Introducing ...

Aurora!

This is my beautiful new cat, a Ragdoll Blue Colourpoint, weighs a ton and is really a fluffball on legs. She arrived at the beginning of September, escorted all the way and been treated like royalty ever since.
Since losing Cassie, there was nothing for it but to fill the void (in both brain and house haha). I found this beautiful cat needed a home and after much communication with her foster-mum, Aurora was finally in the air and on her way.

Not being the strongest person in the world, and with my extra-strong friend Arfur (Arthritis), I wasn’t able to lift Aurora in her air-carrier. Many people milled around willing to help, asking what breed she is, oohing and ahhing in chorus at her fascinating blue eyes. Her foster-mum overheard a couple of pilots commenting on the lovely dog in the carrier, prior to Aurora being checked in on the aircraft. Yep, she’s big!

She’s been slowly introduced to the various rooms – sounds like we live in a castle – eh no – and has taken a great fancy to hubby’s chair, especially when he’s due home from work. Getting her special food has been nothing short of a nightmare, but success prevails and thankfully her appetite does not match her size, so what was sent with her, is still on the go, supplemented with the nearest we could get in the meantime. However, today we collect the big order of her special food and can breathe a sigh of relief.

Aurora certainly fills the void with her gentle giant personality, but is not into kitty kisses, sitting on my lap or putting her paw on my face. I’ve already taken many photos of her, but this one I found particularly touching. Hubby was fooled into thinking he’d been adopted by her when honoured with her presence on his knees for about half an hour! Then we realised it was a serious hint that he was sitting in HER chair haha

The vet is very impressed with her too and gave her the once over while we registered her. She’s in tip-top health, with one draw-back. She doesn’t announce (with one of those special meows) the imminent hairball deposit, so my toes are developing eyes haha

I miss Cassie, always will, but am so glad to have Aurora and day by day we’re learning each other’s personalities. She is truly a beauty.

'Raggy' Crafter lol :) Susan

Sad Day

Today is a very sad day for us. My darling cat, Cassie, made her way to Rainbow Heaven. We are both gutted and at a complete loss, despite knowing she was on borrowed time.

Cassie, darling, you were my constant companion for over 10 years, loyal and a true friend. I shall miss you greatly my dear friend xxx

Green cat?

I do believe our Cassie is becoming a rather environmentally friendly kitty. For quickness, I'd loaded my laptop into an available carrier bag, instead of the fancy proper case and lugged it downstairs. No sooner had I unpacked the cables etc, than Cassie dived onto the empty bag! She's been there all night!

In complete contrast, I'd spent the morning having a go with some new misty sprays (not the Tattered Angel range, I hasten to add, though I have some of them too). To my complete horror, as soon as I pressed the button, the trajectory of the spray covered a wide range of the desk. Eyes like saucers, I could only stare (or glare) at the result, as many 'in progress' pieces of work had suddenly acquired a liberal, unexpected and unwanted, blue bespeckling. It was some minutes later before noticing my hands had turned a pretty shade too. Baby wipes weren't enough to get rid of it, so a quick scamper (as quick as one can down a ladder haha) to wash it off properly with copious amounts of hot water and soap. Hands still slightly 'tinged', hoped hubby wouldn't think I'd acquired a sudden illness and whisk me off to A&E. What an experience though - never been in such a colourful mess. Will have to use a large, deep box when next using these particular sprays methinks.

No ... didn't take a photo of it, as the Bubble looks like a whirlwind stopped by for a visit. I know where everything is though - honest! (Go wash yer mouth out Susan! lol) The sun shone all day yesterday, so I managed a couple of photos of - wait for it - dandelions and daisies - in the garden.

(This one's my favourite)

To my surprise, the Reiki my sister performed on pesky arm is still working, in that I have nearly 90% movement now, so achieved loads of crafting. Had a whale of time, mostly printing on different photographic surfaces, and fine-tuning printer settings along the way. Played with a few new CDs and did one bit of stamping/embossing. Hope to get a 'one stamp' card done today (can't remember the right name of that), then focus on the Graphicus Challenge.

A curious success occurred t'other day. Upon waking, found 3 fingers had gone sort of numb/tingling for nearly 24 hours. In desperation, I borrowed one of Cassie's toys. It's a crocheted ball with a bell, full of catnip and a present from her Shetland kitty friend, Tovi. I vaguely remember my Dad using a special squidgy ball that he squeezed periodically through the day, in an effort to improve circulation. It worked. So did the catnip toy! Hey ho, so I'm a happy crafter again and off to the Bubble for a jolly good play with more goodies, even if some do turn me (and the air) blue haha.

Happy crafting everyone :) Susan

Birthday Season

It's that time of year again when I have a plethora of birthday cards to make. Must confess though to having missed a few already ... still trying to work out a way of saving grace on that.

Spent the afternoon in the Bubble hurriedly making a couple of cards. Oh to be younger and 100% fitter, would have had them made ages ago. Thankfully, amalgamating a few elements from various 'My Craft Studio' CDs came to the rescue and saved the day ... and me from another red face. I've come to enjoy using these CDs immensely as the designs can be added to, colour/size altered and if necessary, not a single embellishment needed, to create a card worthy of a smile. My young nephew is mad about tractors ... so he's very happy, especially as the tractor is decoupaged with the final set of wheels attached with brads along with foam backed tape, layered at the back to raise them from the main body and give them movement. The 'MCS' CDs I used for these cards/inserts were Sassy Chic (which arrived today ... yipee!) and elements from the Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter range.

And ... the sun shone today, at long last! The week is looking pretty good too, so I might be able to join up some freckles.

Happy Crafting!

What am I up to?

S'been a wee while since having a bit of a bloggle, purely thanks to my 'bleep bleep' arm. However ... hubby is doing a spot of spring decorating and transforming our computer room into what it originally was meant for - a bedroom, albeit a spare one. It's looking fab so far, but my darling cat keeps making a bid to be first in - she spotted the cupboard door open, it having just been glossed, and made a b-line to get into it! Thankfully, she was caught in time and deprived us of having her as an embellishment (she's long-haired) on the newly painted door. Anyway, here's a tiny clue as to what I've been up to - but bear with me - got another 35 to do!

Happy crafting :)

Mother's Day

After several unavoidable delays, eventually managed over to Mother's today, and delivered an invisible bunch of flowers, invisible box of her favourite chocolates (couldn't get to the shop today) with the promise of getting the real McCoys tomorrow. First time I've been out at all since before Christmas and the 'flu episode. Quite invigorating and even gave my new boots an airing.

Thankfully, managed to make a card from the Crafters Companion's Flower Fairies CD. This one is Zinnia with the colour altered from the orignal.
Only used three layers of decoupage, rather than the five available. Decorated with PeeWee glitter, clear gems, litte blobs of lemon Liquid Pearls on flower centres and pretty pink satin ribbon. It has a neat little card prop at the back so that it can either sit on the sideboard, or be hung on the wall via the eyelet through which the ribbon is threaded. Am I ever glad to have invested in a Crop-o-dile - fantastic piece of equipment that easily sets eyelets. Finished off with peel-off wording.

Blowing a bit of a gale, so no chance of taking photographs outside, but might manage to grab a better effort next time the sun rolls by and the weather is a lot calmer. Spent a lovely time with Mother and happy to say she loves the card. She's going to have it framed to hang on the wall :)

Unexpected Visitor

Was pottering away at some crafting, when I heard a faint flapping noise nearby. Looked up to see a lovely butterfly had made its way up into the 'Bubble' for a visit.

We've had wall-to-wall sunshine again today, so doors, windows and the curtain to my crafty sanctuary have been open. The luxury of temperatures touching almost 15c are short-lived as we're in for another round of gales and rain. Must be Equinox time again.

As you can see we are in the process of some basic draught-proofing. Sorry about the clarity, or rather lack of it, on the photo, but the butterfly landed only for a few seconds, so it was a case of quickly grabbing the camera and pushing the button. It has since flown off downstairs and no doubt out into the bright sunshine again.

Well, here we are on a lovely sunny Spring Equinox morning and Berty Butterfly is still flitting and fluttering about in the Bubble. He's giving me plenty of exercise (and distraction) trying to capture a decent photograph - and he's winning!