HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATH!

Well, our Kath, the biggest and bestest blogger in craftland, is celebrating a special birthday today, and I would like to send her my very best wishes for a lovely day.

This is my card for her, which should have arrived yesterday... along with the handful of cards I received from other bloggers to pass on to her.

And I'm afraid I have a confession.. I said I would put names in a hat for those who sent me a card for Kath, and send a small prize to someone, but guess what? I've been so busy this week, I completely forgot about that, and didn't keep a record of who sent in a card! There were at least two, though, that were anonymous, so... my apologies. If you were one of them, please let me know by Sunday, and I'll fulfil my promise to do a draw. (Now, I do have some idea who sent cards, so no cheating now! lol ;o)

Let's see if we can do this q-u-i-e-t-l-y.. (sshhhhhh)

Keeping this at the top until November. Please scroll down for new posts.

(checks back over both shoulders) S'alright... the coast is clear... but we'll have to be quick, as she's never gone for long..............

It's someone very special's birthday in a couple of weeks, and it's a very special one... almost everyone in Blogland knows her.. she's the most prolific commenter I know! As well as being a really lovely lady, and a very talented card artist....

Listen closely... I'll just whisper her name very quietly, as I know I'll be in big trouble for this... it's..

KATH..

There.. did you get that? Yes.. she of just about every DT going.

Now, her birthday is on 7th November. If anyone would like to make her a card but doesn't know her address, then tough.. I won't give it to you! Ha! lol.. BUT I will send on your cards if you get them to me before 4th November, so I will have time to package them all up and get them in the post to her in time to 'surprise' her for her birthday!(Yeh, right... like the nosy aul' besum won't know what's going on... never misses a trick...)

If you'd like my address (and I can confirm that you are a genuine crafty blogger and not an axe murderer), then please email me via my blog profile, and I'll send you MY address, not Kath's. (Not fair to do that without her permission.)

EDIT: Wouldn't it be lovely if she got 60 cards (or more) for her birthday? (Great idea, Ruth!) For every card sent to me for Kath's birthday by 4th November, I will put names in a hat for a small pressie. Don't know what yet, and it won't be much, but I'll think of something.

Hugs,

Basic Grey Challenge #9 ~ Christmas

SNOWGOOSE

My card is for this week's challenge on the Basic Grey Challenges blog HERE. The theme this time is Christmas. Show us your festive creations with a BG twist! :o)

I came across a Lilykate sheet with a flying goose on, and thought how perfect for Christmas! You know the old rhyme.. "Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, please put a penny in the old man's hat".. Remember that one?

For the holly leaves, I just drew them freehand on the back of some lovely blue BG Cupcake paper, and cut them out & inked the edges. The snowflake is a Sizzix one, and the flourishes are... hmmm.. can't remember.. Will check and let you know. If I remember. ;o)

Think I am regretting the positioning of the flourish on the left. Could have put that somewhere else to better effect, but on the whole, I think it works. No doubt 'Anonymous' would disagree, but they're history! lol ;o)

Thank You & An Apology..

Hi, all..

Just wanted to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who leaves me such wonderful, warm messages. I am really touched when people take the time, and I honestly appreciate it enormously. But I have to apologise for not getting back to many of you for a while. It takes me forever to get around everyone's blogs, and my crafting is way behind, too, so please bear with me if I haven't yet returned the compliment. I will just as soon as a I can. :o)

Meanwhile, this card is for you.

Not crafty, but GOT to have my say...

Messrs Ross and Brand messed up royally, and apparently the BBC have now had 35,000 complaints, but it's the younger end of the market.. Radio 1 listeners... that - quote - "can't see what the fuss is about". Why doesn't that surprise me?

Thing is, what Ross & Brand did wasn't nice and it was stupid, BUT it was just a catalyst for a much bigger issue to come to the fore, and I think the supposed "over-the-top" public response is a backlash against the downward slide of society towards self, self, self and sod anyone else, as long as I'm getting my needs met. And that attitude just makes my blood boil.

Some people have said that we have much bigger issues to be concerned with in the UK right now, and I can see their point ~ we do have some pretty serious issues to deal with, but I have to admit that I am chuffed to bits that this has come up, as well, and broadcasting standards might improve as a result.

The bigger issue is about treating others as you would be treated yourself.. with respect, courtesy, consideration and dignity. Humour at the expense of someone else's dignity is NEVER, NEVER, NEVER acceptable, in my view.. It is just mindless and cruel.

And another thing... when you break it right down, the cause of teen violence (or any kind of violence, come to that) is indicative of a total breakdown of respect for other people.

Coming back to Ross & Brand, if our adults (and in particular a popular pair of adults/role models like these two) behave in such a rude and disrespectful manner, what message is that sending out to our kids?

As for the punishment? Well, if it were Acme Electrical Mechanical Engineering & Co Ltd, Joe Bloggs would undergo instant dismissal without notice for gross misconduct for bringing the firm into disrepute. I doubt very much that there would be any opportunity for verbal or written warnings, or suspensions.

Nuff said.

Kath's cards..

... are beginning to arrive now, but PLEASE, PLEASE make sure you use the correct postage! I had one today that didn't. I won't embarass the person, but let me just say that a jiffy bag the size you used is more than just a 1st class stamp!! I wouldn't mind.. I mean, what's £1.06 surcharge between friends, but the biggest problem is that it's a 40 minute round trip to the sorting office, but even worse than that, is that my favourite local stash emporium is right next door, and well, you just HAVE to, don't you? So £1.06 becomes £35!!! And it's all your fault. (sigh)

;o)

Anonymous comments...

... are no longer accepted on this blog.

As it is, I use comment moderation, so no comments reach my blog unless I allow them to. Please be aware that I will report any abuse.

With apologies to the vast majority of visitors here, who are friendly, well-mannered and..... sane! For the most part, anyway.... !! ;o)

Basic Grey Challenge #8 ~ Shapes ~ Geometric Daisy

My contribution to the DT team for this week's challenge over at the Basic Grey Challenge blog, which is 'Shapes'. We're inviting you to 'get shapely' with squares, rectangles, triangles, circles, rhomboids, octagons.. you name it!

My card uses triangles for the daisy petals, squares and circles, and a plethora of different BG papers.. Two Scoops, Mellow, Archaic and the background is from an 8½ x 8½ pad of BG scrapbooking papers. The button is also BG.. Cupcake. Brads, twine and Stickles complete the picture. Oh, and the stem and leaves were hand-drawn/cut and also made out of BG paper.

Do hop on over to the blog to admire the rest of the DT's work, and take part if you can. We look forward to seeing you there. :o)

Autumn Award

Isn't this glorious? Aren't you just loving the colours in the trees right now? And on the ground where golden flakes have fallen?

I am! It's stunning. I love this annual display, and the chill in the air. Not a summer girl, me. Autumn and Spring, and winter when there's snow... Do you remember that white fluffy stuff that used to fall out of the sky?

Anyway, my lovely friend, Kath (yes the one with the birthday coming up!!) awarded this to me, and as usual, I am supposed to pass it on, so I will choose people I know have been having a tough time lately, in the hope it might bring a moment's smile.

I therefore award it to...

• Gina
• Emma
• Allison
• Jozza
• Lorraine

And if anyone else has been having a particularly tough time, please feel free to snag it for your blog, with my blessings for a lovely autumn.

Samples for Craft 4 Charity CD

Some time ago, the Funky Hand DT were asked to produce some samples from papers that Anice was asked to produce for the Craft 4 Charity CD. (For info, go HERE.)


Anice produced a mini range called 'Girls & Boys', and here are the samples I made with them. (Apologies if I have blogged these before, but I don't think I have.)

To see the fab cards the rest of the DT made, you can visit their blogs by clicking on the links in my sidebar. You may have to search around for them on their blogs, but that's no hardship, as they all have some stunning things to look at! :o)

Basic Grey Challenge #7 ~ Stitching

This week over at the Basic Grey Challenges blog, we are looking for sewing on your card or layout. Can be real stitching or faux, as long as you use something BG on your project.

I went for hand-stitching (and wished I hadn't!! It looks awful! lol) and I used BG's 'Archaic' range of papers from the 6" x 6" pad, and some buttons from the same range, and some Bazzill cardstock. The pine tree is cut using an old medium Sizzix die. Can't remember off the top of my head where the sentiment stamp is from.. will check and let you know. Brads are from Making Memories.

Please do come over and join us at the Basic Grey Challenges this week.. we'd love to have your company, and see your creations!

Giving up some DT work..

Well, I think I knew it would happen.. having a full-time job has created some pressure against fulfilling commitments to the DTs I joined a while back before the new job was on the horizon. Emma's needs for her Sassy Crafts Design Team are changing, so it seemed an appropriate moment to tender my resignation. All very amicable, and I wish Emma and her team all the very best. Don't know what her plans are, but if you fancy being part of a DT, she may welcome an expression of your interest. Would certainly be worth keeping a watch on the Sassy Crafts blog, anyway, to see the changes that are happening! :o)

Living a Life Inspired...

Came across this link while blog-hopping which took me to Donna Downey's site, and liked what she had to say about her campaign to encourage people to live an inspired life. Go HERE to see what she has to say, then tell me... what has inspired you today?

Basic Grey Challenge #6 ~ Colour Combo

Not my proudest moment, this one, I'm afraid. Tried to emulate a style I had seen in Simply Cards & Papercraft #44 by Hebe Ambler in her patterned paper masterclass, and made the alphabet out of Basic Grey Ambrosia papers. OK so far, but then I decided there was too much white space at the top, so added the Rhonna Farrer flourish as an afterthought. Not entirely sure it works, but I like the DP letters.

This week's Basic Grey Challenge is all about colour combinations...

• Green & Red/Moroon
• Brown & Cream
• Blue & Gold/Yellow/Orange

Why don't you pop over and take a look at the DT cards and have a go yourself? Would be great to see your creations! :o)

Getting my posh frock on...

... for the latest Awards Ceremony! ;o) Bling, high heels.. No? Oh. OK. But anyway wanted to celebrate receiving this award from my American blog-pal, Katie.. Thank you, Katie! :o)

This lady is not only a sweetie, but she makes LOVELY cards and layouts, so spend a few moments of your day to visit her blog and say hello.

As per usual with awards, you are supposed to pass them on, but as I've had this one a couple of times now (nice problem to have!), I've about exhausted the possibilities, so as I appreciate all my visitors and I ALL your fab blogs, if you would like it, please feel free to snag it, with my blessings for a wonderful weekend!

Salt & Pepper #2

This simple black & white plaid paper is also from Funky Hand's 'Salt and Pepper' download (available HERE). One of a collection of lovely black & white papers.

Salt & Pepper #1

Exciting news!! Anice at Funky Hand has released another download on her web-site, HERE. It's called Salt and Pepper, and features black & white papers. Love 'em! My first DT card is here, and will post the next in a minute or two.

This one is a lovely black dots on white background. Very much on trend.

'Favourite Things' Challenge by Sassy Crafts

A belated entry to Emma's intriguing challenge on the Sassy Crafts blog to produce a card using favourite things from current stash. Ooohh!! Luvly!!

So... the story behind this one is that I love lots of white space on a card, I adore black & white (although there is a subtle shade of colour on the stamped image for the eyes and lips), I love flourishes, bling, flowers, ribbons and butterflies (although my ribbon insect is kind of a butter-dragon-fly!! lol), and I love this stamp, too. The image has been cropped for this design.

I have other favourite things, too, like Funky Hand papers, Basic Grey 'stuff', brads, for instance, and snowflakes, but - well - you can't put everything on one card, can you? ;o)

To make the wings, just make two bows the same size. Pinch each of them in the middle, and secure them with glue in the centre.

Basic Grey Challenges 4 & 5 ~ Scalloped Spots

I missed last week's Basic Grey Challenge because of being AWOL from Blogland, and I am late for this week's, too, for the same reason, so decided to combine them... Susie's wonderful sketch, and this week's challenge.. to incorporate scallops into the design.

• Basic Grey DP from the Infuse & Blush range, 6"x6" papers
• Cuttlebug 'Spots & Dots' embossing folder
• Rectangular scalloped Nestibilities die
• Ribbons, brads, roses and inks from stash

Helllloooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! :o)

Well, looks like the BT saga is over with now. My new home hub is installed, and - after some teething problems - appears to have settled down. Hooray!!! :o)

Thank you for all your lovely comments. I have quite a bit of catching up to do with messages and blogs and such, so if any of you had a burning question for me that I haven't answered yet, please gimme a nudge and I'll get back to you promptly.

Also.. Big thanks to SAMMI.. I received the blog candy safely, thank you.. all the way from the land downunder. :o) Pics later.

I have made a couple of cards for DT work in the past few days, so will catch up with posting those in a little while.

Watch this space!! :o)