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 :)

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!

Graphicus March Challenge

It's late at night, or early in the morning and having finally finished my Challenge card, decided to pop it on here before hitting the sack.
Ingredients:
Card/Backing Paper: Yellow Vanguard; Green Mirri; Print from an Artylicious CD - Damask Delights
A variety of stamps: Elusive Images WIGL set words; Butterfly Daisy Collage corners; a crocus stamp; the birds from a set of Clear Art Stamps; musical squiggle from an MCS range.
Sparkle n Sprinkle EP: Palm Green; Black Stazon
Stewart Gill Mini Mezze Paints
Ancient Page Permanent Dye Ink: Palm Leaf
Satin bow, puff hearts
DST, glue gel


Method: Too tired to scribble about that, but think it's pretty obvious as it's an uncomplicated card.
After such a long, dark, wild winter, it was good to focus on something bright. I found the Stewart Gill paints gave a zing of colour that brightens the spirit (well, it does mine anyway). A thoroughly enjoyable Challenge.

Ooops ...

Or words to that effect. There I was, topping up the sugar bowl, when ...

whooooosh, thud ... the whole lot rushed out like an avalanche! Hubby rushed to get a damp (!) cloth to tidy it up - as I was standing transfixed, muttering unmentionables. Asked him to leave it as it was worthy of a photograph, and ... I could clear it up later with a dry cloth. What I want to know is, how did the sugar manage to build itself into a breeze-block, when it flowed freely on filling the wooden container this morning? One of life's little mysteries I guess. Tea anyone?

One lump ... or two?

It's supposed to be lucky to spill sugar, so here's hoping :)

Peek-a-boo!

Hellooooo everyone! My name's Cassie, the Landlady of this establishment , though I let herself think she's boss. She decided to take some pics of me in a box. I luuuuurv boxes, so this is a real treat, now that it's rid of the new boots she bought. Mind you, I might have a play with the ribbons on the side of them - looks like more fun.

Hey, Tovi! He's my buddy yonder in Shetland - HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Have you noticed I'm playing with the present you sent me at Christmas? It's full of yummy catnip ... drool.

Right ... enough already!

... or I'll meowwww for hours, or ...

... jump on your tummy while you're snoozing ha!

So I obediently put down the camera ... until the next opportunity. She's a real fluff-bug and likes to make her presence known everywhere, but I love her to bits.

Graphicus February Challenge

Ingredients:

Card: Plain white, Gold Mirri; Graphicus Textured Copper Jacquard
Paper: A slice from a Graphicus Guild paper pack (can’t believe I cut a bit!)
White Shrink Plastic
Fantasy Film: Aurora
Graphicus Stamps: Butterfly Daisy Collage and Butterfly Mandala Themeplates
Versamark Pad and Pen
Stazon: Blue: Timber Brown
Embossing Powders: Gold, Copper, Black Detail; Arctic ‘Sprinkle & Sparkle’
Glimmer Mists: Denim Blue; Honeydew; Lemon Zest; Coral
Tinkabella Inks: Teal, Yellow, Orange
Sakura Stardust Pens: Yellow, Copper
Creative Acrylics
Teal/Gold fibres
Wooden Coffee Stir Sticks
Mulberry Ivy Fronds
FlowerSoft Lettered Plant Pots
DST; Pinflair Gel; Stick n Stay Spray; High Tac tape.

Method:

Shaped 3 triangles to make the Jacquard copper roof, then using a Versamark Pen, drew roof-tiles and sprinkled with Gold EP. Repeated the process alternately adding Copper, Gold and finally Copper EP. Joined the triangles with High Tac tape, scoring fine borders on outer triangles to secure to project.

With a sponge, smudged Tinkabella Teal onto the card, sprayed layers of Blue Denim and Honeydew Glimmer Mists. Repeated the process along with a lot of artistic licence to achieve something near a Teal shade. Did the same on lower half of the card with Coral and Lemon Zest, which inadvertently blended on contact with colours above. Quite liked the effect.

On plain white card, stamped one of the Butterfly images with Versamark, adding Gold EP. Coloured flowers with Yellow Tinkabella paints and a little orange in the centres. The petals reacted with the mists underneath, so added another layer of paints. Mounted onto Gold mirri card. Stamped a duplicate image, cutting out only the daisies and coloured twice with Yellow, cut out and snipped between the petals. Glued with gel to the image. Randomly arranged the ‘HOME’ letters using glue gel.

The roof width meant using larger than A4 base card, so neatly scored and joined the front to back of another trimmed A4 card. This left a white border to which I added Gold mirri. Used a fancy corner stamp from the Butterfly Daisy Collage, inked with Versamark and gently placed the piece of acrylic onto it. Sprinkled with Arctic EP then threaded through fancy fibres, glued at various points onto Mirri card to retain twists.

Coloured wooden sticks with Brown Stazon and had a tense time attaching with glue gel to inner roof edge with opposite end flat on card. Used a variety of props to keep them in position, ranging from fingers (worse than watching paint dry haha), clothes peg, small acrylic block. In the morning the latter combination had succeeded, yippee!

Prepared larger butterflies onto shrink plastic, colouring with Sakura pens. Mounted onto the fibre attachment and roof corner. Finally, added tiny Fantasy Film butterflies stamped with Black Stazon to the yellow blooms.

This card was a true challenge as I was without specific colours to achieve my aims, but hubby has given it the smile of approval and it was fun to make, albeit mostly at the last minute. It will require a custom made box because of the roof, but for the time-being, I shall view it on the mantlepiece ... until the next Graphicus Challenge ... Happy Crafting y'all!

Butterfly Collage Stamps - Winners and Show

The winners have won and the show's been shown and what a delight it was too. Oops ... why did that bit come out in green haha Delighted for the winners and eagerly awaiting the flight of the Butterfly Collage stamps to me good ole self. Would have helped if I'd remembered to order EZ Mount, but was way too excited placing an order hoping they hadn't sold out already. So many new techniques to digest and learn ... reckon the DVD recording of the show is going to be played quite a lot. Happy Crafting :)

WIN - New Butterfly Collage Stamps

There are a couple of beautiful sets of new stamps to be won on the Graphicus Elusive Images Design Team Blog http://elusiveimagesdesignteam.blogspot.com/ , and if you're a Blogger, a double crack at the whip to win (read the instructions). The stamps look wonderfully versatile and my mind's working overtime on how many techniques can be used with them in creating some wonderful results. I, for one, can't wait to get my paws on them, get crafting and show off the results here, good or bad, they look a joy to use and that's what crafting is all about - fun. Glenda Waterworth of Graphicus will be showcasing the stamps on Create and Craft television (Sky 671), or via C&C's live feed on their website http://www.createandcraft.tv/ at 1pm GMT. Roll on Tuesday 10th February! Good luck y'all and Happy Crafting :)

My First Graphicus Challenge

Well, HELLO and Happy New Year to everyone! It's been a while since having a good ole bloggle thanks to a month of 'flu, the remnants of which departed only in the last couple of days. Our celebration of Christmas and New Year amounted to plenty of fluids (water) and a myriad of remedies that induced inordinate amounts of sleep. Crafting was out of the question - added to which, even if I'd felt fine, the weather scuppered any craft time in the Bubble owing to an abundance of frequent storms. As it is, today has been a bit of a rush against the weather as it's batten down the hatches time again for the next few days, with winds already increasing and the inevitable ban from the Bubble imminent when the loft hatch is secured in the next couple of hours - for about 3 days!

I've invested (so far!) in one set of Spring Fever Glimmer Mists and two individual shades - Pink Taffy and Coral, so decided to be brave in a first attempt at a Challenge set by Graphicus - Celebration/Plum/Gold. The Glimmer Mists are fun to use and I can see why folk find them very addictive in creating all sorts of shades. For this Challenge I only used two and very tentatively at that as it's a new technique for me.

Ingredients:

A4 Hammer Card
Purple Mirri Paper
Gold Mirri Card
Double Sided Sticky Tape and Pinflair Gel Glue

Glimmer Mists: Pink Bubblegum, Rum Raisin
Sakura Glaze Pens: Forest Green, Yellow. Stardust: Pink shade
White Shrink Plastic
3mm Burgundy Satin ribbon
Gold, Silver, Purple rhinestones

Black Stazon

Versamark
Versacolor pigment ink: Peony, Gold

Jewelled Gold Embossing Powder
Elusive Images stamps: Pansy/Script; Oriental Themeplate - Good Deeds
Creative Acrylics: Celebration

Backing Papers from Artylicious CDs - which I printed on both satin and glossy paper ages ago and need to check to see from which CDs they were taken.

Method:

All backing papers were mounted onto gold mirri card using DST and randomly placed on the base card. The Glimmer Mists were sprayed from about 12-18 inches, again quite randomly, but used more of the Pink Bubblegum directed towards the flower and bud areas. Dried using heat tool as I was impatient to wait for the results if left to air dry. Used the Sakura pens on leaves and a little yellow in the flower centre. Smudged the Peony Versacolor round the edge of the card, then mounted it onto gold mirri.

Did much the same with the shrink plastic version, shrunk it then buffed most of the Glimmer Mists off with kitchen towel. Emphasised the leaves and petals with Sakura pens. Glued it onto hammer card and edged that with Gold Versacolor, then added a burgundy ribbon. The little card is suspended from the 'Celebration' embellishment with a fine purple thread. The leafy image inside and on the back of the little card is from the Oriental Good Deeds set using Peony Versacolor. The wording is from the same set and stamped inside using Versamark and Jewelled Gold EP.

Peony Versacolor was smudged onto the wording of the Creative Acrylic 'Celebration' tag and buffed, then glued to the card. Hid the holes with silver rhinestones and added a burgundy bow to the side.

Then it was time to take photos, loads of them and I'm still not happy with the results as nothing will ever show how lovely the card really is, but I hope it conveys the idea. It was great fun to make and weather permitting, I might have a bash at another Graphicus Challenge ... one day.