Thursday 29 September 2016

Autumn Leaves!

Hello from a very wet and windy Inverness, gosh it was blowing a hoolie and with the reain battering down from early o'clock, it was a day for staying home, and I consider myself lucky that I can do that.
So how are you all, well I hope, but sending out kind thoughts to those who are not so well.

Thank you for your visits and lovely comments, I do appreciate your time, everyone is so busy these days, even me who is busy doing nothing, although I have to say Milo is taking up quite a bit of my afternoons. He's a darling but has been in the bad books quite a bit just lately. Yesterday, I arrived to find that he had seriously rashed the cat's scratching platforme, and made a hole in the carpet underneath the spare bed.   So I'm wondering what I'll find today. He's just bored and hopefully he will grow out of it.

I have a little Autumnal card for you today;
Now I have been seeing cards like this from many blogs, so this is where my inspiration has come from.
I've used the lovely dies that came along with Crafters Companion project magazine and cut into the base card. got very messing with gilding flakes on a spare piece of white card, I used Indigo Blue Autumn Blaze. The actual die cut I glittered up with Imagination Craft's Sparkle Medium in Ruby Gold. Inkylicious sentiment, and som red sequins.
Sorry about the colours not showing up so well, I tried to correct with my photo editor, but still not great. Just a card for my box.

Well that's my offering for today, I'm hoping that some of the cloud cover will lift tonight as the weather people are saying there could be good sightings of the Aurora Borealis .
Take care everyone till next time,
 


Tuesday 27 September 2016

Poppies!

Hello Everyone, I'm late tonight, been a busy day.  I hope you are all well and have had a lovely day.

Lots of wind today...outside that is. Great for getting the washing dry of course, but I don't like being out in it, but apparently we have to have gales over the next few days.

Thank you all for the lovely comments on my last card, much appreciated.

So just a short post tonight rather tired and going t have a fairly early night, just started a new book and I'm gripped already. Here's my card;
Hobby Art Poppy stamp and coloured with SN colourblend pencils, SB dies and an Sara Davis Embossing folder, is her last name Davis, gosh can't remember and can't be bothered to go and rake out the folder, but you'll know the lass I mean, Crafters Companion owner. A bit of colour on the embossing and around the dies. I've used Liquid Pearls, but they haven't gone into a pearl, which is a bit of a pain, added a little bird cos I could. 

That's it then, off to the Land of Nod and leaving Alistair to the Xfiles, I could never understand them anyway, cheerio for now and see you soon,


Sunday 25 September 2016

Snow Globe Shaker!

Hello Everyone, I hope you are well and enjoying your Sunday.
We are enjoying a quiet day here at home, not gallivanting anywhere just a wee bit of food shopping and catching up with things around the house.

The concert we attended last night was excellent, Mahler has composed the most wonderful music and the small orchestra who performed  were brilliant. It was a lovely way to spend the evening. Not comfortable though as the venue as in the cathedral, not comfy seats, my back was aching at the end, but I guess old churches were not built for comfort. However the acoustics were terrific.

Thank you all who have visited me and left comments on my last card, you are all very kind and I do appreciated each and every comment.

I have something new to share today, it's a first for me, might be a last too as it was so fiddly, a snow globe card;
All the stamps used are from Creative Stamping magazine, it's a lovely selection of stamps this month. The globe is heat embossed with WOW silver powder and painted with Starlight paints around the rim of the globe. Sentiment embossed also with WOW powder.
 Fawns are coloured with pencils and a little sequin as a bauble. Papers are from First Edition Silent Night and Centura Pearl card in Platinum. SB Decorative Circles to mat the globe on to.
Embellishment Attic Snow and Ice inside the globe to make the shaker.

The globe is a wee bit rough and ready, but it doesn't look too bad I think.

I don't do many challenges but I thought I would it into;
https://scrapsoflifebyscrappymo.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/september-rudolph-days-challenge.html

Well that's me for today, a wee bit of ironing to do then a bit of a sit down with my book before getting the dinner sorted.
Take care of yourselve and enjoy what's left of the weekend,


Friday 23 September 2016

Raining Daisies for Friday Oldie!

My goodness, I thought it was still morning, horrified to see it's past noon, all to pot today, but it is Friday and time again to join Erika of Snappy Crafts.. to be found here for Friday Oldie.

So Hello to Everyone, and how are you today, heading into another weekend, have you some nice plans made??, we are going to a concert in Inverness Cathedral tomorrow night, to listen to the Mahler Players performing Mahler's 9th Symphony, in miniature. They are excellent musicians lead by a very young Conductor, who I believe is still studying for his Music Masters.  Alistair loves Mahler, my musical likes are of an earlier period, but I do like some of Mahler's pieces. It will be a lovely night out.

So here we are again to share and Oldie, something handmade from an earlier time in our crafting career, doesn't have to be a card, sewing knitting, oh the list of crafting is endless.  They're are quite a few of us playing along now so why not join in, it's just for fun and it's good to see how your styles have changed, here is mine for this week,
This little creation was made from LC stamps, papers too and sentiment. If memory serves me right they were one of the monthly Club sets, which they no longer make.  I don't do many easel cards, not sure why as they are lovely and different. It's a pretty wee card I think.

Milo was in the bad books last night when Damian and Moreen got in from work, he had got into the pet's cupboard and managed to pull all his biscuit off the shelf and eat them, it was a box of shapes, then he got the large biscuit bones, demolished them, then started on the chews, didn't quite managed to finished them owing to the fact that he would have been too full. He didn't forget about the cats though as a box of cat treats were found almost empty, and Poppy and Bonnie looking  quite smug.

Damian let me know all this by a text message saying Milo's butt would be sore with either with a good slapping or of nature taking it's course. Anyway, this morning I texted back  to say that I hoped it wasn't me that left the door open, as I'm usually careful to close it, but was informed that the cat's have learnt to open the door could have been them and Milo in the right place at the right time. I just have this picture in my head of the pets all working together to get at their treas.  Damian's response was that when out for the morning walk, and nature taking it's course, and I quote"big enough to stick a flag on top".  I just another picture in my head then.   This dog is a real handful, and keep all of us on our toes.  

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments on my last post, all appreciated.

Anyway, that's me for today, off to link up with Erika, and see about a bite of lunch, have a lovely day and take  care of yourselves,


Wednesday 21 September 2016

Ye Ha!

Hello Crafty Friends and Visitors, middle of another week, whizzing by as usual.
My we have had some lovely weather over the last week or so, decidedly Autumnal, but sunny and warm throughout the day. just that bit of nippiness in the morning and as evening comes.

I had a lovely weekend with Teallach and Alistair and friends had a super time climbing up An Teallach, but of course he forgot to take the camera.  He slept in the car, but said he was comfy, I don't know about that, we have a Nissan Micro and although I think it's a Tardus, I doubt very much if it would be all that comfy. However he was happy, saying that if I'd been there then yes of course he would have booked a room, in actual fact it would have been me that booked, he was just too lazy to do it for himself.

Thank you for all your kind comments on my CCC cards, you are so encouraging.

I have a card and some knitting today;
Now I'm sure you will all recognise this sweet LOTV image. I've had him for years but never coloured him in before, used pencils, LOTV paper and sentiment, buttons and card candy and a piece of twin for a lasso. I bought loads of the lovely cute LOTV stamps years ago when I had some children to make cards for, but sadly they have all grown up and now wouldn't appreciate a card like this one, but you never know someone might come along wanting boy cute.

Socks for our friend Ken who's birthday is very soon, but he was given them as he will be  in New York on his big number day, pleased to say he loves them.
Socks for another big birthday boy, Simon, he hasn't got these of his cards yet, but won't be looking on here.

So pleased to have got these done and dusted and now on to  a Snowman scarf, and it's The Snowman, for a friends Christmas.
I found this on Pinterest and thought it's just me to a T, the knitters and crocheters will know just what I mean.

I think that will do me for today, a wee bit photo heavy, hope you don't mind.

Take care everyone and see you soon






Sunday 18 September 2016

Hats, Scarves and Gloves for the Christmas Card Club!

Hello Everyone, hoping your weekend is going well and that you are having some lovely weather.
I know some of you are at Ally Pally this weekend, you lucky things you, so I hope you all have a fab time and spend lots.  I'll have to make do with Hochanda as they are broadcasting some live demonstrations.

Time again for the Ladies from the CCC to share their creations and guess what....it's my turn to choose the theme. After giving this some thought and failed to come up with anything, I asked my hubby Alistair what I could do and it was him who came up with Hats, Scarves and Gloves, so if you're having problems, blame him. However I'm sure you will all manage something, it doesn't have to be all of them  and you are all very creative and resourceful.

I've made three, just cos I could;
Now I just love this fun stamp from LC, such smart Snowmen with their Top Hats, coloured with watercolour paints.
All of these stamps are from a free set from Creative Stamping Magazine a year or so ago, and were just perfect for the challenge, adding the heart embellishment to suggest a warm heart to go along wit the other thing that give one warmth in the Winter days.
Once again these images are from Creative Stamping Magazine even more years ago. Decided to make a little sledging scene to go with the sledging boy and girl, watercolour paints for colouring.
The Stag image is by Inkylicious and background inked up with DI.
There is loads of sparkle but sadly not showing up in the photos.
I was on a roll with this and was so pleased Alistair suggested it, and anyway I love these garments in the winter, well actually I'll be pulling the gloves out shortly, I hate cold hands.

So there we are I hope the CCC Ladies enjoy the challenge. Pleased visit their blogs as there will be fabulous cards to see.

Scheduling this post to go live tomorrow. 

I have most of the weekend to myself as Alistair is away climbing An Teallach (the mountain my lovely puss is named after), as our friend Cath is completing her last Munro, and traditionally all like minded friend climb the mountain with her, then there is a hoolie in the local hotel in the evening, and Alistair and his little band are providing the entertainment.
I don't do mountains any longer, heck I don't even like climbing stairs, so opted out and I didn't have a car to get me to the hotel for the evening, as it's away on the wilds. But I'm there in spirit.

Thank you all so much for you lovely comments on my last card and "the hoodie"

See you all soon,




Friday 16 September 2016

Tortoise Oldie for Friday!

Good Evening One and All, I hope it's been a good Friday for you. Another fast week, where does the time go??

Friday is the day that We share an Oldie along with Erika of Snappy Crafts and you can find her here
 This can be anything handmade, not just a card, knitting,sewing , just whatever you're into. It's good to look back and see how your style has changed, and developed over time.
Here is mine;
I made this card for Damian's birthday a few years back, it's a brilliant image from Little Claire, chosen because he had a little Horseshoe tortoise called Toby, it's the sweetest wee critter, but with a hefty bite when he wants.  Coloured with Pro markers.

So why not join in, it's just for fun and the more the merrier.
He is another pet, our darling Milo playing with is favourite toy of the moment, he just loves this bucket, and even tries to take it out on his walks. I can hardly believe he is almost 6 months old now, and such a big boy who still wants to sit on your knee.


Now do you remember the hoodie I was knitting and didn't like it, well here it is in all it's glory. It's almost a sort of cape with stitches to make the sleeves, but somehow it all went wrong and look a disaster, especially the hood, and it took me so long to knit it up I just couldn't  face ripping it out and having another go, so off to charity it went.  Thank fully the yarn was on offer so felt that I hadn't put out a huge amount on the yarn, which I have to say was lovely. Anyway, you win some you loose some.

That's me for now, off to link up with Erika. Have a fabulous weekend, and thank you so much for your kind comments on my last card,




Thursday 15 September 2016

Daffodils and Dragonflies!

Hello to You All, I hope you are all good, but sending out healing thoughts if you're not.
Well, we started out with a foggy morning but now it's just beautiful, though Alistair has just commented that he wouldn't be surprised if there is thunder, it is that sort of heat. I have a full whirrly of washing out so I hope not.

Thank you all for commenting on my last card, and the final photos of Shetland, you are all so kind and encouraging.

Not a long post today you'll be pleased to here,  I have another card made using  another of the wonderful Chocolate Baroque stamps
From the Daffodil Script set this is a lovely image which I've coloured with watercolour paints, and added little dragonflies to the background which is watercolour paint swooshed on the card, quite effective I thought, than matted on to a sage coloured card.
Just a simple  card.

That's all from me  for now, enjoy your day and see you soon,

Hugs Kate x









Sunday 11 September 2016

Autumn's Colours!

Hello Everyone, I hope your Sunday is going well and that you are enjoying whatever you're doing.

I've not done that much, a bit of a lazy day, but I did manage to spend some time making a card for the current Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge. Here are the colours to use this time around;
Lovely colours I'm sure you'll agree, and to me they say Autumn, so here is my card;
My Background is made using the Harlequin Tando Mask and Distressed inkes and Creative Expressions Colour Cloud.
CB Autumn Edges coloured with Distressed inks, SB Pine Cones and Leaves dies, a bow made from twine and a little sparkle. The lovely sentiment is from Inkylicious.

I have some more photo's.....but you can look away now lol!!


This is know as Dutchman's leap.

From the Up Helly As Festival, got these from postcards.  I would love to go to this, but it is so popular that accommodation is booked up years in advance, but maybe someday.

Thank you all so much on your lovely comments on my last card and photos, you are so kind.

That's all from me for the moment, so take care everyone and see you soon,
I would like to enter my card into;
http://chocolatebaroquechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/challenge-twenty-six.html
http://www.fashionablestampingchallenges.com/

Friday 9 September 2016

First Day at School for Friday Oldie!

Good Morning to Everyone, are you all well, I do hope so.
Well am I all mixed up with the days or what???  Upon wakening up this morning it seemed like ages to fix on what day this is, is that age, not working, being away, more than likely a combination of all.

Thank you for your lovely comments yesterday and interest in our holiday, I have a few more pictures for you at the end of the post.

Now this is Friday Oldie day where we share something handmade at an earlier stage in our crafting journey. This little bit of fun was started by  Erika of Snappy Crafts and there are quite a few of us playing along, so why not join in, it can be anything not just cards as long as it's hand made.
Now this is most certainly an early card, I don't think I had a die cutting machine and used my trimmer to give a scalloped edge to the paper. It's a Sarah Kaye image and coloured with Promarkers, colouring is very basic, I've improved somewhat.....I hope.  It's a sweet little image and I don't think I've used it since.

Now for the holiday snaps, with Rachel and Mary in mind;
This is taken from the little ferry going over to Bressay, it was the most beautiful hot sunny day and a lovely sail, it only took seven minutes.  So, Rachel, I would maybe seen some of your work in the Heritage Centre. I am pleased it brought back lovely memories for you.  Lots of interesting history to the small island.
Alistair took this photo when he went south and I did the shops. This is Sumburgh Head and it's famous lighthouse, built by Robert Stevenson, grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson, of Treasure Island fame. Shetland's oldest lighthouse and a listed building.  There is a nature reserve there, and my goodness look at that coastline, I think Alistair was eyeing it up for coast steering.

Inside the lighthouse there is a little cafe. Mary you mentioned that you enjoyed the Shetland drama on TV, as I do, so this is the lighthouse that is used in some of the stories, however it is not a hotel, although there is accommodation around it.  Has anyone else watched the Shetland stories, I love Douglas Henshal, but he is totally different to his character in the book 

Hope your still with me I know it's a long post, but that's me finished now.

I hope you enjoy your day and have some nice plans for the weekend. Don't know yet if we will do anything much, holidays are tiring so maybe just chill.
Take care of yourselves






Thursday 8 September 2016

Back from Holiday and Little Drummers!

Good Morning Blogging Friends, are you all well, I hope so, but if not that you will feel better soon.

Well we are back from Shetland and had a lovely holiday, what a stunning place it is, and we more or less had decent weather.  I decided not to go to the Fair Isle as I felt I didn't need another two flights in a small plane, and there was just as much to see knitting wise on the mainland in and around Lerwick.  Our flights were a tad bumpy to say the least, and I feel quite scared, and as we stopped at Kirkwall in Orkney it meant altogether that there were four flights.

The scenery is outstanding, and what a coastline there is. We hired a car for a day and went north to explore, everywhere is really strung out, lots of very little villages dotted around the Island, in fact I was reminded of Iceland, with out the volcanic ground. Of course loads of sheep, Shetland Ponies and gorgeous knitwear, I also discovered Shetland Jewellery. Visited the workshop to see how pieces were made and as Alistair was with me, checked if the jewellery could be bought in Lerwick when I managed to ditch Hubby for some shopping., which I did on the Monday when he took himself off to Sumburgh for an exploration around the archaeological sights.

I have some photos, but to be honest I couldn't have done the scenery justice with my little camera, so sorry to all of you who love to see them, I will post a few over the next few posts, don't want to bore you all.

Thank you for your comments on my last card. I am trying to catch up with all of you, but forgive if I've missed you, not deliberate, just time consumming, but I have seen all the cards/projects on my reading list and as ever are all wonderful.

Here is a wee Christmas card I made a few weeks ago;
Image from MFT, once again a pants photo, but I was aiming for trad Christmas colours of red, green and gold. coloured with Derwent Coloursoft pencils.  It does look much better in real life.

Now the holiday pics
Aww the ponies, these little guys were so busy chomping their grass that I was ignored, can't really tell from the photo but these ponies were very, very tiny.
Here is Alistair beside the Viking Longship that will be burned at the Up Helly Aa Festival in the middle of Winter to mark the end of the Yule season.  An event I would love to be at where lots of Shetland men march through the streets of Lerwick dressed as Vikings with lighted torches, then burn the boat.
Seems such a shame to burn this beautiful longship. I think there are still some bits to be added to it before the festival.

A super holiday, but as usual I was glad to get back home as I missed my two wee boys, Teallach and Milo.  Teallach gave us cause for concern just before we left as he went missing for about four days. We trailed all over looking for him to no avail, and I was beginning to give up hope. He does have a microchip, but then he would have to be handed in to the SPCA. My biggest fear was that he was lying injured somewhere, or that he had been a victim of some human perverse cruelty.  On the Saturday mornng I decided to go down and check at the SPCA, and had left the front door open, and in he strolls with a meow, and went straight to his food bowl. No explanation as to where he had been. He looked a bit rough and was a bit cowed, so I thinked he has had a scare of some sort, but he came around and was his old self.  What a scare though.

That's me for now, thank goodness did I hear you say!!!
Take care of yourselfves and I'll see you soon,





Sunday 4 September 2016

A Winter's Scene for the Christmas Card Club!

Hello Everyone I hope all is well with you, but if not sending out kind and positive thoughts that you will feel better soon.

Once again it's time for the CCC ladies to share their Christmas cards. It's a fortnightly challenge where one of us chooses a theme and we all get on with it. So this time it's the turn of our lovely Rachel and she would like to see cards depicting a Winter Scene, so without further ado here are mine;
This is my first card and I've used one of my lovely Justinklined images, it's a big stamp and comes along with the gorgeous floral stamps. I've coloured it all with SN Pencils, all shades of blue and which are really lovely to work with. Embossilicious Folder of beautiful bells on Centura Pearl card.
This card was inspired by the lovely creations made by Inkylicious, although the only Inkylicious stamp is the branches stamped and embossed in Wow Silver powder in the background.
The stamps are all from freebies from Creative Stamping Magazine a couple of years ago, which have been stamped on to Kraft card, which has been inked with White ink, lots of glitter on the snow. 
I was very pleased with the way this card turned out as I had only stamps which were similar to the ones used by Inkylicious.

Remember to pop over and see what the other CCC ladies have created.  I will be scheduling this as at the time of going live I will be in Shetland.
Over the last week I've not managed to do much by way of commenting but hope to catch up  somewhat when I return home. I've had a very busy week with one thing and another, but I have seen your cards on my reader's list and so much gorgeousness there is.

Thank you all so much for the lovely comments on my Oldie card, very kind as ever you all are.

Take care and I will see you soon,