"With Little Tin Horns And Little Toy Drums, Rooty Toot Toots And Rummy Tum Tums..."

 

With my last post of 2013 I am finishing the year off with one of my absolute favourite images from Kenny K, she is called 'Bow' and comes in two versions, one in her underwear and the one that I have used where she is sans undies. I just love how easy this one is to colour and the finished product always looks really striking, her eyes are just so pretty and let's be honest, who could resist pulling such a large bow eh? I have gone for a non-traditional hair colour for a change as I get a little bored with the hair and I like to keep things fresh as I have coloured this particular lady quite a few times now.

I have used a Basic Grey paper for my background and the dies are Spellbinders and Marianne's and the pearls around the edge are bought by the metre from Let's Create, Coningsby. I really like the clean look of the finished card and as usual Gentle Reader, I hope you like it too.

 

I do have a bit of news for you, I have been chosen by the Kenny K Krafty Krew to become a member of their 'Core 4' for 2014. We will not exactly be on the design team but, as far as I understand, we will be their In-House Guest Designers. Anyone who has visited my blog more than once will know how much I love Kenny's images, they have been my favourite for quite a few years now and I am delighted to be given such a high honour, I can't wait to start getting involved in the Pinterest and Facebook sides of Kenny's ever burgeoning empire.

 

2013 has been an eventful year as usual, I have once again had to deal with medical problems galore and also try my hardest to help my wife who is in an even worse state than me! But the year has finished on a bit of a high note with my son being in love again (so finger crossed for my grandchild sooner rather than later!!) and Jo and I celebrating our 16th anniversary on the 23rd December.

 

My favourite things of 2013 have been:

 

Song: Naughty Boy (Feat. Sam Smith) - La La La

Album: Rudimental - Home

Book: Lee Child - Worth Dying For

Film: Man of Steel

TV Show: The Blacklist (USA) or The Bridge (Norway/Sweden)

Reality TV: I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! or The Great British Bake Off

Person: Jo Channon (Let's Create and Create and Craft)

Item of Clothing: Onesies

 

Anyhoo, that's it from me, hope to see you again in 2014,

Wishing you a Fantastic Christmas
and a Wonderful New Year
hugs 'n stuff

Andy

xx

 

Entered Into: Kenny K Krafty Krew Challenge #162 - Anything Goes!
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes Christmas + Hop
Bearly Mine Challenge #117 - Anything Goes
Clear It Out Challenges - Theme: Warm Fuzzies Stash: Use Something Textured
Die Cuttin' Diva's Challenge #146 - Happy Holidays
Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenges #14 - Use Punches and Dies
Ladybug Crafts TLT Challenges - Keep It Clean (and Simple!!)
LEJ Designs Challenge #84 - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly Challenges - Last Christmas (Card of the Year)
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #146 - What Christmas Means To You

"And Now I Think Of My Life As Vintage Wine..."

 

Hello again Gentle Reader, how have you been? All ready for Christmas yet? We have finally finished all the pressie shopping this week and bar having to go to work for another few weeks I am really looking forward to it this year.
Now I know the title of this entry is from the Sinatra song "It Was A Very Good Year" (in case you hadn't noticed yet, all my post titles are song lyrics!) and for Jo and I it has,by and large, been a fairly decent year for a change. The news this week though has been a proper downer, first we lose Paul Walker, a man most people will only know from the Fast and the Furious franchise but he was more than that for me, I thought he was quite under-rated and I really loved his performances in the excellent Clint Eastwood Directed "Flags Of Our Fathers", horror-flick wannabe (but still a darn good thriller) "Roadkill" and the incredibly stirring true story "Eight Below" which is more endured than watched, as good as it was there is no way either one of us could sit through it again, it is just toooo sad for words. To die in such a horrific manor and by someone else's hand (accidentally or not) is just tragic, but to have died aged only 40 years old just breaks my heart. If you have never seen a "Fast" movie, give the first one a go, if you like that you will love the rest and I will definitely be going to see number 7 in the Summer.
But that wasn't the saddest news of the week was it? People all over the world will be genuinely mourning the passing of Nelson Mandela. How could one man's personal war against his own countries injustice to it's native people be felt so deeply? by so many and not just in his own country but the whole world over?
I was at work on the day in 1990 when Nelson was released from Victor Verster prison after serving 27 years and while there weren't a lot of black faces in the Royal Air Force, there was a black Sergeant working in Operations that day and if anyone needed to know what Nelson's struggle meant they only had to see this grown man going from tears to whoops of delight literally in the same breath to know how deeply he felt this man's plight.
So join me in a quick prayer, wishing them both all our love and peace and also sending our thought to their families in this, their darkest hour.

On to my card (and possibly the last one of 2013, I'm not sure yet!!) and it's Magnolia time again. I have used one of their latest Christmas release stamps and isn't he a little sweetie? I have used a mixture of Basic Grey and Wild Rose papers, dies from Spellbinders, Dee's and I think Marianne and the usual suspects - flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, ribbon, pearls and glitter from my stash. As usual I hope you like it and I will be back again soon, either to let you know I am finished for the year or to post one last card for you.
Take Care,
hugs 'n stuff,
Andy
xxxx
Entered Into: Basic Grey Challenge #108 - Christmas
Colour Me Creative Classroom Challenge #83 - Holiday
Crafty Calendar Challenge - Cold and Frosty
Digi Designs Challenge - Christmas in Non-Traditional Colours
Hiding In My CraftRoom Challenge #127 - Holiday Colours
Little Claire's Challenge #39 - Christmas Theme
My Time To Craft Challenge #226 - Cute and Cuddly Christmas Animals
Tilda's Town Challenge #82 - Winter Wonderland

"He's Trying To Find Out Who's Naughty Or Nice..."

Hiya, I'm back again as promised. So go on then, what have you been this year? I have most definitely tried to be Nice and I think I have pulled it off most of the time, it's not always been easy though when you work in the retail sector!! but this year I have made a concerted effort to not drag myself down to other people's levels. For the longest time, when a customer annoyed me I felt it was okay to basically slag them off after they had driven off - I thought this was a win/win situation because they couldn't hear what I was saying about them (good for customer relations!!), I also got to get things off my chest when it happened, thus not taking my negativity home with me. Now though I just let it go, I don't hang on to it and if I find myself cursing them in my head, I tell myself off and just let it go. This had been really beneficial as it has really stopped me getting so wound up and I feel much healthier mentally.

On the Good News front, I saw The Darkness (again) on Tuesday night. They were, of course, A-May-Zing. They played some rare tracks (including their awesome brand new single which had only been released that day), some B-Sides and a few other hits and then they finished off the second half of the show by playing 'Permission To Land' their first album, in full, from track 1 to track 10 and it was a pure rock moment. Now rock isn't usually my thing, I do like a few bands (Queen, Daughtry, Bon Jovi) but generally I am an R 'n B/Hip-Hop kind of fella but there is something really, really special about this band, Justin Hawkins is one of the finest lead singers to ever stand in front of a mic.

Jo and I managed to spend a fortune on Monday when we went Xmas shopping - but I guess I am now preaching to the choir eh! We are almost done now, just a couple of last minute gifts to get my son and I think we are finished so it's not all bad. I actually enjoyed it this time, the shop was quite Christmassy but without all those really annoying Christmas songs we have all heard a million times over and the shop wasn't overcrowded with people who just really don't want to be there and take great pleasure in running their trollies into your shins!

Anyhoo, that's my news and now on to my card. I wanted to make a Christmas card with a difference and I think I have succeeded. I have used a Kenny K image, a Memory Box die (the bauble), a Marianne die (Christmas trees) and a X-Cut die (the alphabet), the papers came free with a magazine and for a pleasant change they weren't made of that flimsy paper that was used to make toilet rolls in the 1970's!

Hope you like the card and I hope you are as up to date with your shopping as we are 'cause the closer to xmas we get I do not envy those that haven't!

Have a great week,

take care and

Hugs 'n Stuff,

Andy

xxx

Entered Into:

Kenny K Kraft Krew Challenge #160 - Anything Goes
Addicted To Stamps And More! Challenge #73 - Holidays
Baffles Kreativladen Challenge #26 - Anything Goes (Alles Erlaubt!)
The Crafter's Café Challenge #39 - Anything Goes
Crafting By Designs Challenge - Christmas/Winter
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #170 - Christmas
4 Crafty Girlz Challenge #7 - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #297 - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge #94 - Any Sentiment
Copic Marker Europe Challenge # 23 - Everything About Christmas
I Heart ProMarkers Challenge #196 - Anything Goes
Inklings and Yarns Challenge #37 - Anything Goes
 

"But The Fire Is So Delightful..."

 

Hi Ho Gentle Reader,

let me begin a post without an apology but an explanation instead.

It's been a good few weeks since my last post and the reason I haven't posted is I simply haven't had anything new to show you! I was tempted to repost a really old card but instead I decided to wait until I had something new for you instead and this is what I have come up with, another white on white card but with a wee twist.

For the base I used a musical embossing folder and then all the dies used are from Spellbinders. I have finished it off with a couple of stamps (the sentiment and the mistletoe leaves) and a small silver snowflake charm. I got the idea for the giant snowflake (behind the sentiment plaque) from a card by Sue Wilson which she had on a Create and Craft show.

 

So, I believe there are only five weekends left 'til Christmas!

Jo keeps asking me if I feel 'Christmassy' yet but if I am totally honest with you I think the Christmas spirit left me quite a few years ago now. I am not saying that I hate Christmas or anything like that, I just kind of feel like I have finally outgrown it. I am 50 next year, an age that absolutely fills my heart with horror, but I no longer get overly bothered about my Birthday (unless it's a milestone one!!), it's just another day really and I feel pretty much the same about Christmas. We get ourselves into such a state, shopping like we are possessed, fretting over the 'just perfect' present and sweating over an overworked oven and for what ? One day a year, a day that is meant to celebrate the birth of Out Lord but we are so brainwashed by the TV that we only know that Christmas is really on it's way when we hear the Coca Cola advert singing 'The Holidays Are Coming, The Holidays Are Coming'!!

As a holiday, it pretty much means that mums everywhere start working 80 hour weeks about three weeks from the big day and by the time the day itself finally arrives most of us are left feeling deflated and a little remorseful by ten O'clock in the morning. Our solution; crack another tinny open! Christmas seems to be the only day of the year when it become acceptable to start drinking strong alcohol before we even eat breakfast. Every year we are given presents by family members who suddenly seem to show a startling lack of knowledge about the gift's recipient, I for one always seem to be given a bathroom set that has a large bottle of bubble bath or bath salts, of course  this would be lovely if I only had a bath!! We live in a very small bungalow and as space is at a premium we have only ever had a shower in the bathroom, something you would think friends and family alike would notice when they visit. I know you will be thinking 'It's the thought that counts' but I'm sorry, when there has been no though put into the gift then I would sooner have a warm handshake or a cuddle from someone than a gift that has been given with no consideration to you at all. Whoever I buy a gift for, whether it's a token gift for a work-mate or a more expensive present for a loved one, I spend all my time thinking about what to get them, I want people to know that they mean something to me, not that they have just about managed to remember my name!

Gosh, you must be thinking I am the world's worst Scrooge by now but I can assure you, I DO enjoy the day usually (assuming Jo an I haven't been sent to our bed by some mystery virus - something that has happened too often to be funny!), I love the exchanging of gifts with my wife, the most thoughtful person I have ever had the pleasure to know, I love visiting my Goddaughters to give them their gifts and I even love the huge Sunday dinner that comes with all the trappings!, but if the Government were to announce tomorrow that Christmas had been cancelled then I don't think I would lose any sleep over it.

I'm sorry if this little rant  upsets you in any way but I feel I have to tell it like it is here, this is my chance to let you know what I really think. If you want to let me know what you think then please leave me a comment, I love hearing from you.

Before I go I must say a big thank you and a hello to my latest followers,

so until next time,

Hugs 'n Stuff,

take care,

Andy

x o x o

Entered Into:
Cards Und More Challenge #94 - Baby, It's Cold Outside
Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes/Put A Snowflake On Your Card
Crafty Sentiment Designs Challenge - Christmas
Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenge #10 - Make It Fancy
Sweet Stamps Challenge #144 - Anything Goes
Through The Craft Room Door Challenge - Nov 19 - 25th Anything Goes
Try It On Tuesday Challenge - White On White
Anonymous Stamps Challenge - Anything Goes
Artistic Inspirations Challenge #68 - Anything Goes/Friendship
The Crafty Bloggers Challenge - Christmas
Created With Love Challenge #67 - Anything Goes
Creative Creations Challenge #63 - Sparkle And Shine

"Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful..."

Hello Gentle Reader, I hope you are keeping well. It's been fairly quiet here over the last ten days or so, what with our various ailments, Jo and I rarely leave the house these days. If we want anything we use the Internet, with ASDA's Home-Shopping being the greatest use of the web ever.

Of course, you can't use the Interweb when it comes to visiting family or friends and trust me, if I could find a way around that I would! So Jo and I went to my son Liam's house last week to meet his new girlfriend for the first time. Holly-Marie (her stage name if you don't mind!) was super, such a lovely girl, she made Jo and I feel like we had known her for years, she has a lovely relaxed demeanour and she is making my son very happy at the moment so she is alright by me. With a love of gaming that seems to match my son's I think that he finally has someone in his life who can share in his obsessions instead of just watching from the sidelines. She is into vintage clothing and has a very unique style, as a potential future daughter-in-law she makes a great fit into the family.

On a more bizarre note, I have started to watch Eastenders again after about a twelve year hiatus from the show. Jo and I used to watch all the soaps - Coronation St. Eastenders, Emmerdale, Home & Away, Brookside, Neighbours & Family Affairs (but NEVER Hollyoaks!). We found that as they followed each other day, after day, after day they were beginning to take over our life (or at least that's how it felt at the time), so we said enough is enough and stopped watching them all in one go, it was surprisingly easy to do; no withdrawal or anything! But I recently read that one of my favourite 'actors' Danny Dyer (I say actor in the loosest term possible, I know he's cr*p but I love him, he is just too cool for school! plus he will fit right in with the atrocious acting that is already on display in the show) will be joining the cast of Eastenders so I felt I had to start watching again before he starts in it so I can at least follow the stories. One of the main reasons for stopping watching Eastenders was that I found it to be very depressing and so I start watching it again on the very night Janine Butcher once again murders someone! I just hope Danny joins sooner rather than later as at this rate I will give it up again if I find it starting to bring me down!

As you can see. I have been busy making this years batch of Christmas Cards. This one has a little side panel with a bookmark in it. I don't know who is going to get it yet but I did enjoy making it. The image is obviously another one of my fave Kenny K's, I say obviously because I have coloured her so many times now it's ridiculous. I have used some Marianne (Ski's and Snowflake) dies and some Spellbinders (Ornament and Curly Holly Vine and Stamp set, also heat embossed with clear powder), the berries being made from ProMarker coloured half-pearls. I think the paper is from Papermania but don't hang me if that's not right!

As a little treat to ourselves, Jo and I have now set Saturday evening aside as The Strictly X-Factor Movie Musical extravaganza night. We watch Strictly Come Dancing followed by The X-Factor and round it off with a movie musical, classic or contemporary, which we take turns in picking. I chose 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' for the first week as Jo had never seen it before and I absolutely love that film, the costumes, the songs, the actors, everything about it is just a joy to behold. Jo's choice for Saturday was 'Gypsy' starring Natalie Wood and Rosalind Russell as I had never seen it before. I loved it, Rosalind Russell was brilliant in it and it's the first thing I have ever seen Karl Malden in that didn't make me want to drown him with a bag full of hungry cats! I am now looking forward to this week's treat as it is my choice again and I have already chosen 'DreamGirls', Beyoncé is beyond amazing in it and Jennifer Hudson breaks my heart when she sings 'And I Am Telling You...', a great movie all round.

We also went to the latest Craft Fayre put on by Sincerely Yours on Saturday afternoon. There weren't many retailers there really as most people are gearing up for the N.E.C. this weekend. I did manage to get a couple of lovely Magnolia stamps though and the latest MagnoliaInk magazine. I have managed to buy every issue of it so far (except Issue 1 which I missed!) and while I love the stuff people do in it and I find it really inspirational too, in truth it must be one of the worst magazines out there for mistakes. Whoever proof reads it before printing either doesn't have English as their first language (in which case I can forgive them some of their Faux Pas) or they are just illiterate, which is slightly harder to forgive. I have even toyed with the idea of getting in touch with them and offering my services for free, as the mistakes are the only things that stop the magazine from being perfect.

 Anyhoo, that's me, all talked out and ready to start watching the excellent Ripper Street, so take care of yourself,

Hugs 'n Stuff,

Andy

xx

 

Entered Into:

 

Kenny K Krafty Krew Challenge #159 - Pumps and Pearls

365 Cards Challenge #308 - Men In Blue
Artistic Inspirations Challenge #66 - Anything Goes/Spots and Stripes
Card Mania Challenge #33 - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion Challenge #187 - More Than One Fold
Craftin' Desert Divas Craft It Up & Link It Up Linky Party Challenge #18 - Anything Goes
Crafty Bloggers Network Challenge - Christmas
Creative Creations Challenge #22 - Books
House Of Gilli Challenge - Anything Goes
Lawnscaping Challenge #69 - Let A Sentiment Stand Out
Love To Scrap Challenge #17 - Anything Goes
Make It Monday Challenge #165 - Anything Goes
Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge #26 - Anything Goes
Sparkle 'n Sprinkle Challenge #25 - Anything Goes with Glitter, Embossing Powder and/or Flocking
The Paper Girls Challenge #43 - Cut It Out
The Paper Nest Dolls Challenge #16 - Anything Goes
Through The Purple Haze Challenge - Anything Goes

"It Was A Little Bit Frightening..."

 

Now there are few times I will finish a card, look at it and think 'Yeah, that's not bad at all' but this one was such fun to make that I think it shows through in the final design. I used a Rick St. Dennis image and I have used my new La La Land dies on it as I had no Halloween one before last week! Title was made out of a Sizzix alpha and I cut it out twice to make a shadow (same technique was used on the banners too).

I wouldn't normally bother with a Halloween card but there have been so many competitions listed on Paper Playful for this most American of holidays that I couldn't resist it.

 

Growing up in the barren wasteland that is the North-East of England, we experienced weather that only the Inuit would call 'mild', even in the height of the Summer season you could have days where walking from our house to the cinema was reminiscent of the sandstorm scene in MI4. This arduous weather is being repeated now but we are calling it Global Warming, no idea who thought that up but I do know that this time of year is my absolute favourite, the rain lashing at your window while you are in bed makes me feel so safe and secure. Looking through my kitchen window today I noticed my neighbours hedge has started turning from green to the most stunning red I have ever seen and everything around us is giving us one last glorious shout of colour before the year comes to an end, what's not to love? I know that when it lashes with rain outside there is no place better to be than in the comfort of your living room, wrapped in your slanket (and yes, I DO own a blanket with sleeves!! some people know me so well), watching a classic movie and chewing your way through a giant bag of humbugs. Jo and I both love the dark afternoons and the chance to close your curtains against the outside world, not sure the cats are too happy about it but as they are not allowed out after half past three in the afternoon anyway I don't suppose they even notice the change in seasons any more!

So gentle reader, that's me again for another few days, hope you like my spooky creation as much as I do, I shall return...

hugs 'n stuff,

Andy

xx

 

Entered Into: Alphabet Challenge: S for Scary
Card Makin' Mamas Challenge #75 - Trick Or Treat
Craftitude Challenge #51 - Anything Goes/Spooky
Crafts for Eternity Recipe Challenge #147 - Happy Halloween
Cut It Up Challenge #30 - Halloween or Day Of The Dead
Delicious Doodles Challenge #59 - Halowe'en/Something Scary!!
Digi Haven Challenge - Tis The Season For Orange And Black
Left Of Centre Challenges #17 - LOC Halloween or Creepy
Patti's Creations Challenge #78 - Orange and Black
PunkYouGirl Challenge #5 - Halloween
QKR Stampede Challenge #63 - Seeing Orange
Stampin' For The Weekend Challenge - Something Spooky
Stampin' With The Dragon Challenge - Halloween
Stempelsonne Challenge #100 - Halloween
Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge - Halloween
Your Next Stamp Fun Friday Challenge #5 - Inspirational Photo

CCEE Stampers Challenge #1343 - Halloween!

 Copic Marker Europe Challenge - Classic Halloween
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #292 - Spooktacular
Happy Campers Challenge #23 - Halloween
MilkCoffee Challenge - Costumes/Halloween

"It's A Brand New Day..."

It's that time again peeps, the time for another stunning new release from the multi-talented designer Kenny K. There are three lovely ladies for you to download (head over to Kenny K Downloads now):

 

Ski Bunny,

Cozy Cocoa,

and (above) City Star.

 

They are available as a bundle for the incredible price of $8.99, which in these days of rising prices is a lovely saving, especially for something you can use over and over again. The theme for this fortnight's Challenge is

 

Holiday Chic: Sparkle

 

Remember, you MUST use a Kenny K image to enter but as there are so many wonderful images to choose from I don't think you will have a problem finding something you can use.

The challenge has two sponsors: 

 

Flonz

 

who are offering a $20 Gift Certificate from their shop

and of course

 

Kenny K Downloads

 

who are offering the winner a choice of 5 digis from their shop (I wouldn't even know where to begin if I won! there are so many stunning images to choose from).

 

So Good Luck and I hope I see some amazing work over the next couple of weeks. I have been asked by Kenny and Elena (hiya!) to be Guest Designer again so I guess someone out there likes me eh!

 

Before I disappear again, I would like to say a big thank you for the lovely words that have been left for me this week, they have meant a lot to me and it so nice to know that someone reads what I put out there. Bailey was such a lovely dog and after writing my last post Jo and I sat and bawled our eyes out, it was very cathartic but I can't stop thinking about my sister and how lost he she is at the moment, I hope her heart mends soon.

I also want to give a big shout out to my newest Followers, thanks for the continued support.

I will be back again soon with some more cards, until then,

take care,

Hugs 'n Stuff,

Andy

xx
Entered Into:
Colour Me Creative Challenge #79 - Anything Goes
Hiding In My Craft Room Challenge #120 - Colour It
Inkspriational Challenge #41 - Anything Inkspirational Goes
My Creative Moments: Wordplay October Challenge - Anything
Christmas Stamping All Year Long Challenge #38 - Candy
Gratitude Challenge #51 - Anything Goes/Spooky
Daring Cardmakers Challenge - Digi
Jo's Scrap Shack Fun Day Friday Challenge #22 - Anything Goes
Polkadoodles Challenge #42 - Christmas Is Coming
Sister Act Challenge #29 - Anything Goes
Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge - Sparkle And Shine
4 Krafty Girlz Challenges #4 - Anything Goes
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #229 - Christmas
Moving Along With The Times Challenge - Christmas Cuties

"Thank You For Being A Friend..."

 

It is with a heavy heart that I write to you tonight. My sister (Lorraine - Check her out here) had to say goodbye to her trusted and faithful friend, her 'Big Boy' Bailey, her beautiful German Shepherd.

He was quite old and was finding it difficult to walk and taken along with his other ailments Lorraine had to make the most heart-breaking decision any one of us who owns a pet will know, that of deciding whether their needs be met or that of keeping them with us 'just a little bit longer...'

Bailey was massive, he had huge paws and the biggest ears I have ever seen on any dog. He was a nightmare to take out because he hated cats with a passion and if he saw another dog, well let's just say that Lorraine couldn't hold him back when he decided to go for it! He had one of the loudest barks, it was full and loud, deep from within his chest and he would bark at you for quite a while, even after you had entered his territory and her was quite confident he knew who you were, he just wanted to be heard was all!!

But the thing that I loved about him the most was his gentleness, for such a huge presence he would just sit down next to you and let you scratch his neck until one of you got bored (usually me first!), he looked at you with his beautiful big brown eyes and he had the look of a dog who had lived several lifetimes already. He took care of both my Sister and my Mother (who lives with Lorraine) and while he was in their home I never had to worry about them, you just knew they were safe with him looking out for them.

For those of you out there who don't own pets then I guess you will never understand just how much they mean to us, sometimes not even our own pets have a massive impact on your life. Non-pet owners will roll their eyes and look exasperated but if you only knew just how much they gave us, in terms of love and loyalty you wouldn't think we were being 'soppy' at all.

So to all of us who have lost a beloved pet, rest assured they will see us again and I personally can't wait for one more scratch behind the ear of a dear friend.

Rest in Peace,

Bailey Robertson.

x o x o

As for today's card, it's a White on White and suitable for many occasions (wedding, birthday etc), I can't think of anything else to say about it and to be honest with you I'm not sure I even want to today,
I will be back on Sunday though with some brand-fire new Kenny K news to share with you,
Take Care,
Hugs 'n Stuff
Andy
xx
Entered Into:
Creatalicious Challenges #56 - Wedding Day
House of Gilli Challenge - Thanks + Anything Goes
Just for Fun October Challenge - Buttons & Bows
Ladybug Crafts October Challenge - Halloween and/or Use Die-Cuts
The Crafting Café Challenge - Anything Goes
Bearly Mine Challenge #108 - Anything Goes
Creative Craft Challenges #21 - Anything Goes Blogaversary
Everybody-Art Challenge #249 - Ribbon
Sweet Stamps Challenge #139 - Anything Goes/Centre Step Card
Artistic Inspirations Challenge #63 - Anything Goes

"If I Only Had A Brain..."

 

...or rather a brain that wasn't as defective as the one I have at the moment!!

Again I feel I must apologise for not being here as regular as I should. Not only do I struggle to start and finish a card these days but when I do sit down to make one I find that my Mojo really is nowhere to be found.

I had a little bit of relief this week though as I received an e-mail from The Paper Shelter offering savings on some of their beautiful digi stamps and after a brief investigation I came across this stunning image, based on The Wizard of Oz.

I bought another two images as well from TPS and as they not only give you the image (in both PDF and PNG format) but backing papers too, I found my mojo came back briefly. I grabbed it with both hands and after colouring the digi with my Copic's I found putting a card together relatively easy for a change.

I have used papers from my stash plus the TPS rainbow backing paper, I cut the title from a Sizzix Sizzlet set called Man Oh Man! I used a Magnolia die (the creepy tree, just like in the film!!), a Marianne die (the bird box and bird), and a couple of Memory Box dies (the branch and the hearts), it is finished off with a couple of flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts.

As for what has been happening to me, well I did tell you about the depression I have been wrestling with lately. Not only have I lost any and all interest in my crafting, I also struggle to motivate myself to do anything really. This week saw my first appointment with a counsellor who will hopefully help me manage my behaviours, as she says that by doing this it should have a knock-on effect with my mood! I don't see it just yet but I am willing to give anything a go as I am really struggling again lately and I just hate feeling so lost and at sea all the time, there is no escape from it!

Anyway, I will not keep you any longer gentle reader, thank you for stopping by and I hope we hook up again soon when you see something you like!

Hope you like the card, I will try and get back here again as soon as I finish another card,

take care,

Hugs 'n Stuff,

Andy

xx

Entered Into:
Crafty Sentiments Challenge - Anything Goes
Creative Craft Challenge #20 - Anything Goes
Inky Chicks Challenge #14 - Use Two Different Die-Cuts
Through The Craft Room Door Challenge - Anything Goes
Tip Top Tuesday Challenge #111 - Flowers (+ DT Call)
Oldie But A Goodie Challenge - Bingo!!! (Stitching/Flowers/Die Cuts)
ABC Challenge #48 - National Children's Day
Artistic Inspirations Challenge #62 - Anything Goes/Make It Girly
Bunny Zoe's Craft's Challenge - Something Blue
Eureka Stamps Challenge #60 - Anything Goes

Chick, Chick, Chick, Chick Chicken.....

So this post must begin with yet another apology, I'm really sorry for taking so long between posts but at the moment my head just isn't in the game. Every time I sit at the table with a newly completed coloured image it is a matter of minutes before my back starts to give me major grief. As Confucius once said 'With great pain comes great distraction' and that is just how I feel when it starts, my mind begins to wander and designing becomes near impossible. On the rare occasion it hasn't hurt I have managed to upload some (hopefully) half decent designs to inspire you with!

I must also welcome to my newest Follower: Deborah, she has a very interesting blog over at Scrappy Beads, check her out sometime, I think you will like her style a lot.

Back to the back and tomorrow I am due to see my Specialist up at Lincoln Pain Clinic where he will spend thirty minutes sticking extremely long needles into my spine, the outcome being a few months without as much pain. If you imagine living with the pain being a nine/ten for most days, after the injection it should be a four/five for a few months (it normally lasts between four and five months if I'm lucky!). I am meant to have the jab every six months or so but this time it has taken a year and a half so I am fully aware of the troubles the NHS are facing, especially from an end-user point of view.

This week's card is a little late for Easter but I hadn't used the stamp since buying it and couldn't resist giving her a go. I hope you like the finished product.

I will be back soon - honest!!

Big hugs 'n stuff,

Andy

xx

"I Think She's Got It...."

 

 

I don't know why but this beautiful young lady reminds me so much of Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady and that was what I had in mind all the way through the colouring stage of this particular card. I know this is probably a cardinal sin as far as blogs go but I had completely forgotten where I got her from, I knew I had had her for an absolute age and kept meaning to colour her, I thought she was a Make It Crafty image though and after a quick search I found her! She is called Chantelle at the Races (available here) and I thought it would be nice to colour her like one of those ladies who lunch, you know the one's, they go to Ascot every year with all their mates and give it large whenever they see a TV camera. Of course, the only difference between those ladies and mine is that mine hasn't had 16 layers of spray-tan, I hate the Satsuma look, someone should tell them it's less Tangello and a little more Mellow!!

I have used a sheet of really old Basic Grey paper for the background, I like how it looks quite similar to the adornments on her hat. I have added a few die cuts, a mix of Spellbinders and Marianne with a lovely big cloth flower using a Tim Holtz Sizzix Bigz die.

Hope you like it, she took me an age to put together, I really am still missing my mojo. I have been having a bit of a break from cards lately as I started the old cross-stitch again. I have completed several large projects in the past including a really beautiful bride and groom for my Brother's wedding, it took me six months and the finished product looked amazing when it was framed. You may be thinking 'bit big headed' but honestly, I have never been more proud of anything I have ever made (except my son!!).

I started sewing in 1994 when Jo came to visit me and my ex-wife for a holiday and while we were in town on a little shopping trip we both decided we would try something new. Jo got a tiny daffodil and I got a little hedgehog by Country Companions which the lady in the shop said was not really an easy way to introduce yourself to it but I figured 'In for a Penny!' I really loved the finished product (but even to this day I can't bare to look at the tangled mess at the back - Beirut looked neater and that would be after a heavy bombing!!), since then I have been hooked. I will obviously show you the finished product but don't hold your breath, I like to do a little at a time rather than race through it.

So peeps, that's it from me again, I will of course be back again very soon. I was going to rant about Facebook and what I think about those people who feel the need to express every moronic, irrelevant thing that crosses their mind during the day, but I will save that one for another time!

Hope you have a good weekend and the weather picks up a little for you,

take care,

Hugs 'n Stuff,

Andy

xxx

Entered Into:

A Creative Romance Challenge - Dies or Punches

Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenge #48 - Anything Goes

Daring Cardmaker's Challenge - Signature Style

Digitally Sweet Challenges DSC #53 - Anything Goes

Inspire Me Friday's Challenge #120 - Anything Goes!

Quick Quotes Challenge #31 - Anything Goes

Sister Act Card Challenge #24 - Anything Goes

Savvy Handmade Cards Challenge - Photo Inspiration

4 Krafty Girlz Challenge #1 - Anything Goes!

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #286 - Hip To Be Square

Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #62 - Make Your Mark

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #144 - Anything Goes

"Frosty The Snowman Was A Jolly Happy Soul..."

 

Good Morning gentle reader, how are you on this lovely overcast British day? After a glorious day yesterday it could only ever go one way really, couldn't it?

I am feeling okay at the moment. I returned to work yesterday after a five month absence due to depression. I only had two small panic attacks yesterday so it wasn't too bad, plus I was working with the most wonderful lady (stand up Tina, time to take your bow now), I knew that if things got too much for me she would be there to help. I have had to return to work before I am truly ready to due to having to wait for an appointment with someone in the psychiatric wing of the NHS. I was told it would take up to six weeks but like I said, it's been five months and still no sign of help so I have just had to suck it up and see how things pan out, I have told work though that if I can't cope and have to leave again then the next time it will be forever, I would rather quit than keep messing people about.

Anyhoo, that's enough about me.

I have had the chance to make a lot of new cards and here is my latest fave, I figured Christmas doesn't have to be the same old colours we always use and I decided to use the rainbow motif as my theme. I didn't realise however that until it came time to colour my snowmen that I was one colour short but as neither Jo nor I could find an indigo in my ProMarkers/Copics/FlexMarkers.anywhere else, six was going to have to be it, a slightly shorter rainbow!!

I love these little fellas, they really are the jolliest snowmen I have ever seen. Thanks once again to the very wonderful Kenny K.

I took the image of the snowman and just duplicated it in Photoshop. After colouring and cutting them out, I used this years Nestability (annual Christmas release) die and cut out three different size baubles, I then inked the baubles while they were still in the die and then stamped them up. I finished the card off with some new SB snow flakes and I ran the background card through my e-bosser with a lovely 8x8 embossing folder which I think is an embossalicious one but don't quote me on that!

Anyhoo, I am away now, off to share my breakfast with my ever-loving,

take care and

Hugs 'n Stuff,

Andy

xxx

"Lazy, Sunday Afternoon, I've Got No Mind To Worry..."

.

Every time I have looked at my blog in the last week and a half I have been reminded of yet another memory from my oh so colourful childhood. The last card I posted was of a young lad in front of a wall with graffiti on it and it reminded me of the time I myself experimented with the urban art of self expressionism.
As I have previously said, my mother had me labelled as 'he who must not be trusted' after daring to slow fry a frozen sausage in front of a three bar heater. As I was never allowed to stay in the house unsupervised as both parents worked (and if I'm honest, even when mother was at home I wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms!) I spent a LOT of time either outdoors or when the weather demanded it, stuck in the only library Redcar had, which in time turned into my favourite place on earth. When you are not welcome in your own home, you look for places where you are welcome and the Library in Redcar became my safe haven. Whilst not exactly welcomed through the doors (the staff were like something from a Dickens novel), nobody ever told you to go home as long as you were reading something and I read everything in that Library, from Enid Blyton right through to Peter Benchley, my reading really matured in that Library and I showed my appreciation to it in a very special way!
When I wasn't inside the Library reading I was outside playing in 'my tree'. It grew right next to the front wall, the wall that faced the main road and the one wall that was on view to absolutely everyone passing, whether by foot or vehicle. My tree was so easy to climb and through the Summer and early Autumn it was covered in enough foliage for you to be quite anonymous should you decide to climb up to the higher limbs, something that the Library staff actively discouraged and something that all boys just had to try, like it was hard-wired into our DNA!
On one particularly chilly, early Winter afternoon, I turned up to tree only to find a full can of black spray paint on the grass. 'How exciting' my 13 year old brain screamed 'what's the harm in having a little play' I thought, after all it washes off with warm soapy water, doesn't it??
My gaming tag (i.e. the name I used whenever I played an arcade game) was Antz (I still have no idea why to this day!) and had I written that I would have walked away scot free but me being the idiot that I was at that age decided to write
ANDREW BRINSLEY!
Yes, I wrote my full name in three feet tall black letters for the entire world to see. Looking back I am surprised I stopped short of writing my home address too!!
Unluckily for me, it took the Library janitor about ten minute to work out just who this master criminal was! He just looked for my Library card and voila! he had my home address and my Mother's work address too. Needless to say, I was severely punished and a valuable lesson about identity was learnt!!

OMG! What must you think of me? It feels like ages since I last posted anything. I have been meaning to do it but I kept forgetting to take my photographs so had nothing to post! But that has all been remedied and here is a new card for you to peruse.

Stuck for something to colour I went for a surf and discovered the rather fantastic DeviantArt, there were loads of amazing images (and sooooo many for free!!!) and all they ask of you is that you credit them and put a link back to their art, so here it is, thank you so much Yampuff for your beautiful images and here's the link to your images (Honey & AnaBelle/UmberellaGirl).

As for the card, well I decided to try and keep it as clean and simple as possible because the image itself was quite large to start with and I really wanted my colouring to be the thing that really drew your attention, colouring these three girls took me a couple of days to make sure that they were the best I could do and for the first time ever I was actually proud of something I had done.

So there it is my lovely, hope you like it.
If you managed to read all that, well done! I will be back soon, have a great week and
take care,
Hugs 'n Stuff,
Andy
xxx

Entered Into: 2 Sister Challenge #158 - Square Cards
A Gem Of A Challenge #94 - Anything with a B (Bird and Birdhouse)
Colour Me Creative Challenge #75 - Anything Goes
Crazy 4 Challenges #200 - C4C200 - Animals
Drunken Stampers Challenge #138 - A Party Planner
Totally Gorjuss Challenge #198 - Bows
My Creative Moments - Wordplay Satuday Challenge - Childhood
Sketch Saturday Challenge #273 - Sketch
A Creative Need Challenge #10 - Lazy Days Of Summer
Card Crafter's Circle Challenge #89 - Bright Colours
Challenges and Candies Challenge #15 - Colours, Smells and Tastes of Summer
Digitally Sweet Challenge #50 - Summertime Colours
Inspire Me Friday's Challenge #117 - Anything Goes
Patti's Creations Design Challenge #74 - Anything Goes (Must ALWAYS Use An Image)
Polkadoodles Challenge week #34 - All Things Bright And Beautiful
QKR Stampede Challenge #53 - Anything Goes
Quick Quotes Friday Challenge #30 - A Summer Theme
Sister Act Card Challenge #21 - Anything Goes

"Hey Kid, Rock and Roll..."

 

...Ooh My Soul"

 

I recently joined The Outlawz Challenge group and made this card for their Alcohol Marker Challenge. Everything is coloured with my beautiful Copics, such great pens for colouring with, their nibs are just perfect for detail work or if you want to add strands of hair etc. I have been buying them steadily on and off for the last two years or so and I still don't have the full range of colours but with time and (small, regular) amounts of money I hope to get them all plus refills, but that will take a heck of a lot longer!

The background of the card is an old MIC one and the young fella is a Kenny K I have had for well over a year now, apart from the small brass rivets and Sizzix letters on top of a Marianne die, that's pretty much it for this creation, minimal for me I suppose!

There's not much else to tell you really, it has been a very quiet week at home. I have decided to go back to work though. I have been waiting for some therapy but it hasn't appeared yet and I am really getting sick of waiting for it, I just have to bite the bullet I suppose and see how things go when I get back there. I did have a panic attack last week when Jo and I went to Let's Create for their grand re-opening but it's the only one in weeks now so I hope those are behind me, if not then I have no idea how I will handle it!

So, hope you are well, the weather isn't too bad at the mo is it? Not high Summer but still not Autumnal so still sleeping with the thin duvet on.

Have a great rest of the week, see you on Sunday,

Hugs 'n Stuff

Andy

x

 Entered In To: Bearly Mine Challenges #99 - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments Challenge - Dies and Punches
Loves Rubber Stamps Challenge 65 - Hair Of A Different Colour
Oldie But A Goodie Challenge -  Boys/Males Cards
Try It On Tuesday Challenge - Let's "Create A Scene"
Artistic Inspirations Challenge #54 - Use Dies Cuts/Punches
Crafty Boots Challenge - Die Cuts
Kaboodle Doodle Challenge #184 - Music and/or the Arts
Marker Pop Bi-Weekly Challenge #28 - Anything Goes
Stamps + Fun = Creativity Challenge #164 - Anything Goes

"Movin' On Up, Movin' On Out, Nothing Can Stop Me..."

 

Second post in one day! What on earth is wrong with me?
As promised, here is my run down on my day out yesterday.

Jo and I went to a lovely little village called Tattershall to see our friends Jo Channon (of Create and Craft fame) and her hubby Mark, re-open their shop (Let's Create) after moving from Coningsby (literally twenty feet away!!!) into bigger premises.
They don't have a web presence just yet but I have put a link (here) to Jo's blog/challenge site, do yourself a favour and go and have a gander!
They had Sheena Douglas there all day, demo-ing Pebeo Fantasy-Fusion paints . They came in boxes of seven colours plus two small tubes of a paint that looked like lead lining with a mega-fine nozzle on it. Sheena was using it to paint over the lines of a stamped image on a glass vase, then filling in the areas with the paint leaving it looking a bit like church windows. I would have bought a set had the price not been (a 'reduced' special) of £35.00. Even with the five pounds off Jo was giving it still seemed a bit pricey.

 

Sheena was also there to demonstrate some of her stamps (available here) and after purchasing a beautiful set of snowflakes, which I saw put to really good use on a stunning card made by one of her design team members. Jo bought this gorgeous little set after watching Sheena demo it on a tag. She used some kind of gel medium brushed onto some sentiment stamps (I missed the name of it but it looked like a slimy white Acrylic paint!). Then she used Distress inks as a water-colour paint to make a light wash over the whole tag, which worked as a resist on the sentiments. After making sure the tag was completely dry (she used her little hairdryer looking heat tool. I have one and it is one of my favourite things ever!) she then darkened the top, bottom and sides with a co-ordinating Distress ink before painting the scene in and heat-setting the tag once more.                      
                            

The three Distress ink pads she used for the whole project were Chipped Sapphire, Forest Green and Shaded Lilac.

She finished the whole thing off using some of the snowflakes (from the set I bought) down the sides of the tag, again using the slimy gel medium and while she had a tiny blob of the gel on her mat she painted the top of the door and the ground white to give it that snowy look.

I thought the whole thing looked stunning when it was finished and it really got me excited to start making some Xmas cards this week. I know it is way too early to even think about but I do love making Christmas cards and at least people might even receive one this year if I pull my finger out and actually make a start now rather than two weeks before the big day!!

 

We were only at the shop for a few hours (we had to leave because my back was in so much pain I could barely stand) but we both had a really lovely time. She had cake and snacks, the atmosphere was really happy and even though I had a panic attack when we arrived, I settled down into a relaxed mood. Jo and Mark both looked really happy which is all you can ask for really.

 In case you don't know what Sheena looks like (and if so, then where on Earth have you been

hiding??), here is a little pic I took and if you look close you can see the cake she was having, after telling us she had started dieting the day before!! She is a really funny lady with a self-deprecating sense of humour and she comes across as really warm and friendly when you meet her.

 

So that was our BIG DAY OUT. It might not sound exciting to you but for people who rarely leave the house these days it was lovely.

Before I leave you again though I must recommend a few movies - The Wolverine is superb, loads of amazing action scenes and a great sneak peak at X-Men//Days of Future Past (out next Summer). The Conjuring is genuinely scary. I love horror movies and this one really got under my skin even though it plays every horror cliché known to man, it just does them so well the film is a modern classic in-waiting. Finally 'Only God Forgives' is another brilliant pairing of Nicholas Winding-Refn and Ryan Gosling in a mixture of comedy and tense thrills all stirred up in a big bag of Oedipal stew (honourable mention to Kristin Scott-Thomas).

 

So I will say ta-ra for now and I will be back again soon with some new cards  for you. Have a great week, hope the weather holds for you!

Take Care,

Hugs 'n Stuff,

Andy

xx

"Da Da, Da Da, Da Da Da...."

You know the rest, sing along!

Just a quick reminder for you that the Kenny K Krafty Krew blog challenge still has a whole week to go, Steampunk is this fortnight's feat of daring do and there are just so many great ways you can interpret this particular challenge, so just go wild and show us what you've got. There have already been some very interesting entries, it really makes me miss being a part of this great team.

 

I have knocked up a quick Birthday for a man card - you know, the one's that are just sooooo hard to do!! That still makes my blood boil, using the fact that we are men to hide your own lack of imagination. The biggest perpetrators of this lie are Create and Craft, but not the company as a whole, just the presenters. It is such a ready-made excuse to flog some load of old tut that we don't really need in the first place. If you are asked to make a male card for a total stranger then I grant you, it could present you with a bit of a challenge but if you know the man in question then it should be no more difficult that making a ladies card (of course this is just my opinion, like it or not I do think this is a valid argument).

This particular card is using one of the Mimic's Creations CD's characters (have you guessed who he is yet??), a few (free) Ben & Jerry's playing cards, Candi, Papermania's Portobello Road paper. ribbon and a very small Spellbinder to make the bullet holes. Overall I am quite happy with the finished project and I really like the image, I just wish the CD had included all the Bond's, now that would have been Cool Brittania!

Hope you like it. I will return later tomorrow with tales of a Saturday spent in the company of one of the UK's finest Crafters but not now, I am tired and ready to call it a day/night.

Take Care,

Hugs 'n Stuff

Andy

xx

Entered Into: 2 Sisters Challenge #155 - Anything Goes
Crafty Calendar Challenge - Anything Goes
One Stop Craft Challenge #237 - Keep It Simple
Card and Scrap Challenge #59 - Anything Goes
Just For Fun Challenge - Anything Goes
Oozak Challenge #19 - Anything Goes (Funny)
Our Creative Corner Challenge - Words Words Words
The Crafter's Café Challenge #22 - Anything Goes
Cards Galore Challenge - Bingo (Birthday, Die Cuts, Ribbon)
Delicious Doodles Challenge #47 - Anything Goes
Digitally 'Sweet' Challenge #47 - Anything Goes



"Three, that's the magic number..."

 

 

 

So check out these three gorgeous young ladies. From top to bottom they are called Savannah Belle, Inspector Em and Velocitia and they are the latest additions to the Steampunk Burlesque crew on Kenny K Downloads.com. You can get the complete set for a very reasonable $8.50, saving yourself $2.00, for a limited time only though so get yourself over there sooner rather than later.

I have been chosen as Guest Designer on the Kenny K Kraft Krew and I couldn't be happier. Firstly I got to receive these stunning images earlier in the week and they have really helped me to get a bit of my creative Mojo back and secondly they have re-united me with my old friends, I have really missed being a part of such an enormously creative team.

In case you hadn't already worked it out, the theme for the new challenge is 'Steampunk'. I have been a fan of this particular style for ages now and really love just going to town on the cards. I hope you like them as much as I have enjoyed doing them.

I won't be giving you the usual run-down of what I have used on each card as there are too many things to list and besides, if you want to know anything then feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment and I will endeavour to get back to you as soon as I can.

 

I hope you have had a good week! Mine has been rather good for a change. As well as having the pleasure of colouring the above images I also got the chance to book a couple of seats to go and see "The Wolverine". We will be going to The Kinema In The Woods (Woodhall Spa) again, so no 3D screen but I have been underwhelmed by the 3D experience so far. In the cinema you tend to lose quite a lot of to vivid colouring, especially if you go to see a Pixar or Dreamworks movie. Jo and I saw the last Ice Age movie in 3D and while the effects are clever, the movie itself just looked dull and washed out which took quite a lot of the experience away for both of us.

As with most things I will never say never as my son Liam is getting me a 3D TV for my 50th birthday next year so I am hoping that the home viewing experience is better than the cinema!

 

So, that's been me for the week, I can't believe I am posting three cards on the one day - so unlike me!

Have a great week ahead and I will be back again soon, promise.

Hugs 'n Stuff,

Andy

xx

 

I am not sure how you go about entering a specific card for each challenge as all three cards are listed under the one post! so I have put the name of the card at the end of each entry, hope this doesn't cause too much confusion.

 

Entered Into: Challenges 4 Everybody #25 - Anything Goes (Velocitia)

Creative Inspirations Paint Challenge - Inspired By: Anything Goes (Inspector Em)

Eclectic Ellapu Challenge - Anything Goes (Savannah Belle)

Great Impressions Stamps Challenge - Anything Goes (Velocitia)

Lacy Sunshine Challenge #13 - Anything Goes (Must Use Hand Coloured Image) (Inspector Em)

One Stitch At A Time Challenge #174 - Anything Goes (Savannah Belle)

Pile It On Challenge #30 - Anything Goes (Velocitia)

Colour Me Creative Challenge #73 - Anything Goes (Inspector Em)

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #115 - Let's Take A Trip (Savannah Belle)

Crafts 4 Eternity Challenge #134 - Anything Goes (Velocitia)

Creative Fingers Challenge - Anything Goes (Inspector Em)

Inspire Me Friday's Challenge #113 - Anything Goes (Savannah Belle)

Simply Steampunk Challenges - Embossing Foladers (Velocitia)

Sister Act Card Challenge #17 - Anything Goes (Inspector Em)

Stempelsonne Challenge #94 - Everything about Travel (Savannah Belle)

Totally Papercrafts Challenge #177 - Use Lace (Savannah Belle)