"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