Coming down out of the freezing sky with its depths of light, like an angel, or a Buddha with wings, it was beautiful, and accurate, striking the snow and whatever was there with a force that left the imprint of the tips of its wings — five feet apart — and the grabbing thrust of its feet, and the indentation of what had been running through the white valleys of the snow — and then it rose, gracefully, and flew back to the frozen marshes to lurk there, like a little lighthouse, in the blue shadows — so I thought: maybe death isn’t darkness, after all, but so much light wrapping itself around us — as soft as feathers — that we are instantly weary of looking, and looking, and shut our eyes, not without amazement, and let ourselves be carried, as through the translucence of mica, to the river that is without the least dapple or shadow, that is nothing but light — scalding, aortal light — in which we are washed and washed out of our bones. Author

Wednesday 14 December 2016

A Snowflakes Promise....New Challenge


Today's cards are design team makes for the wonderful team over at A Snowflakes Promise. I should have blogged yesterday but BT wouldn't let me.The internet connection was flashing on and off more than a set of disco lights..so I finally gave up. But anyway..onwards and upwards..lol. A new challenge has just begun and as always has a winter theme.This will be our last challenge of 2016..challenges will begin again on the 10th January. I have so loved seeing all the fabulous creations entered into our challenges..there has been so much fabulous work.



Our sponsors for this challenge is the fabulous team over at Limited Runs. I chose to work with this oh so cute juggling snowman. I decided to make two cards..the only difference being the colours that I've used. Depending what your own choice of Christmas colours are, this is a perfect image to use them.



So the tree is still up and I can't quite believe it but the cats have left it alone for the first time in my Christmas history. They sit by it and look at it but there has been no climbing or pulling off of decorations. Because it's all white, I'm sure that they are all just waiting for that photo opportunity..lol. They're all in and out like yo-yos at the moment..the sky is blue and there's no rain..so they're all making the most of it. In between the comings and goings, they've already caused all my pencils to end up on the floor, a stack of paper to slide and several ink pads to go on a trip off the table..such is the life of a crafter who has cat help..lol.

Well the coffee is calling and then I have to finish a set of cards. The person who the cards are for is coming to check them out before I add the final touches. I have to admit I shall be glad when they're all finished..they will be the last for other people..then I can add the finishing touches to my own. I treated myself to some Christmas bedding..it's red and white with reindeer on it and looks really cosy..I will be putting it on the bed next week, once I've washed my bedspread..it's a large fur one and is really warm..so it means that the cats can lie on it without lying on my new reindeer set. After all I would like it to be my special Christmas thing. So, with that in thought and work still waiting.. until next time..take care and happy crafting.
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Sunday 11 December 2016

Left of Center...New Challenge


Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next fortnight. The theme for this challenge is Fantasy Christmas. As always you have the option of going LOC..for all details about that, please check out the LOC blog.
 We are so lucky to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Morgans Artworld. I just adore working with their designs. I think that I have a bit of a thing for detail and love being able to take my time. For my card..which will be the Christmas card for someone special..I began by stencilling the trees and creating the background. I coloured the image with my inktense pencils and then cut the image out and added it to the background. I finally added some snowflakes.



I haven't been on much as I'm still trying to get everything finished. I've still got some presents to finish and one order that was  late coming in. I am so happy to share that my Christmas tree is up and I loved every minute of setting it up in honour of Henry. The tree is white...so very different from all my other years and has white lights. I have only a few clear crystals on the tree as well. Under the tree is white  and crystal ornaments with candles. The candles are battery operated as there is nothing the cats like better than sniffing flames. There is nothing that says bad Christmas more than the smell of singed hair..lol. I still have the mantlepiece to decorate but I may do that tomorrow. That's also going to be white and crystal with family photos taking pride of place. I've also been so lucky and have been given another white tree which has lights included..so I'm going to have that in the kitchen. The really unusual thing this year is that none of the cats have really bothered with the tree..perhaps it's because there are hardly any dangling bits on it. At least that's what I'm hoping and I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed

Well the coffee is calling and then it'll be back to work.A Christmas film is on the television and at least that will keep me in the festive mood. I hope that all your Christmas preparations are all going well. I have shopping still to do next week and then I should be organised..apart from wrapping, writing Christmas cards and cooking..lol. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.
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Sunday 4 December 2016

Left of Center.....New Challenge


Today's cards are design team makes for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative challenges. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next week. The theme for this challenge is Christmas Colours. I have chose to work with red, green and gold but of course you can use whatever colours are your favourite at this time of year. And of course, as usual, you always have the option of going LOC. For all details about that, please pop over to the LOC blog. In last weeks challenge we had 3 entries that were LOC and they were fab.


We are so lucky this week to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Kenny K. Why not pop over and take a look. There are lots of different styles and you are sure to find one that you love.



 I'm here in the mountains being driven slowly insane by the cats..all wanting to go out and then wanting to come back in because it's so cold. Gannie of course has an awful lot to say because it's quite frosty in places and he still hasn't got the hang of the crunchy stuff..lol. Nicademus keeps going to the window..looking out and then running back to his cat tunnel.  bought the tunnel as a toy for the cats and Nicademus has taken it over. Now he won't let anyone else go into 'his tunnel'. except for Obie who has been his concubine since she was 4 weeks old. She took one look at him and it's been love ever since. It's quite funny to see them both squeezed into the tunnel. At the moment Simon and Raven are wanting to go out..I know if I let them, they'll be back within minutes. I have a feeling that it's going to be one of those days..lol

Well the coffee is calling and then it's back to work.The cats are already twinkling with glitter..lol. and it's nearly time to get it out again. I'm still working on my list and finally I can see an end in sight. That is unless the phone rings again.I may even get to make my own cards sometime this week..lol. So until next time...take care and happy crafting.
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Saturday 3 December 2016

The Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge


Today's card is a design team make for the fabulous team over at The Crafting Musketeers. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the coming month. The theme for this challenge is Anything Goes. We are so lucky this month to have been sponsored by the wonderful team over at The Paper Shelter. A new company for me but such beautiful designs..why not pop over and take a look.


Here in the mountains it's quite cold..but at least it's dry. That means that most of the cats are outside making the most of it. They are all getting to accept now that the biggest cat flap in the world (the window..lol.) will be shut early and to get back in they all meow at the window. They are all in at night apart from Jeffrey who still insists in being out. I have a laugh with one of my friends who telephones me and asks about the weather. I have come to describe it by the cats on the bed. So last night was a 3 cat night..not as cold as it has been. Last week we had a 5 cat night..so you can tell how cold it was. He asked why I put up with them..he couldn't understand it..I replied that they're my family and anyway..they're like little hot water bottles that never go cold. It's really cosy all cuddled up. Ever since I was a very little girl, I've always had a couple of animals on my bed..why should it be any different now.

I think that I'm going through a little change. For the first time since Henry passed, I have decided to have a Christmas tree. I could just hear Henry..who loved the whole Christmas experience..wondering why I didn't have any decorations. So for the first time, I've felt like having a bit of a decorate. I couldn't cope with a traditional tree and getting out the family decorations..give me a few years..but have decided to go for a white tree. I have a collection of owls which I'm going to use. I actually bought some white tinsel..just one strand for the mantlepiece..and am going to get my crystals out and have a moment..maybe next weekend. I intend to enjoy the moment and play some carols. And then it will be goodness help me as Gannie and Simon have never seen a Christmas tree..so I can definitely expect some chaos. After all what would be Christmas without a bit of chaos..lol

How are you all getting on with your Christmas preparations. I'm still knee deep in glitter and as fast as I work through my list, the phone keeps ringing with people that need something. At this rate my Christmas cards will be arriving in May..lol

Well the coffee is calling and  then I'll get my head down and shake a little more glitter..lol. No doubt the cats will hear and will have to come in and help..lol. At this time of year they do have a tendency to twinkle as they move..lol. I think that glitter is just in the air at this house. I'll be back tomorrow with another design team make...so until then..take care and happy crafting.
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