Dancing"

Thats me for tonight, still to sort out my music for tomorrow, better get cracking,
Good Night, Kate x
                          

The Snowman

Good evening All, Hoping that everyone is well and had a good day.
I'm a wee bit late with today's post, got caught up watching the last episode of The Hatfields and McCoys.  I've been watching this faithfully for five weeks, and I'm now wondering why. The biggest lot of American codswallop if there ever was.  Two inbred clans, in th 1800s who have killed one another in a stupid feud and are now part of American folklore. There was a few really good British actors in it, oh well, maybe they needed the job.

Thank you all very much for all the lovely comments on my last post. I have no further news about our friend's son, I don't like to phone too often.
I've enjoyed looking at what you have all been creating, some fantastic projects out there, just goes to show the amount of creative talent there is.

My other friend has been entertaining us with her experience at the Baffta Awards, and who she saw and met. Quite a few funny stories as well.

I am off work now for three days, wonderful.  So tomorrow apart for a bit of housework, I need to prepare myself for the Choral Society's Concert at Eden Court Theatre on Saturday.  I only looked out my concet dress this morning, thankfully it only reqires a bit of ironing, but I will have to make sure my music is marked out. At the last rehearsal I somehow managed to loose my place and got completely confused with where I was supposed to be singing.  There is thankfully a dress rehearsal on Saturday, although that is more about the orchestra and soloists as that will be the first time we all come together.  It will be alright on the night as they say.

Anyway here is my card for tonight, my penultimate Christmas card for my chior buddy Fiona, she adores The Snowman;

I have to say I love The Snowman too and this is from a Crafter's Companion Kit and I've added snowfall acetate, a bow and some icicles stickles and a couple of liquid pearls.  I'm sure she will like it.

I'm bushed now, time for bed, so Good night all,
Kate x

Sparkle and Shine

Good Evening Everyone, I hope you are all well today.

I would like to thank everyone who left such lovely comments yesterday for our friend's son.  I spoke to him tonight and the lad has gone through another 8hr. skin graft op.  He is being very brave, but the pain is awful  as my understanding is that they can't completely sedate him, something to do with organ failure.  His mum is with him and dad is trying to keep things going at home and as far as possible keeping as the days as normal as they can be at this time. Hopefully, each day will bring an improvement.

Also thank you for the comments on my card.

Today, brought some good news; another friend's son won a Baffta, albeit a Scottish one, the other night.  It was for the best animation.  He is a fantastic artist, which clearly shows through this award.  he only left Art College a year ago. His mum and dad were there to see him get the award, and as you can imagine they are oh so chuffed.  So where will he go now I wonder!.  Isn't life strange, two families, who by  the way know each other, children at same school, and one on top of the world and the other's world has crashed about them.

My other news is that I have won the I love Promarkers Challenge "Christmas Trees".  I'm just amazed that I did as I never think that my cards never come anywhere near all the fabulous cards that are entered into these challenges.  I do however enjoy doing them if I've got the right bits in order to do them.  Here is tonights card,

I am entering this into the Sugar Bowl Challenge and the theme is Sparkle and Shine
I've used a lovely little fairy stamp from Sugar Nellie, Digi.  Coloured with a mixture of pastel and watercolour pencils. LOTV sentiment, Nitwit backing papers, co-ordinations card, Xcut dies, doily from Lakeland, Papermania gems and a sparkley gel pen. Glitter card for the stars.  The colour shades of lavender, lilac and purple. not showing up too well here.

We'll see if this one's a winner, all good fun though.

Have a good night all, Kate x

Thinking of you

Good Evening Everyone, didn't mean to be this late but got home much later than planned from work, then had to see about a meal, so here I am at the back of 9 o'clock.

Anyway I hope you are all well and that you've all had a good day.  My day has been filled with thoughts of friends whose teenage son was horribly attacked at the weekend, a horrible, evil attack which now sees him in the burns unit at St. John's in Livingston.  We are trying to get our head round it, his poor parents and sister and brothers are just in bits. It's so awful. It makes you wonder what kind of society we are living in.  I believe that the attacker was caught, that is something.

I made this card to send to the family, couldn't think what else to do and it's way too soon to go and see the lad.  I fear it's going to be a long, painful  haul in recovery;

It's just simple card, and I always think a lighthouse always symbolises hope for though in danger. I hadn't realised that I have used this image quite a few times for cards when I want to send hopeful messages. Never thought that when I bought it that It would get used in this way.

Thats me for tonight, Kate x

Bring us some Figgy Pudding

Good Morning All, early today, thought I would get this done before getting off to work. Have to say it doesn't seem all that long since I went to be, not a great night really, have listened to the rain for a good few hours during the night. Something tells me i'm going to be not fire in all cylinders today.
Anyway my card today is another LOTV creation;

LOTV die cut Papermaina boofle background paper, co-ordinations card, LOTV sentiment, music own, lots of star dust Papermainia pearls, The Ribbon Girl red ribbon.
Entering this card into Lillies Little Fairies Challenge.

Have a good day whatever your doing
Kate x

Woodland Fun

Good Morning Fellow bloggers, It's a fine Sunday morning here, blue skys and sunshine but oh so cold. Thats the good news, the bad, is that I'm working later on.  How I hate it, so I thought I would do my post early rather than tonight.

Thany you for your comments on my last card, taking the time to look at my blog is really appreciated and I always love looking at what you are all doing.  I learn lots of new ways to do projects and have some wonderful inspiration.

Here is the other card I made for the order;

I've used very different colours on this one, but I think it works quite well.

LOTV stamp and sentiment, coloured with Promarkers, LOTV Kraft pad of papers, gold mirri, Spellbinders snowflakes, adorable scorable card and a Hunkydorry blank card, lots of frosting and glitter.

I really like this stamp and it was fun to colour in, as long as Caroline likes them though.

Off now to get ready for work.  Hopeing you all have a great day, whatever your doing.

Kate x

Christmas Scotties

Good Evening Folks, I hope Saturday has been a good one for you.  We have had a beautiful, sunny day here in Inverness although really cold, but fine if you'd wrapped up well.

Well, I am delighted with myself, I've only gone and made top 3 at the Little Claire Challenge, I am so chuffed, I can hardly believe it.  All the more pleased beacuse they are one of my favourite stamp companies.
Didn't win the prize of goodies, but I got a blinkie.

Thank you one and all for the lovely comments about my last card, I always appriecate them.

I managed to get a couple of cards made today that a friend had ordered, had to be cats and dogs, here is one of them'

I have used a Little Clair Stamp coloured with Promarkers and coloured pencils, LOTV sentiment, LOTV background paper, green co-ordinations card, Spellbinders scalloped circle, papermania glittered brads, glitter and ribbon.  I think this is such a cute little image.

I am entering this card in the Little Claire Christmas Challenge

 Off now to watch a bit of  TV before bed
Good Night, Kate x

Frosty and Bright

Hello Everyone and I hope your Friday has been a good one and that you've managed to do all that you wanted.  Thank you for all your lovely comments on my last card.
Well. I planned to do not much today and I've acheived just that. I have managed to make a card, another Christmas one, this one is for Kerr, our friend's little grandson. I have only one other special one to do and that's for my hubby and I'm still wondering what to do for it.  So here is tonights offering,

I have used a Mulberry Wood stamp from Crafter's Companion and coloured with Promarkers. Sentiment is from the same stamp set.Little Claire blank card and LOTV background papers, Papermania Frosted velum, blue glitter card, Spellbinders snowflake dies, Papermania gems and stickles icicles.

I am also entering this card in the I Love Promarkers Challenge. "Christmas Trees"

Good Night, Kate x

Glad to be Home

Good Evening Fellow Bloggers and I hope all is well with you.

I have finished up tonight for a couple of days off and as usual I'm whacked as I've workied 2 9hour days this week. I'm a little too tired to get much crafting done.  I'm hoping to perhaps get down to it tomorrow.  I'm planning a quitet couple of days.

 I haven't a new card for you tonight, this one I made for my friend Dale's 60th earlier in the year.  She adores poppies.
I've used a Sheena Douglass Stamp and coloured with promarkers. The background paper is from a Flowersoft CD, flowers are from MCS Flower Expert CD, and bits and pieces from my bits box. Dale loved it, I hope you like it.

I'ts a good night from me,  Kate x

Princess Zelda

Hello Everyone, I hope you are all well.  Thank You for all the lovely comments left on my last blog.

I've been catching up with all your creations and what lovely cards you are all making.  Wendy's milk cartons are fab too. I find looking at your blogs so inspirational.

Wilma (scottishcrafter), I've managed to put the liebster award on my side bar, and will try and award it to 5 other crafters.  So thank you once again.

This isn't going to be a long post tonight, I'm bushed, I was working late tonight, a 9hr. day and we are still short staffed. Honestly I think they are trying to finish me off. So anyway once I've done this it's off to bed.

I downloaded a Saturated Canary image, my first one and thought I would give it a go having seen quite a few made in to wonderful cards especially by ladies who are on design teams. Well, I'm not too sure about it, see what you think

I think this is maybe a bit OTT, I'm also not sure why I like these images. Anyway, this is Princess Zelda and just what she is holding in her hand I'm not too sure, but it might be a paint brush, but there again it might be a wand.  I wanted to colour in quite dramatic colours so I've chosen green and purple. Matted onto embossed green card Memory Box corner and border WO flowes and LOTV sentiment. Lots of sparkle. Oh and the base card is one from a range from Hunkydory I bought last year.

That's me then, good night all, Kate x

Monday again, but not at Work

Hello Everyone and how are you all today, well I hope.  Thank  you for the lovely comments on my last blog, I love to read them.

We had a lovely evening at our friend Sean's birthday dinner last night, wonderful food and Bunchrew house is such an impressive venue.  Really old apparently, goes back to 16th century and belonged to Mackenzie and Fraser clans.  Quite atmospheric.  Anyway, we were a small gathering only 12 including our host and Alistair and I only knew one other person, but Sean had mixed us all up at the table putting us beside people whom he thought would gel, and we did, conversation flowed and as it was a large round table we all felt connected.  Very clever of him and he had a ball, he just thought it was great having so many friends there to share is special day, I thought it was very touching.

Thank you Wilma for giving me the Leibster Award and I will forward it on, although I am not too sure how to do it and, I don't know if I know all that many people.My blog friends are all your blog friends. Nevertheless it was lovely to be thought of and I will try my best.

This is my card for today, just a simple one made for a friends Silver Wedding Anniversary, as you can see.

I've used a LOTV stamp and coloured it with promarkers, sentiment made on PC, matted and layered onto an embossed card, a bit of a flourish, though i can't remember from where and some little silk rose buds I found in a charity shop.

That's me for today, I'm off to see about dinner and then it's choir practise

Yipee it's Saturday Night!

Well hello Fellow Bloggers I hope your day has been a good one whatever youv'e been doing.  Thank you as always for the lovely comments on my last card.

I am so glad to have reached tonight, what a long week it's been and I really thought I woudn't make it, there were some days I felt quite unwell with tiredness, but I managed to keep going.  I will have a quiet day tomorrow, don't plan to do much.  We have although been invited to a friend's 60th party, which is being held in Bunhcrew House, a very posh place, tomorrow night.  I believe it's a dinner and there will be only about a dozen folk, I am delighted to be invited.  Sean is really Alistair's friend, and such a lovely guy, I will be a good night.

Talking about friends, our friend Graham made this for me, isn't it fantastic, he has been learning how to

do origami and he thought I might like his latest creation.  I can't begin to work out how he's done it.  Graham has used an OS map. I just has to put it on here for you all to see.

Now my humble creation tonight is a card I made earlier on this year,

It is a lovely stamp by Hunkydory and coloured with promarkers, embossed co-ordinations, marieanne Die flourish, papermania flower, bits and pieces from my box of tricks. It's a cute little cat, reminds me of Cuillin.

Anyway, I've been reading on your blogs that at least a couple of ladies have fantastic husbands who buy them early Christmas prezzies of computer based die cutting machines.  Fantastic for you, there will be many wonderful cards going on show soon.  I too have a gem of a hubby, he made the dinner tonight and has just washed up the dishes and pots, and that's just what I needed.

Good night, Kate x

Still Another Day to Go!

Hello Everyone, hope you are all well and have had a good day and heading into a good weekend.  My weekend won't begin until tomorrow at 5o'clock and boy am I looking forward to it, I just can''t work out why I am so tired this week, not to worry though I've almost made it and I'm looking forward to a lovely two days off.

Thank you all very much for your lovely comments on my last post, I look forward to reading them.
This is just going to be a short post from me tonight as I am going to put my feet up and enjoy my evening in to watch all the rubbish I can find on the telly, I need to sit and vegitate after the day I've had at work, did I mention I work in mental health, I sometimes fear I might become one of my own clients. Anyway here is my card for today;

I an going to enter this card into LOTV Little Fairies Challenge, All things Bright
The stamp is of course from LOTV as is the sentiment. Spellbinders embossing folder on blank card which is from Little Claire, free papers from Making Cards Magazine, co-ordinatitions card and gold mirri, pearls and ribbon from stash and coloured with Promarkers.

I think she's  awfully sweet and I  think her name is Maisie or Millie can't quite remember, so we'll see how this one does in the competition.

Have a lovely evening,  Kate x

Could do with some more sleep!!

Well here we are another day dawns, Good morning to you all, especially to Hazel, it was lovely to recieve your comments.  Thank you to everyone who left comments, it's great to read them and most appreciated.

I am incredibly tired this morning, I think my extra shift the other day is now catching up, definately not firing on all cylinders today. I've got to keep going until Saturday then I've got 2 days off.  Getting too old for this working lark.

So my card today is one I made a while ago with one of my first LOTV stamps and I thought it would suit the theme of this weeks Promarker Challenge which is PINK, here it is;

Quite simple not a lot to it, but a very pretty stamp and I enjoyed colouring it in.  It is matted and layered with bits and pieces from my stash box.
Thats, me for now, off to get some breakfast and start the working day. Enjoy your own day whatever you do,   Kate x

Another penguin Card

Good Morning Everyone, hoping you are all well today.

I didn't manage to post yesterday but did catch up with what others had been making and what lovely cards there were. Such talented folk out there.

I ended up having to work late as a colleague was off sick and it was our late  night opening so by the time I got home I was too whacked to do very much.  We are in a state of change at work and it is very challenging for everyone and there is also quite a bit of sickeness and really low moral.  Truth be told we are all exhusted, but our new area manager who doesn't come from a social care background and is really a bean counter doesn't really care.  Well that's the way of the world now,  that's my moan for today, I'll shut up and get on with it.

My card today is the same image as the other days card, little penguins but this time Iv'e made it to entre The Sugar Bowl Challenge, so paid particular mind to the layout and colour pallet,

Again not a great photo,Alistair is away with the camera and this is from my phone.

I've used; 8x8 card, papers are all from making cards (freebies), digi stamp from Sugar Nellie coloured with Promarkers, Co-ordination mustard and black card. Spellbinders oval shape die coloured with distressed ink, WO flowers and blue pearls, the sentiment is from the free papers too, and a little bit of glitter.
The colours chosen are mustard, blue, black and vanilla, trying  to keep to the stated colour pallet with what i already had in my promarker selection and papers.
I hope this does.  I found doing this card quite fun trying to match everything, but that's what it's all about isn't it, Fun.
Thank You  everybody who commented on my last post I really do love reading them.  Have a good day whatever your doing and will catch up with you later,
Kate x

It's Monday Again!

Yes it's come around again, Monday, and back to work.  Where does the weekend go it's the quickest two days of the week, especially if youv'e had a lovely one.

Anyway Hello to you all and thank you for the lovely comments on my card and also for your kind wishes for our celebrations.  We had a lovely meal out at The North Kessock Hotel last night, had never been there at night before only lunchtime in the summer, but I would highly recommend it if anybody is coming to Inverness, or indeed if already here to try it out.  Now I don't really eat more than two courses, can't manage much more now,but I really went for it last night and ended up with the lightest, most delicous sticky toffee pudding and toffee sauce I've ever had.  Not recommended for someone with diabetes, but hey ho, it was a special day, only thing is it will take around three days to get the blood sugars under control again.
Alistair loved his card and has had a lovely birthday.

So my card for today is a cute little digi stamp from Sugar Nellie;

Just new to these stamps and they are by a Scottish company too, so need to use and promote them.
Sentiment is LOTV, as is background paper, coloured with promarkers, Memory Box corner die, green glittered card and red co-ordinations, ribbons and gems from my stash.
This card was supposed to be for a challenge but, discovered that not only had I the wrong shape but, the wrong colours too.Will have to go back to the drawing board.

That's me for today, I'm off now to choral practice, never feel like going in these cold winter nights, but once there the music is uplifting and I know then why I force myself out the door.

Have a good evening, Kate x

A Lovely Relaxing Sunday

Hello Fellow Bloggers and hoping your Sunday is relaxing.  Thank you for the many lovely comments on my last card they are much appreciated.

Today has been quite a lazy relaxing day which is nice as it's our wedding anniversary, and not doing much is good.  We are however going out for dinner later on and really looking forward to that as we have not been to this restaurant begore, but have heard good things about it. I will miss the last of Downton Abbey though, must try and catch up on the Iplayer at some point.

Tomorrow is Alistair's birthday and he is getting excited about that, heis like a big kid, this is the man who tells me he can't be bothered with it all, Not I think.

Anyway, I don't have a new card made, I'm in the middle of doing one but here is one I made for an 18th birthday for a girl who loves horses:

On a black card I've matted silver and purple card, purpley-blue glitter card stamped image is from the Gorjuss range coloured with promarkers, inked around the edges. with dark blue ink,  black ribbon and flowers from WO, black peel offs, LOTV sentiments.

That's me for today, Kate x

Sports Widow Once Again

Good Evening Everyone, I hope you are all well and looking forward to the weekend, I know I am, it's our wedding anniversary on Sunday and we celebrate 17 years. One of my clients asked me today what has been best about those years and I shocked myself by replying that I had out lasted the first Mrs. Currie. I don't know where that one came from, but my client thought it was really funny. Anyway, I have and I will be eternally grateful to her for not wanting Alistair, she went on to marry a man with a couple of million, but I got one who makes me laugh, and he is one in a million. It is also Alistair's birthday on the 5th, so it's a double celebration.  I have a singing workshop with the choral society tomorrow and they are always such fun and off to see the new Bond film in the evening, I just may gert some crafting in too. However I have the house to myself as Alistair is away to the climbing wall at the local sports centre, great I can watch all the rubbish telly whilst cardmaking.

Thank you too for all the lovely comments on my last card, and a special thanks to Wendy for the helpful info on taking photos and I will certainly look at the picmonkey site.  Unfortunately tonights photo is not great, seems to have attracted quite a lot of reflection because of the silver and acetate.  My card tonight is Moreen's Christmas card for Damian and my instructions were Reindeers, here it is;

Nearly everything is from Hunkydorry's Elegant Christmas which I bought last year and have lots left. I've used their snowfall acetate on front and decorated it with papermania's stars and snowflakes peel offs, the personal sentiment is made on my PC.  I hope this is OK and that they both like it.

So that is me for tonight, have a lovely weekend what ever your doing ,Kate x

A Productive Thursday Evening

Good Evening All and thank you for the lovely comments about Moreen's card. They are very much appreciated and I look forward to receiving them.

I have had the house to myself tonight so I thought I would manage to get a card made, Alistair and a pal have gone to the swimming pool in Nairn to learn how to capsize a canoe and get into it again, Just how these men love to play!!  He's only been canoing for around ten years, however I guess it's important to learn these things.

This is just a short post tonight as I'm fairly whacked having had quite a stressful day at work but I wanted to get this card made as I want to enter it into LOTV Little Fairies Challenge for this week.The theme is"Snow is Falling"

I really must get one of these things that help you take a good photo, I think they're called a PHOTOGRAPHER!!!!
Anyway I used:   LOTV die cut topper Snowy Town, matted onto silver mirri, on to purple co-ordinations
background paper is from Wild Rose Studio, Bella paper pad,Spellbinder snowflakes, Memory box corner and LOTV sentiment, glittered and gemmed.

Hope you like it,  Good Night,  Kate x

Up with the lark

Good Morn ing Blogger Friends
Here I am up with the lark in order to go to work, I've had such a wonderful holiday that I don't want to return to the daily grind. So I haven't much news since I last posted but I thought I would do this one early as I sat and made a card for my son to give to his partner for Christmas, this is it

I've used a Mulberry Wood stamp from Crafters Companion, coloured with promarkers, Papers from Papermania and gold glitter card, Wild Orchid flowers, sentiment from stamp, Memory Box lattice die and corner dies, Spellbinders flourish die, and lots of sparkle.

I hope Damian likes it enough to not have to go out at the last mimute and buy Moreen one as he usually does, and of course I hope Moreen likes it too.

Off to get myself some breakfast now and put my happy face on, have a good day all whatever your doing and be back later,

Kate x

I am entering this card into the I love Promarkers challenge

Good to be Back

Well here I am again and hello to you all.  It seems ages since I last blogged.  I hope you have all been well. I've tried to keep up with your news and creations over the last few days and have noticed that a few of you lucky people have been to the craft exhibition in Glasgow over the weekend. hope you've still got some pennies in your purse.

We have the house back to ourselves now our guests have gone, but what a blast we had with them, my hubby and Stewart never stopped talking the whole of the time, Dale claims he hardly speaks two words at home. We had so many good laughs and lucky me, they brought gifts too. Dale is a sewer and at the moment is making quilting projects and made a beautiful bag for my knitting, I just love it, what do you think?

She couldn't have chosen a more apt material as strawberries are my favourite fruit.  I now have somewhere to keep my larger projects and it looks so good sitting by the side of my chair.
Alistair got a big tin of Roses chocs which I am finding it hard not to raid, not good for diabetics!!

Anyway with having visitors I've not managed to craft and hope to get back into it later today as I've bought a few new bits and pieces and want to try them out. however I wanted to share a card I made for a little girl called Evie who's birthday coming up soon

It's a LOTV stamp and coloured with promarkers, background paper from one of my CDs LOTV sentiment, xcut scalloped die card and ribbon from my stash and WO flower, silver border peel offs, insrt from Paintshop Poppets CD.

Before I go, I thought I would tell you of my win, yes I've finally won something. Imagine my surprise to open the post from Little Claire to find I was winner of last weeks comments on their nativity stamp, I'm so delighted to have won this lovely stamp. I'm laughing to myself as it seems that my word creations outshine my artistic creations as I've not managed to win any blog challenges yet.

So I'm back to work tomorrow after a lovely two weeks holiday, we have visited dear friends, dear friends have visited us, had some great food and drink, wonderful gifts, great laughter, been entertained at the theatre and won a compitition, it's what life is all about.....roll on the next holiday!!

All for now, Kate x

Getting Ready for the Weekend!

Good Afternoon All, finally getting around to blogging, we have been busy this morning getting the house ready for friends Dale and Stewart who are arriving this evening for a few days.  We are so looking forward to their visit, and anticipate a laugh a minute with them; i've just looked out the window and it's snowing!!, hope their train gets up OK. Alistairs' just gone out for a walk to blow the cobwebs away too, he'll come back like a snowman.

Anyway I've known these friends for ever, and unfortunately don't get together very often so it's great they are coming, last time here was for Alistair's 60th and that was 7 years ago.  We've lots of things planned but main one is SNJO concert at Eden Court theatre on Sunday, both boys are great jazz fans. 
I wont get crafting while their here but it's a good opportunity to get on with the knitting. Anyway here is the card I put together for Peter and Jean

I thought they would like the dogs.  I've used the free papers from Making Cards mag and the rest is from my stash.  I can't claim to have really designed the layout, I copied the example in the mag, well I couldn't have done any better.

To all who are going to the craft exhibition in Glasgow this weekend, have a great time and come home with loads of goodies.  I had planned to go, but visitors are here, always next year.

Have a great weekend,  Kate x

Christmas cards again

Good Afternoon Everyone and I hope you are all well and have had a good day whatever you were doing. Thank you to all who left such nice inspiring comments on my last blog, I alway look forward to reading them.

Well I didn't get any blogging done yesterday, but I did get some cards made. I cut out and put together the Giorgdano decoupage images the other night whilst watching TV so they were ready to make a card with yesterday, here they are

They are lovely images and I'm pleased I bought them, however they need a larger card than I am used to doing and the first one I think could have done with a larger card base, not to worry though.
I've embossed the top one with a spellbinders christmas folder and used WO flowers, gems and glitter

Seasons Tweetings uses Anita green card and Papermania Boofle paper, glitter and gems, WO flowers.

Dinner time now and Alistair has just been through asking if he should put on the oven knowing full well that the oven is not needed tonight.   this is a subtle hint to get going with the cooking.

Have a good Evening,  Kate x

Home bearing gifts

Good Evening All and thank you for all the comments left on my last blog, much appreciated.


Well, we had a lovely time at our friend's it was great to catch up with all their news and the "scandal" of the glen, not that I know who is doing the scandalizing, but Alistair does as he used to live in Corgaff, many years ago.  We were well fed and watered, which isn't easy for our hosts as I have diabetes and don't eat carbohydrates, and of course the Western world revolves around it. However, all our lovely friends try their utmost to make sure that they substitute other foods and that I don't starve, as if I would.

We were sent home today with a wonderful painting from Peter. Its a landscape painted in oils and its of part of the Kintail mountains. The colours are wonderful and it's title is Dawn over Kintail.  His mountain landscapes are fantastic and he gets my hubby to name them as Alistair is a climer/hillwalker and knows the mountains better than he does his own house. We will hang it tomorrow and I know just where it's going.
I also received a lovely gift from jean of Liz Earle skin care products.  I just love them as the products are made with wonderful natural ingredients.  So, it was a great couple of days.

My card this evening I made a couple of days ago here it is

 I was asked to make this for a friend to give to her hubby at Christmas and he loves areoplanes and has his own glider.  I wasn't too sure how this LOTV stamp fitted into a Christmas card  but did my best.
Coloured with promarkers, sentiments are LOTV, Papermanis Papers, papermania glitter card, gems and buttons from my stash.
So I hope Susan likes it.

I came home to two new Spellbinder dies and Joanna Sheen's Giordano Decoupage Sheets, so I'm looking forward to creating something with them.

Hope your day has been good,

Kate x

Frosy Monday

Good Morning Everyone, thank you for all the great comments on my last blog and to Wendy for the helpful info regarding challenges.

Well it's quite a frosty morning with a bit of mist, but I think the sun is trying to shine through.  We're off again to visit friends in Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, today.  Haven't see these friends in quite a while so it will be good to catch up.  Their home is also a Gallery as Peter is an artist and not only exhibits his own work but other artists too, with a mixture of mediums, photography, sculpture etc.  I just love to visit Jean and Peter and their wonderful Labradors, I think  there are four of them.
Their house is set in such wonderful scenery and Jean's garden is beautiful with a backdrop of lovely hills.  They also have three beautiful Icelandic ponies, and as I love horses, I'm just in my element.
I love Peter's work, he is such a talented artist and works with in many different styles, now I know nothing about art, I gauge it by "would I hang this on my wall", yes or no. Anyhow if you ever find yourself in this area the gallery is called "The Lost Gallery" and it's a couple of miles up a track but well worth while when you get there.  They  do have a website.

Anyway that's enough advertising, here is my latest creation

This card is for our friend Sean who celebrates his birthday next month, and how I wish I could take photos, I've just noticed the reflection of a painting on the opposite wall is on the mirriboard.

I have used Kanbans Gentleman's Journey card and mirriboard, topper, mounted on brown card.
Spellbinders snowflakes dies as I thought they looked a bit like cogs.
A wooden 60 coloured with promarker in chestnut and gems.

I'm quite pleased with it as I struggle with mens cards a bit.

Thats me off to get myself together and I will catch up sometime tomorrow when we are home.
Have a good day, Kate x