Craft Life

Winter Wonderland........

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:47:00 +0000

Is the theme of the Penny Black Saturday challenge. I also set myself a mini challenge to not just use blues.

So that's another Christmas card done.

More tomorrow. And then hopefully some craft shopping!!

** Kate **

Monday Musings #12

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:38:00 +0000

A jokes a joke, even when it's a bad one. So today I wanted to share a competition entry from earlier in the year which was on the theme of favorite jokes.

Groan, an oldie but a goodie?

One thing that's been no joke this weekend is the weather. As I look through the window now a gale is wreaking the garden. A constant reminder of the far worse weather that has hit the north of the UK.

** Kate **

Scraplings

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:28:00 +0000

Sounds like something from Star Wars, doesn't it? "Observe the Scraplings Luke, learn from them, be mindful"

In fact it's the art of using up off-cuts of card to make mini-cards, tags or even little albums. It's also the current challenge over at the Daring Card Makers.

I've got a few little scraplings on the go at the moment but this is the only one completed. It's made of the off-cut left from yesterday's BoBunny card.

Simples!

Lost all my enthusiasm for Internet shopping yesterday as the computer is taking so long to switch between pages once you are in a site, it's just not worth trying. I think it's the latest upgrade of my security system. It has decided the Internet is so unsafe It doesn't want me to use it at all! Thank goodness Blogger is still working OK.....famous last words!

** Kate **

Missing photos and missed challenge

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:39:00 +0000

1st missing photos from yesterday. This necklace I made for me and have been wearing the last couple of days.

A little bracelet to put in the gifts/for sale box.

And a necklace which I hope shrieks sophistication.

I've got a card finished but I missed the challenge deadline. It was for the Christmas card sketch over at BoBunny.

I think that's about it for today, off to do a sneaky bit of Internet shopping cos I can't find what I want.

** Kate **

Mojo musings

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:26:00 +0000

Totally lacking mojo this weekend. It has taken a hike, perhaps even gone on a world tour.

My musing for today is this, and had Einstein still been with us I'm sure he would already have the formula worked out :

Creative inspiration is inversely proportionate to time available.

That is to say when you have absolutely no time what ever available to craft your ideas are limitless and you are sketching out little ideas on the backs of envelopes in the Post Office queue. Conversely, when you have set aside loads of time at the weekend, and have a whole list of things that need doing, you will create nothing.

Did manage to brings a few pieces of jewellery together on Sunday night, but there has been no chance to photograph them in the light today.

So here instead is the Dinky Diva and Small-N-Grubby with their ballet medal booty. Yep it was that time again this weekend, it came around really fast.

Fingers crossed for the return of inspiration tomorrow.

** Kate **

Friday Already

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:16:00 +0000

The Small-N-Grubby one has been very poorly but finally went back to school yesterday, only to get soaking wet again on the way home. Fingers crossed that his immune system is back up to full strength.

Yesterday was spent catching up with mundane things and going into town to pay bills and pick up shopping. SMO, Branston and I treated ourselves to lunch in Waitrose and it was nice to get out of the house.

My plan for the weekend is to catch-up with crafty jobs which should include :

Card making challenges
Missed birthday presents
Christmas presents
Christmas cards
Making jewellery to sell
Catching-up on forums
Preparing excess stash for a table sale

I wonder how much of that will get done!!!!

** Kate **

Monday Musings #10

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:20:00 +0000

Small-N-Grubby is still off sick. He has added an itchy rash to his list of symptoms. Having him at home for a few days has led me to the conclusion that :

There is no toy more interesting than the one your brother is playing with!

(Picture taken back in the summer)

The Daring Card Makers this week are using kraft cardstock in their projects. This is mysterious stuff that looks like plain cardboard. I couldn't find any in time to make my card so I have used a couple of shades of brown (which aren't really as dark as they look in this picture).

The bird stamp is one of my newest purchases by My Minds Eye.

** Kate **

Just one of those days

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:32:00 +0000

Small-N-Grubby has been under the weather for a few days , we thought he was on the mend until he threw up his breakfast this morning. Despite this I still got to escape to a Christmas Fayre with my sister, but it was very disappointing and we came away with nothing. Thinking about it afterwards there were at least 3 stalls I remember buying from last year that weren't there this time. Anyway, it put a dampener on the morning.

I hadn't been home long enough to put the kettle on when the electricity went off. There was a very helpful message when I rang the supplier saying that an underground cable had been severed and so the power had been switched off for safety reasons. The repair was expected to take all afternoon.

SMO took the Dinky Diva and Branston out for a walk and I tried to persuade Small-N-Grubby that the best place for him was under the duvet. SMO arrived back with takeaway coffees just as the power came back on about 3.30. He passed me the drinks and then went back outside to get the pushchair. I warmed my hands on the cup and was completely oblivious to the fact that he had tripped out the door, twisted his ankle and rolled down the road. Apparently, people coming out of the corner shop rushed across the road to help him as his tumble looked so impressive.

Early nights all round I think.

** Kate **

BasicGrey Photo Inspiration

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:33:00 +0000

There is a challenge currently over at BasicGrey with a photo for inspiration. It's an interior design picture with lots of deep burgundies and stripes.

So I set to work on a card using a piece of Mellow paper which has undertones of the right vibe. I coupled this with some Anna griffin burgundy, but the papers were double sided and I accidentally stuck it down green side up. So this is the not quite right card.

The branch stamp is by My Minds Eye and is one of my craft shop buys this week.

Then I found a chipboard frame that I liked and started again with some more Mellow paper and this is where I ended.

After that it was using up the leftovers to increase the Christmas card supply.

At this rate I will reach the 50+ I need in plenty of time, famous last words!

I needed a new baby card this morning and reached for another of my new stamps.

This one was being unpacked when I was at the shop and I just had to have it. His name is Koetie (don't know how you pronounce it) and I think he and his little friend are just adorable.

I stamped him in VersaMagic Oasis Green for a softer look, but actually the details on the stamp are so fine it doesn't look too heavy in black. I'm just finishing one where I have coloured it in purple and I have plans to make him into a Christmas card and nursery rhyme card too so he is very good value for money.

** Kate **

NEC Crafts for Christmas

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:47:00 +0000

Had a bit of a re-organise on the blog, not quite how I want it yet, but getting there.

Crafts for Christmas starts today at the NEC (runs 5-8 Nov) and hopefully Creative Moments will have taken some of my latest projects with them. Lots of lovely Prima supplies were involved.

If you're going I hope you can try and find Claire and Margaret on the stand and have a look at the projects.

I've had a bit of a craft spend of my own yesterday at a nearish shop. Lots of new stamps to play with, just have to find time now to get making!

** Kate **

Packing a Punch

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:32:00 +0000

Yep this week's Daring Card Makers has got some punch, cos that's the theme! Your most recent punch to be exact, which in my case is a pine branch, I think.

I've also incorporated 2 of my most used punches, a large scallop and a circle that fits inside. Rather than punching the stamped image out, I've punched the circle and then punched the scallop over the top to get a frame. The papers and embellishments used are Anna Griffin.

Once my main card was done I set to work on a batch of Christmas cards following Kathy's theme of Cuttlebug backgrounds with a few added extras.

In this case the extras are again from Anna Griffin.

When I bought my Christmas embossing folders and dies (last January in a closing down sale) I couldn't resist adding this one to the pile.

I haven't worked out how else to use the scene yet, but found this double sided card really useful as I made the whole thing from one cut.

Lastly, it's been far too long since I got the Patchwork Pals out so I have updated a Christmas card over here too.

** Kate **

Monday Musings #9

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:57:00 +0000

Cute photo overload this weekend with lots of firsts for the Branston Pickle.

We went on a spooky treasure hunt at old Sarum on Friday looking for pumpkins in the style of famous characters from history. Here's Small-n-Grubby with Henry VIII.

Lots of running up and down battlements and ruins.

SMO and Branston contemplate the defences.

On Sunday Branston tried out a puddle suit his cousin had grown out of (thank you very much). He loved it as we no longer had to remove him every time he found some muck to get into. How cute is he? (Not that I am biased or anything.)

He loves water, any he can find.

Later he managed to fall from this step and has a grazed face to prove it.

Despite the torrential rain in the morning we were even able to get him onto Granddad's allotment for the 1st time. Here seen helping Small-N-Grubby with a thoughtful moment.

** Kate **

P.S. yes the pumpkin was Pooh. By Sunday morning Branston had stolen his ears and tried to eat them so he looks even sorrier for himself now!

Happy Halloween

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:02:00 +0000

Perhaps I should give a blog prize if you can guess who it is supposed to be, lol?!?!

** Kate **

A day out to Creative Moments

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:44:00 +0000

Yesterday I decided to combine the delivery of my latest batch of DT work with a day out and some shopping too. So I hopped on the train with SMO and Branston Pickle in tow and took the 45 minute journey to Yeovil.

We found Creative Moments quite easily at the top of the main shopping area. It's a small shop but packed to the rafters with really great craft goodies. I met the lovely proprietors Claire and Margaret and sent SMO off to find some lunch while I had a really good shopping session.

My latest DT pack was full of Prima goodies and there were loads more in the shop. I really enjoyed working with the Pebbles, little glass domed embellishments, and had to get some for myself.

I also bagged a Prima stamp with sticky jewels included in the pack.

Well worth a visit if you're in the area. But, if not they have a great site here with P&P at just £1.

The next show Claire and Margaret are off to is Crafts for Christmas at the Birmingham NEC 5-8 November (stand F36 I think) and hopefully some of my Prima makes will be on display there.

Although the post had ground to a stand still, I did receive some goodies from Craft Stamper earlier in the week.

Really cute and summery, I want to have a go with them but I really must restrict myself to the C-word. In fact as October has practically finished I think it can officially be time to get ready for Christmas!!

** Kate **

Monday Musings #8

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:06:00 +0000

My thoughts today are :

DT deadlines + Half-term + Postal strike = NOT fun.

Over at the Daring Cardmakers the theme this week is 'Favorite Things'. I won't have time to play along this week but it did remind me that I had made a scrapbook page with that title. It was back in 2007 when I 1st discovered how much I enjoyed scrapbooking.

It was called 'The sound of crafting'.

The rhyme, which just about fits the tune, goes :

Raindots on roses

And Fiskars cut borders

Bright copper eyelets

And worn chipboard corners

Brown paper packages tied up with Bling!...........

I made all of the individual items, photographed them, then made them into a page. I submitted it it for publication but it wasn't accepted. It's still one of my favorite pages as crafting is one of my favorite things.

Should update you on the 'Wacky tri-athlon', he made it. SMO finished the Great South Run in 2 hours 4 minutes and got back home in time to play cricket in the evening!!!

** Kate **

Wacky Races Tri-athlon

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:14:00 +0000

Today SMO embarks on the weirdest tri-athlon you will have heard of yet.

The 1st leg is a tedious train journey to Portsmouth via Basingstoke at 6am this morning. Plenty of opportunities to fall asleep and end up in Birmingham. But I can confirm that he has made it past the 1st hurddle and is in Portsmouth.

The 2nd leg is to 'run' the Great South Run in aid of The Prostate Cancer Charity. I say 'run' as he has had no practice, is carrying his bag, and has a dodgy knee - so for 'run' read walk.

Then, after a hopefully shorter train journey home, he will play cricket this evening!!

Good luck - love you even if you are insane!

** Kate **

Half-Term

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:33:00 +0000

Yep half-term starts here for us. SMO finishes his job today and so will probably be around for most of half-term. This is handy as I have DT work to do. I might even have to deliver it in person, watching the development of the postal strike with interest.

Quieter day yesterday, although the visit to the dentist on Tuesday wasn't all that pleasant.

TV and pyjama day today me thinks!

** Kate **

Is it Friday yet??

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:16:00 +0000

It feels like it, what a day yesterday turned out to be.

Dashed round to mum's to see what the panic was. The window had flown open fully and jammed. The neighbour had put all her (considerable!) weight behind it and tried to force it shut, buckling the metal mechanism. I was sent up a ladder to fix things, but could only just reach on tip-toe. It wasn't going to bend back without tools and considerable force.

My next mission was to visit the several people in the street who were having work done to see if their builders could be borrowed. It was a 1st for me, door to door, looking for strong helpful builders. I found one little old man that was shorter than me. He looked at the window, rubbed his chin and said we'd need to replace the bent mechanism. Now actually we knew this, we just wanted to get the window shut. The house had a gale blowing through it and couldn't be left like that over night.

We were quite chilly by now so we made baked spuds in the microwave and had a bit of lunch. Then, what do you know, like number 7 buses, 3 builders arrive at once.

They stand around collectively rubbing their chins at this point. #1 builder, a DIY enthusiast from 2 doors down has a go with a set of pliers and gets some way to bending back the metal. But it must be dead straight for the window to shut.
He hands over to the professionals, currently working on a loft conversion 2 doors down in the other direction. They finally get the job done and kindly arrange to get the parts to fit a new mechanism (hopefully later today).

By now it's time to go up to school and collect the kids. I've got nothing done but at least mum is sorted. Go to collect the Dinky Diva and she arrives with a piece of paper and a tied plastic bag. The paper says she has collided with another girl, fallen over backwards and smacked her head on the concrete playground. She shows me a nice egg shaped, graze and bloody lump on her head. But what's in the bag?? Her school clothes. Apparently another girl threw up over her.

So I end my day sponging another girl's vomit out of my daughters school shoes.

I've got the dentist this afternoon, it'll be a breeze!

** Kate **

Quick Monday Musing

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:47:00 +0000

Not what I had planned. Mum has just called to say that a neighbour has broken the mechanism on my mum's front window so that it is wide open and won't shut. I have a rescue mission to go on.

In the meantime, I was looking for photos to scrap over the weekend and found this which reminds me just why he is called 'Small-N-Grubby'.

** Kate **

Where have the days gone

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:27:00 +0000

I don't know where the days have slipped away to this weekend.

We were very cultured yesterday and visited some of the destinations on a local art trail. The Dinky Diva looked through the catalogue at the ones she liked the look of and then we planned a short route taking in as many of them as we could. Some were in big studios and colleges, but our favorite was in someones basement only a few streets away. Amazing to discover things right under your nose.

Today we have the very antithesis, we're going to spend the afternoon at a car boot sale. Haven't been to one in ages and my expectations of snagging a bargain are high.

** Kate **

More Halloween

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:11:00 +0000

Lovely Claire and Margaret sent me so much stash in my 1st DT kit that I ended up making 10 Halloween projects. So here are some more.

An invitation to a haunted house party.

A spooky altered notebook,

And there's always a big enough supply of off-cuts for ATCs. In this case a set of 3.

Then there was the rest of my party goodies. A sign.

A banner.

Cute place names.

And not forgetting the yummy bits.

Nothing to do with the DT work, just gluten free buns for my reward at the end!

** Kate **

Halloween

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:01:00 +0000

Some of my Halloween DT work for Creative Moments today.

This little guy is a friend of the Branston Pickle and his mum very kindly let me use the photo of him that I had taken in the summer.

Just shows you don't have to have a Halloween topic to use Halloween supplies.

This is a little party bag I made.

I made quite a few things along a party theme and then set up a little party photo shoot before I sent everything off. I'll find some more of the photos for tomorrow.

The supplies used were mainly from the Imaginisce Hallowhimsy line.

Creative Moments have announced a fantastic line-up for a mega event in May 2010. Scrap-A-Mia! The details are here and on the shop blog. I think I am going to have to book a place at this one. have you seen who the event teachers are?!?!?

** Kate **

Purple Autumn

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:45:00 +0000

Another Autumn themed challenge to distract me from my Christmas makes, this time at the Daring Card Makers.

Not just Autumn mind you but 'Purple Autumn'. I decided to experiment with a design I had seen in blue and silver on a book jacket.

Some bits didn't quite go as planned but I think I might use a bit more heat embossing on some of my Christmas cards.

There were no bridges to build yesterday, I just thought the little red bridge looked cute and that if you crossed over it you might find little imps and fairies.

Feeling much better after spending most of Saturday in bed, but got very little crafting done.

Today my thoughts have turned to dog insurance, do I renew? The Hairy Horror is getting on in years and not only have they added £100 to our usual premium, they have hiked up the excesses and exclusions. This means we would get very little benefit from claiming unless she was involved in some terrible accident or ate someone who then sued us. I'm going to give them a ring and see what they have to say for themselves. Regrettably, it is likely that, due to her age, she will die in the next few years, 5 if we are lucky, so they have excluded death by illness! I have paid at least £2000 to them in the last 10 years and I feel that enough is enough.

** Kate **

Monday Musings #6

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:49:00 +0000

#6 already!

Little red bridge of happiness.

So what do we know about bridges.

"Don't cross a bridge until you get to it."

"It's all water under the bridge."

"The hardest thing in life is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn." (David Russell)

I quite like Oscar Levant's comment of a politician "He'll double cross that bridge when he comes to it."

** Kate **

Copic Colour Challenge

noseycritters@talktalk.net (Kate) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:54:00 +0000

At Copic Colour Challenge this week I almost have the correct colours (2 out of 3), so I just had to join in.

I tried to copy the colour chart from their blog but it just came out huge so you will have to pop over there if you want to see them. They are Pale Olive, Garnet and Cool Grey.

Here's my card made using some cute free stamps that came with Card Making and Papercraft magazine.

And this is the card inside.

The patterned paper is from Anna Griffin.

Looking forward to a long lie-in tomorrow, so wait for my next blog entry something is bound to have happened to stop me! Supreme Commander Branston has had a cold and I think he has kindly passed it on to me. He's fine, other than refusing to sleep in his own bed. My throats really hurting and I doubt my voice will last through Rainbows tonight. Added to that I have an ulcer on the end of my tongue, so I am feeling quite sorry for myself.

Tomorrow's plan :

Lie-in
Make crafts
Go shopping
Have afternoon nap
Make crafts whilst SMO makes tea
Watch TV
Sleep

Well I can dream, can't I???

** Kate **