Thursday 31 January 2013

Bafta Boy!!!

Good Afternoon Blogging Friends,  hoping you are all well and for those who are not too good just now hope it wont be long before you feel tip top again.

Firstly I want to welcome my new follower, Alison, lovely to have you here.

Thank goodness today is a much calmer day, the last two days had such high winds and some horrible rain.  I detest the wind, it always scares me and coupled with rain is just so awful.  Still our weather he is not as extreme as other places so have to be grateful for that.

No real news today, nothing exciting happening here just now, well I say that but actually I feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for my manager at work as her son has been nominated for a Bafta at the big one in London.  He has already won the Scottish Bafta for his work.  This young man is not long out of art school and already making his mark with lots of awards.  He is of course and artist, but works in animation and it is his short film called The Making Of Longbird which is up for the award.  It is such a clever little film.
His mum asked if I could make a card for him, here it is;
I was a bit stumped as to what to do, Susan really likes to give me a challenge.
So this is just a simple card, using Xcut stars in gold mirri matted on to red card(meant to represent the red carpet), and black glitter card for the letters. which are Marianne dies and Tim Holtz.
I hope it will do, and I really hope that Will, will win the big one.

Well it's just about lunch time, I'm off to forage in the fridge.
Enjoy the rest of your day,  Kate x

Monday 28 January 2013

Gone Fishin!

Good Morning Blogging Friends and I hope this morning finds you well and refreshed after a good nights sleep.

Well we has some amount of rain during the night which woke me in the wee small hours, but it seems to have settled down at the moment.

Thank you one and all for your lovely comments about my previous card, I wasn't too sure about it myself, but the more I look at it, the more it grows on me.  Thinking back to what a few of you were mentioning the other day about people visiting but not leaving comments, made me have a look at my visit counter and yes I find the same thing.  It's a pity that no message is left, I feel that I miss out on a wealth of inspiration and the chance to make a new blog friend.  I love looking at new blogs, always so much to see, bit maybe it's just as well not to leave a comment if you don't like what you see.  Thankfully, I've not received any of those, everyone who does leave a message is constructive and inspiring.

So to my card today, it's for my Brother-in-Law, Jim whose birthday is quite soon;
Jim like to fish when he has a chance so I thought this lovely LOTV image would just do him fine.
It's one of their die cut images so the wonderful Bev has created the colours, and I've matched them to  First Editions J'Adore paper and co-ordination card which I've attempted to distress.  Xcut die for frames, LOTV sentiment, and to pick out the little bit of red in the paper I've introduced a red button and and some candy.  Bakers twine from The Ribbon Girl.

I would like to enter this card into http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/anything-goes.html

Off to ge ready for work now, no rest for the wicked as they say, have a great day everyone,

Kate x

Sunday 27 January 2013

Extra! Extra! New Job!

Good Morning Everyone, I hope your having a great Sunday doing what you most like to do.

Thank you to everyone who left comments on my last post, I love reading them and finding out where they will take me, sometimes it's to new crafting shops, other times it's to new crafty people, it's always an adventure.

We have a really lovely day here, bright and clear.  Don't know about the temp as I've not yet ventured outdoors, but I'm off to work soon so I'll find out then.   Some of you are having awful weather, but surely it must clear up soon, although there is now a new fear of flooding.  Our weather is all so changed now.

Patricia, Summerhouse Crafts, posted a lovely photo of the snowy scene at her home, it looks gorgeous, but not for days on end and keeping you house bound.

Anyhow just a quick post today, Ive been busy getting this little card finished, but It took me ages to come up with an idea for it.  I try to make cards reflecting a bit about the person it's going to, and I found this one difficult. The friend who has landed this new job, didn't seem to fit into any sort of category, well at least the new position didn't.  She will be the new head of the social work dept at a university, so I felt a teaching image wasn't quite right as she will do much less teaching and what would you put for a s.w.!

I really liked this image when I discovered it at Mo Mannings shop;

Memory card not reading on computer yet again,so this is on my phone.

Mo Manning image coloured with Promarkers and matterd on to co-ordinations, Papermania paper, Tim Holtz Alterations Alphabet dies, candy and gems from my box.
I'm not sure what made me use grey and green for my colour scheme, who knows why we do things, but there you go.

Off to get some lunch before I hit the trail, I made some lovely Scotch Broth this morning,

Have a good day,  Kate x

Friday 25 January 2013

Rainy Days!

Hello Everyone and managing to get here a bit earlier this evening.  I hope all you folk who have loads of snow are managing to keep warm and safe, some areas look dreadful.  It stared to sleet here this afternoon but hasn't come to anything, although there is a good amount of snow on the mountains, but not going there.

Thank you to every one who left messages on my previous post, and a warm welcome to my new visitor Sue, lovely to have you on board.

Well yesterday I felt really old, it was my son's birthday and he was 42, where have all the years gone!.. I don't feel old in my head, although the old body is feeling it's age, but nevertheless I can hardly believe Damian is this age.  He loved his tortoise card and the fact that it got a mention at LC Challenge blog.
So in a couple of weeks it's my daughter-in-law Moreen's birthday and I will have to get my thinking cap on for her gift, got the card sorted, but I always struggle with the prezzie.

Alistair managed to book my birthday gift last week even although my birthday is not until June, and as this is one of those landmark birthdays, it's the big 60, he is taking me to Iceland.  I have always wanted to go there, so I am so excited about it, mind you at the moment cash is scarce, I've not enough for Iceland the shop never mind the country, so I will have to get saving, that means less buying of all the craft goodies.   Seriously though I am so looking forward to it and top of my list to do and see there are Whales and Icelandic knitting.  Alistair wants to go and look at the volcanoes.  I've an interest in the Viking Sagas too,so I want to read as many as possible before we go. Another bonus is that I don't have to buy a new summer wardrobe as my lovely, comfortable winter clothes will do and I wont feel out of place because I don't tan.

On to my card for today, it's not a new one, but new on here;
The image is from Paintshop Poppets CD, which I've cut out and decoupaged, the background papers and sentiment are also from the CD, the rest from my box of bits and pieces.  Just a simple little card really.

I'm off to pour myself a G&T and settledown to watch Corrie, I'm hooked by the Tyrone and Kirstie storyline just now, and I've missed the last couple of episodes and not managed to catch up on the Iplayer.

Have a good evening everyone and a great weekend whatever your doing,

Kate x


Wednesday 23 January 2013

Just For You Thanks!

Good Evening Blogging Friends and hoping you are well and have had a good day.  Some of you are still snow bound so I hope you are keeping warm and safe if you do have to go out.  Nothing here yet but, the forecast for Friday looks as if we may get some, just in time for my days off.

Thank you to everyone who left a wee comment on my last post, and if you are having a visit, please do let me know then I can have a peek at what you are doing.  I love visiting other blogs and gaining a wealth of inspiration from all you talented folk.

My card today is for Isabelle and Graeme to say thanks for such a lovely visit, all the more appreciated as I hadn't been feeling all that well and I knew if I stayed at home I would not have been resting, so it was just what the doctor ordered, a lovely few days away.  They are off to New Zealand next week to visit Isabelle's daughter and family, and the new baby, so they are greatly excited, not to mention needing a break themselves as they do B&B and are really busy during the summer as their location in Gairloch is just stunning.

Here's my card;

I've used a lovely Penny Black Slapstick stamp and coloured it with Promarkers.  Papers are Papermania's new Capsule Collection,Spots and Stripes in Pastels.  Matted on to Adorable Scorable card, Anita dot ribbon. Marianne Just For You Thanks dies, WO cherry blossom, pearls and butterfly gems from my box and Star Dust to give a bit of sparkle.

I would like to enter this card into; http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/challenge-152-anything-goes.html

That's me done for today, almost time for bed and my book, oh I do look forward to that, is it an age thing do you think?

Kate x


Tuesday 22 January 2013

Man of the Match!

Good Evening Everyone, and I do hope those of you with snow and horrible weather are managing to keep warm and safe.  Our snow didn't come to anything here in the center of Inverness, thankfully as I hate driving in it and fear walking in case I slip and fall, my poor mum many years ago slipped and knocked herself out.

Thank you to all who left comments on my last card, I do love to get them, however I am sorry that some of you are finding it difficult to read my blog because of the falling hearts, so I hope I've not caused you any eye problems.  They are just part of my Valentine theme, but I have now removed them, hoping this is better.  Of course it doesn't help when my photos are not too clear either.

My card for today is one I made a while ago but not posted;


LOTV stamp coloured with Promarkers, Xcut dies, Papermania paper, computer generated sentiment.
I was ased to make this for a man who is Glasgow Rangers daft, so I attemped to put their little logo on the shirt, then they went down the tube.

So that's my little contribution to Blog Land for to day.

Kate x

Monday 21 January 2013

Marsha!

Hello Everyone, I hope you are all well and staying cosy.  I've been reading how many of you have loads of snow.  Up here in Inverness, we don't have any, well a salt shaker amount. it is trying to snow though, as long as it keeps off tonight as I have to go out to Choral practise.

Anyway, it's nice to be back again, and thank you all so much for visiting and leaving comments.
  We have been away in Gairloch visiting Isabelle and Graeme and a lovely time we've had, for me it was like having respite.  We were so well looked after with good company, great food and drink and the most wonderfully bitter cold weather, but sunny.  Alistair took his telescope and they sky was just wonderful for star gazing and as Graeme is interested in that too they were in their element. However, it was really cool to be able to see Jupiter and four of it's moons.  Isabelle and I retreated into the warmth pretty quickly though and left the boys to it.

So I've not caught up with card making too much yet but managed to finish this one today, it is one of the new stamps purchased from http://www.aciddropsandwhatnots.co.uk/  who produce some really quirky stamps, the quips and style of the stamps really make me smile, so here it is;
Oh this is so annoying another duff photo.
My husband has named her " Marsha", and I think the the company are looking for a name for her so I'll pass our name on.  She is coloured with Promarkers, and matted and layered on to black and red co-ordination card.  The background paper is from Papermania, black ribbon from The Ribbon Girls, red gems from my box and a bit of Star Dust on her stole and hat feathers.

As I've not put an occasion sentiment on it, the card could be for any thing.

I have kept it quite simple, no flowers or bows, but I think it is quite effective, what do you think?  I await your comments.

Off to make the dinner now.

Have a warm and cosy evening,  Kate x

Wednesday 16 January 2013

You will always be my valentine!

Good Evening Blogging Friends, and I hope it has been a good day for you all.  Thank you to everyone who left comments on my last post, always welcome.

Just another short post tonight, nothing much in the way of news, been working hard at the paid job and by the time I get home and do what I have to do, there isn't much time for crafting. However I began a card before I left for work this morning, I'm up so early I think I might as well use the time well, and have finished it this evening, here it is;
and a close up;

This is a wonderful Mo Manning digi stamp called Young Love, the minute I saw it I just had to have it, it's such a great image.  I've coloured it with a mixture of soft coloured pencils and pastels and used a  xcut die to make the frame. I've matted and layered eith co-ordination card and First Editions Dessert Blooms papers, sentiment is computer generated, heart charm from The Ribbon Girl, everything else from my box of tricks.

I think this well might be Alistair's valentines card, the image makes me smile and I like to think we will look as happy as that when were that age, whatever "that age" is..........

Thank you for visiting, that's me for tonight,
 Kate x

Tuesday 15 January 2013

Because I Love You!

Good Evening All and I hope you are all well and keeping cosy.  I've been reading that many of you have snow, and lots of it, not yet here, although it is pretty cold.

Thanks to all who have been visiting my blog and leaving lovely messages, it's great to receive.

This will be a short post tonight, I have had a corker of a headache since early morning so when I finish this it's off to bed.  Work didn't help, it felt as if I had entered Bedlam today, lots of very needy clients at the moment, but staff fairly depleated of energy to cope with it all.  Anyhow I am looking forward to having a long weekend when Alistair and I are going to Gairloch to visit friends, and that will feel like having respite.

So here is my card for today;
Iv'e used my new Memory Box Heart Emsemble die,  large embossed heart die from Xcut, Crafty Individuals Lacewing Butterfly die. papers are First Edition Rose Garden and co-ordination card in shades of red and Pink. Roses from WO, Ribbon and pearls from The Ribbon Girl, sentiment computer generated and finally Star Dust on the butterfly.

I bought this paper stack at the weekend and have fallen in love with it, the texture and designs are beautiful.
I would like to enter this card into http://wildorchidchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/challenge-67-coming-up-roses.html

I'm off to the land of Nod now, sleep well everyone
Kate x

Monday 14 January 2013

Italian Villa!

Good Evening Everyone,

Well I'm a bit late tonight so this is just a short post.  Thank you for the lovely comments about my last card, and for all the tips on using Spellbinders dies, most appreciated.  Hello to my latest follower, welcome on board Anne, I hope you enjoy following my little bit of creativity.

I've got a card for you tonight that I made ages ago but not posted, I've not managed to get down to making one tonight, here it is;
Well there you go another pants photo.  Anyway, this is one of the Micheal Powell stamps from last summer, coloured with promarkers, the colours are quite vibrant, just not showing up, papers are freebies from Papermania, co-ordination red card, sentiment is also from Papermania, I think, ribbon and gems from my box.
I'm sure we would all love to be in a Tuscany Villa just now away from all the snow.  We haven't any here just now, not on the flat although the mountains are covered.

So that's me for tonight, I'm away now to dream of sunshine, good Italian food and wine, that is if I sleep.....

Kate x



Sunday 13 January 2013

Adorable Alice!

Good Evening, Blogging Friends, I hope all is well with you and that you have all had a good weekend.

Thank you for visiting me and leaving such lovely comments yesterday.

I'm a bit late tonight, I was trying to get this card  and not getting very far with the Spellbinder border that I wanted to use. I  know many of you use these dies with huge success but I find I am unable to cut them no matter whether I use wax paper and a silicon cloth.  I have a Big Shot so I'm thinking that perhaps It's not heavy enough or something.  Of course it may be just a bad workman blaming the tools.  So I changed my mind and used other dies instead. Here is my card;
I've used another Vintage Adorable digi stamps, Alice, and coloured with pastels and soft colour pencils.  The papers are from LOTV, Promises, and co-ordination blue card which I've distressed around the edges. Ribbon from The Ribbon Girl, Crafty Individuals Victorian Corner die and Memory Box Corner Bow.  Liquid Pearls around the image in Lilac, and lilac gems. A sprinkling of Star Dust to finish.

I didn't add a sentiment as I couldn't find a space to put one, but it means I can use the card for whatever I need one for. I didn't add any flowers either as I thought I would let the lovely flowered paper shine through.

That's me for tonight, Kate x



Saturday 12 January 2013

Arr Me Hearties!!

Hello To you All this very cold and foggy Saturday, at least it has been up here in Inverness.  I think it has lifted a bit now but it was quite pea soup when I was out this morning. I hope it has been better wherever you are.

Thank you for all the great comments on my last card, It's great to think you take the time to visit and comment, everyone is so busy these days.

Well, I took my self out on my own today even although it was foggy and managed fine, so I guess I'm back in the harness so to speak.  Talking about harnesses, I remember a few years ago when I went riding and came off the horse and was incredibly winded, I knew I had to get right back on again, which I did, then drove home, all the way from Muir of Ord on the Black Isle to Inverness in 2nd. gear as the pain was eye watering when changing gear.  I had in fact busted two ribs. That was awful, thankfully, no injuries with this accident.

So we are off star gazing later tonight, I think I'm going to lace my mug of coffee with a little brandy, that should keep me warm along with the thermal long johns.

My card today is one using a LOTV stamp;

I love this little image and have used it quite a few times, but the difference this time is that I've used a new Memory Box die, Big Splash Border which I've put over white paper in the hope of giving the impression of "white horses", it's coloured with water colours and matteed on to silver mirri.  Black glitter card and blue co-ordinations for layering.  Sentiment is LOTV and pirate charms from Papermania.


I've now just to find a little one to give it too.


Well I'm working tomorrow, but I hope you all enjoy the remainder of your weekend.


Kate x

Friday 11 January 2013

Adorable Susie

Good Afternoon Blogging Friends, I hope today is being good to you whatever your doing.
It's a bright crisp day here, cold but healthy.  Thank you for all the lovely comments on my Geisha card, I really appreciate them and I'm just delighted that you take the time out of your busy day to come and have a look and a read.

I drove up to Cullodon Battlefield this morning to find the Observatory,  Alistair with me of course, and am delighted to say I felt fine behind the wheel.  Not yet been in heavy traffic though, just taking it slowly. Anyway, we now know where we are going tomorrow night and it looks great.  There was a chap there setting up his telescope ready for tonight so Alistair got chatting about it all and was given an other bit of help.  We had a look around the observatory and it's really serious stuff.  As I said we will go tomorrow night for the last of the BBC Stargazing Live programme and Damian and Moreen are coming too, so it will be warm clothing, and maybe a flask with a wee nip in it to keep the cold out. I don't understand it all, lots of maths involved with calculations and things, but it will be really something to be able to see the planets.

The card I have today is one of the new Sugar Nellie Adorable digi stamps, I've fallen in love with them and bought three, so here is Susie see what you think;
Well it's another pants photo, I'm still on my phone, thought I'd managed to fix the camera problem, but now the computer isn't reading the memory card.

however, I've coloured her with Promarkers, and had to cut the image out free hand as I did'nt have a large enough rouns die, but I've managed not too badly. papers are First Edition Sweet Owl, my shades are pink and brown.  Adorable Scorable pink card, flowers from WO, ribbon,  hessian  and pearls from The Ribbon Girl, sentiment and gems from my box.

I would like to enter this card into The Sugar Bowl Challenge 99 "Anything Goes"

Well thats it for to day, I'm away to watch "All that Heaven Allows" and old movie with Jane Wyman and it's a weepie that I have never managed to see all the way through.  pure indulgence on a friday After noon.

Enjoy the rest of your day,  Kate x



Thursday 10 January 2013

Peach Blossom Geisha

Hello Everyone, I'm a little later tonight as I've been working late, so by the time had something to eat got into the PJs I thought I'd better go and do blog stuff before I crash out.

Thank You to everyone who left great comments on my Wellies card, they are very much appreciated.

This is just going to be a short contribution to the blogging  world as I can tell I'm too tired as I've had to delete lots of spelling mistakes, never mind I've got two days off and I intend to have a bit of a rest, main thing is getting back out behind the wheel and getting along to the craft shop at my local Howdens.

Here is my card for today;
I've used various LOTV companion stamps, these go along with the beautiful Geisha stamps brought out last year, coloured with Promarkers in shades of peach. The base card is form LC and it's embossed with a Spellbinders folder, paper is from Papermania Oriental Treasures, WO roses and The Ribbon Girl ribbon and Gems.

I think these are such gorgeous stamps and I enjoyed creating this card, I hope you like it.  I wait your remarks.
I would like to enter this card into Lillies Little Fairies new year Challenge

That's all from me, see you all soon
Kate X

Wednesday 9 January 2013

Too Lovely for Splashing About In!

Good Afternoon Everyone and I hope that you are all having a good day.

Thank you for all the lovely, encouraging comments left on my last post and a warm welcome to my latest follower, Ann-Elise, lovely to meet you and I look forward to having a peek at your blog and creations.

CAR BACK HOME!!!!!!  Finally, our wee car is back, and it's lovely to see it in the drive again.  I'm not out in it yet as I want to wait until my day off to start driving.  I'm just not sure if I'm able to make decisions when it's busy.  Inverness is really busy now, we get traffic snarl ups and it's getting worse as the rooads are getting prepared for the work starting on the Kessock Bridge soon.  I'ts going to be hellish for drivers.
I'm sure I'll manage Ok though, just need to take my time and not get flustered.

Well I'm back at work and feel like I've never been away, but I had time to take back so I left early today so that it great.  I was so tired when I got home yesterday I just couldn't summon up the energy to write up my blog.  I snoozed off whilst watching T.V.

Alistair arrived back from his first meeting at the Astrological Society full of it. had a great time, lot's of experienced astronomers to answer his questions and who will help him with is new telescope.  So he's going to join up.

So my card for today is a digi stamp from Little Claire;
Again photo not great..... I've coloured with Promarkers and matted and layered on to co-ordination card and Dovecraft Back to Basic paper.  Sentiment is also LC.  Card is from Hunkydory seam binding from The Ribbon Girl, Papermania lilac buds and gems from my box.

This was a stamp I bought ages ago and never got round to using it, I think it is really lovely and one that has great potential of so many different designs(for those who are more creative than me).  So I hope you like it.
Patricia I still haven't mastered the bow, I'll keep trying.

Enjoy the remainder of your day

Kate x



Monday 7 January 2013

Susie Ponders!

Hello to you all on this dreach, dark January afternoon, is your weather as bad?  It has rained all day and we have had to have lights on throughout the day.

Thank you for all the lovely comments left on my last post, I appreciate them all.

This is my last day of freedom, back to the grind tomorrow, I can already feel the stress beginning to build up, but we haven't won the lottery again so needs must.  I have enjoyed my holiday even although I was sort of stuck around doors, I do feel rested and I 've managed to get some cards made.  Unfortunately I've not finished the aran cushion cover, oh well there's always next Christmas.

Alistair spent the morning putting his telescope together, and looking at it it should really be at Jordrell Bank, I don't know what I was thinking buying such a large one when we have no space for it, and he can't really keep it out in the shed, nor can he keep dismantling it and putting it together again. Anyway, last night I googled and found an astronomical society here in Inverness, in fact it's really near us at Cullodon, and of course they are participating in this BBC progamme thats on for a few nights this week.  So the next meeting is tomorrow so Alistair is taking himself off to see about joining and hopefully find someone who can give him a bit of help with understanding his telescope.  So that's him with a new hobby and he says he does,'t know how he's going to fit it all in. I don't know how this man ever managed to fit in  work, he's having a hard job to fit in all he does even although he's retired.

So to my card for today;
Once again the photo isn't great, something has happened to my camera, when I switch it on a messges comes up on the screen saying  "this memory card is write-protected", no idea where this has come from, but I've no doubt pressed something I shouldn't have. So this has been taken with my phone.

This is a Sarah Kay stamp and coloured with Promarkers, background papers are First Edition Desert Blooms,  and Adorable scorable card, LOTV semtiment,  Dovecrafts heart doily, Spellbinders flourishes (I think), pearls and ribbon from The Ribbon Girl. a little Star Dust.

I do love Sarah Kay images, they are all so sweet.

So that's me for today, better get moving and see about dinner preparation, Ah... no rest for the wicked as they say.  Take care all, 
Kate x



Sunday 6 January 2013

Vintage Young Lady!

Good Morning Everyone, Are you all well today, hope you are.  Thank you all for the kind comments about my last card, I always look forward to them and feel much encouraged by them, also for the words of support re. the car. I would also like to welcome my latest follower Jenny to my blog and encourage others to pop in to see her as she has lovely creations there, so great to meet you Jenny.

It's not stopping Alistair from getting to places, he was out at the cinema last night with Sean who came to pick him up and away to the hills at crack of dawn in another friends car, not to mention he has his bus pass.  It's me who is a bit stuck, I don't yet have a buss pass and I baulk at paying the horrendous  bus fares that stagecoach charge up here.  Moan over for today, promise!!

I, however had a lovely night in with my G&T and "The Big Country", one of my fave films with the wonderful Gregory Peck and Charlton Heston, not to mention Elmer Bernstein's fantastic music, and if that wasn't enough I discovered "Borgan" is back with a new series.  I'm a real fan of all things Scandinavian and I got really hooked when this drama was on before.

I had a lovely comment left on an earlier blog from Ignacio from http://nicecranedesigns.com/ who very kindly offered me some free images from her designs. I couldn't choose there are so many lovely ones there so I said I was happy for her to make the choice, and here is a card I made with one of the lovely images;
The Image was already coloured, but I found some vintage paper for the background and co-ordination card Beautiful ruffled ribbon and pearls from The Ribbon Girl, Victorian Corner from Memory Box ( fast becoming a favourite) and the sentiment is LOTV.

Do pop in to Nicecrane Designs as there is so much to see and it all has a vintage theme. I have fellow blogger May to thank for this new found design store, so thank you May!

That's me for today, I really must go and get out of the dressing gown it's almost midday, shocking or what!

Enjoy your Sunday,  Kate x




Saturday 5 January 2013

Carnations and Lanterns!

Good Afternoon Blogging Friends.  Is your Saturday going well?  I hope it is.
Thank you to all who left lovely comments on my last post, I love reading them so keep them coming,  it also means that if your someone new I can pop into your blog and see what your up to.  When I do this I find I go on all sorts of adventures and sit at the computer for ages, but what a lot I see and learn.  So let me know if you drop in to see me.

Well guess what?  Yep that's right no car.   mechanic phoned last night to say that after they had taken the car to be washed ready to return to us they found that the wipers were not working, seems that the motor has burned out.  Now, the mechanic working on the car didn't think to mention this to his boss when he discovered it at an earlier stage, so there we are last thing on a Friday night no way to get it fixed.  Alistair almost had an apoplectic fit at him, I had to take the phone off him to continue the conversation with the boss mechanic, who further told us that the insurance might not cover it as he didn't think that it was the accident that caused the problem.  Well, this time I didn't miss him and hit the wall, but I kept icy cool and informed him that  was rubbish as they had been working on that day as it was raining sleet and had to use them.  So he said he would have to talk to his boss. Anyway, the upshot is that a new motor will be ordered and we should have the car next week sometime, and they will fit the new part free of charge as a goodwill gesture.
I'll not go on about what I replied to this, but once I came off the phone I felt absolutely sick and had a pounding headache.  I really dispair of ever having the car back.  The story goes on like some Viking saga, in fact some of them are shorter than this story.

So enough of that here is my card for today;
I've use a LOTV stamp and coloured with Promarkers, sentiment is LOTV also.  Lemon paper is from a freebie pad from a magazine and also Papermania Oriental Treasures paper, Pink co-ordinations card, Menory Box Victoria corner die, WO carnations charm from the Ribbon Girl and gems from by box. lots of Star Dust.

I really like this stamp, but haven't used it much.  In fact, while I've been crearing away Christmas crafting bits I'm coming across lots of stamps and bits and pieces i've not used yet.  I really must stop buying and learn to use up what I have.   Anyone else finding this state of things?

Well that's me for today,  enjoy the remainder of the weekend,

Kate x


Friday 4 January 2013

Cherish and Hugs!

Hello Everyone and hoping you are having a good day whatever your doing.
Thank you for the comments about Alistair's multi-coloured waistcoat, hope the brightness wasn't too much for your eyes.

I think our house is back to normal now as I took all the decorations down this morning, room looks so bare now, but it is good to have them put away for another year. It's always a good opportunity to give the place a good clean too.

It's been a really lovely day here in Inverness,I've got towels out and hopefully drying, the sun has peeked through and it's not too cold.

My card today  uses the Little Claire Club Stamp for this month and it's such a lovely one;
The Cherish Stamp set comes with 6 lovely stamps one being a large butterfly, which I've not used this time around.

I don't take credit for this design though, I have copied it from one of the LC designers, Heidi.  It's a clever little card which pulls out to reveal a sentiment and a couple of butterflies, as you can see.  The stamp comes with all that was required to make this, including the little gems, all I had to do was stamp and colour and I've used Promarkers in shades of lilac for that. I've added Star Dust for some sparkle.
The card could be for any occasion really.  I think it's rather lovely, but then I'm quite biased as I love LC stamps.

That's me for today, a bit earlier than usual.  Thank you for dropping in for a look, see you again soon.

Kate x

Thursday 3 January 2013

Alistair's Waistcoat!

Good Evening Blogging Friends,  I hope your day has been good.
  Mine has been mixed, do you ever have days when most things go wrong plus you can't settle to do anything constructive?  This is how I was today.  It started off with me phoning the garage to find out the status of our car.  Now this is something I have left to Alistair as it is really his car and I know nothing about them in any case.  However, I decided to to tackle it as I felt that Alistair doesn't ask the right questions and ends up getting angry and shouting at the person on the other end.  So, eventually I got through to the correct person and was told that he is very sorry that we have had a wait( it's been a month now), but the wrong parts keep arriving from Nissan, but he was sure that the part need would be with him today and that as the car was up on the ramp they were ready to go and that we would have the car back today.  Alistair's comment when I got off the phone was "don't hold your breath".  Well we duly got a call to say it was bad news, they had fitted the part and the ABS light was still coming on. So another part has been ordered, they think it is a magnetic bearing that's the problem now, but the mechanic feels confident that car and owners will be reuninted tomorrow. Honestly your at their mercy.  however, I kept my cool and asked politely that if indeed the car is road worthy tomorrow could they possibly bring it to us rather than us trying to find a way to their out of the way workshop.  No problem, they replied.  Alistair couldn't believe I'd requested that, said he would never have thought about it.  So, the saga goes on.  Goodness knows if we will have the car back for the weekend, but the longer it's away the more my confidence is disappearing about driving again, so fingers crossed.

What a ramble that was, no doubt I've bored you all to death.  Thank you all for the great comments left on my last post, and for taking the time to stop and peek in. I've enjoyed browsing around your blogs and seeing what you have all been doing, some great projects out there.

I don't have a card tonight, but something a bit different, it's Alistair's Waistcoat.  I finished it just before Christmas for him as he wanted something bright and colourful to wear when he's fiddling, put your dark glasses on here it is;
It's a Vintage pattern from the 40's, and men back then must have been a lot slimmer, it only just fits him.  There was only one size and i'm not good at adapting patterns.  I guess that knitters back then were much better at doing that sort of thing.  Anyway, I've used one of my favorite brands of yarn, Noro which is Japanese and it is so wonderful to knit with, albeit pretty expensive.  The back of the garment is done in a self colour 4ply.  Alistair loves it and says wearing makes his playing so much better, well..........maybe.
Thats all for tonight,  Kate x

Wednesday 2 January 2013

Art Deco Lady

Hello Folks and I hope you are all well.  I'd like to welcome May to my blog, I'm very pleased to meet you and hope you will enjoy following my blog and just as soon as I have a little time I plan to have a peek at your blog.
Thank you everyone who left comments on yesterdays blog, love to receive them.

Just a short contribution today, for some reason I feel quite tired so I'm just taking things slowly today and just pottering around the house.  I thought about going out for a wee walk but, it's got awfully dark and looks like it might rain.  Anyway, here is my card for today;
I can't take the credit for the design as it is a Papermania Art Deco decoupage card kit, butI did choose the background papers and the embellishments.  WO roses, and ribbon from The Ribbon Girl.  Gems are also from Papermania.
This card is for my daughter-in-law's birthday, I think this era in time would have suited her as I can see her in the wonderful styles of the 20s and 30s.  I hope she likes it as I hope you all do.

Have a good day whatever your doing

Kate x

Tuesday 1 January 2013

LOTV New Stamp for a New Year, Flowers!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!

Well, it's my first blog of this new year and I have to say that when I stared out sometime last year I had no idea of how much I would enjoy doing it.  When I think of how frustrating it was to get started not knowing really what to do but having heard how easy it was, which I didn't find,  here I am feeling much more confident about it all.   There are all the great folk I've met too through the blog, and the fantastic inspiration and help from them is just so wonderful. I love reading peoples stories.  It always strikes me how diverse we all are but have at least one thing in common....crafting in so many different styles.

I've had a lovely time over Christmas and New Year, and the fact that I've had such a long spell off from work is just fantastic and I've still almost a full week to go.  Only thing is that the longer I'm off the less I want to go back, oh well all good things come to an end.  I won't get depressed just yet about it.

We spend last night with friends who live on the Black Isle and had a great time with their other guests singing, eating, and drinking, and  arrived back home late afternoon in time to watch  Ben-Hur for the millionith time. 

I do have a card to share today, I'v managed to get a little ahead with them,
,
I've used one of the new LOTV stamps and coloured it with Promarkers. The sentiment is also LOTV.  papers are Papermania Lincon Green collection as are the tiny buttons, Memory Box Lacewing Butterfly die, WO flowers, and The Ribbon Girl lace.

I would like to enter this card into http://wildorchidchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/challenge-66-anything-goes.html  and

http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/challenge-149-monochrome.html

That's me for today, many thanks for stopping by and I hope if you like what you see you'll leave a comment.  In fact even if you don't like let me know you were here.

Kate x