Father,dear Father.

I am getting old . I remember that TV series. But the reason the title came to mind I because I have two fathers in my life. My own Dad, Jack. And my husband Bobby, who is a Dad for whom I have Father's Day responsibilities. My Dad is at the stage, at 78, where he has all the things he wants and needs, which leaves us with a problem on birthdays, Xmas Etc. Thank goodness for Gillette. He's interested in Churchill (the great leader, not the insurance company) at the moment, but my sis got in first and bought him some history DVDs. My husband on the other hand, always appreciates music, so I bought him a punk rock cd. He can dead fly to Jilted John, all he wants. I buy for Bobby because his daughter is unable to do so as she has learning difficulties.
So I made a couple of cards.

Wellington from Do Crafts is always handy, and I combined it with K and Co papers, Do crafts paper and Melissa Francis stickers.
To all those Dads out there, and to those sadly passed. Many thoughts and blessings.

Me and my Dad considering ice cream in the Hard Rock Cafe in Krakow.

Catcha later, Kat

Bucket list, bronchitis, birthday and betrayal.

We went to London for a break. Took in some shows and saw some of the sights, but I also got to tick two things off of the old bucket list.
One was to visit Liberty of London and take a look round their amazing haberdashery. It's so beautiful and I shall go back to spend more time there. They have an amazing hanging display made with some of their amazing fabric.

I was naughty and bought a few bits and pieces.
And so to the recurrence of the chest infection that floored me over Easter and put paid to crafting for almost a month. But it wasn't so bad second time round.
So when I did get round to some scrapping, I settled  on pictures of my other bucket list tick: a visit to the Natural history museum to see Dippy the Diplodocus before they replace him with a Blue whale.

Kept this one simple with some quality postcards, K and Co paper and some chipboard stickers from Maggie Holmes. I am now back in the zone. Even did some Father's Day cards, prepped a couple of project life spreads and did a mini journal of the London trip.
And finally a thought or more a question. When someone turns out to be less of the person you admired, but has not offended you personally, is it a betrayal or just a disappointment.

Catcha later. I'm off to comment on some blogs.

Family, friends, funerals and (uptown) funk.

I haven't blogged for a while. Flippin' flu and a chest infection. Man! A lot can happen in five weeks. Had time off work and spent the week fighting the flu, back to work, my cousin died suddenly which was a real shocker, chest infection and possible pneumonia. Fortunately it wasn't.
But it picks up. Me and OH went to a friends leaving the army do. It was a formal event so I had to have a long frock. It's a nightmare to get a long dress for a short a**e like me. They are all designed for the taller frame. Still eventually got one and together with Mr Dapper, just call me Bond, we had a good time.

This was fooled a couple of days later by another journey down souff for my cousins funeral. Sad that it's the only time we see some family, when we are saying goodbye to another. Yesterday, it would have been Tanya's birthday (28th) and so sad she's no longer with us. But a family barbie and catch up was the order of the day.
I also spent some time with an old friend ( Yes, Julie. I mean you) it's good that some things are constant in your life and good friends do the job just fine. But onto the crafts. I wanted to make Jules a card and I decided to be more focused on the process. I have always liked words, inspirational and  poetic. That's how I started making cards. I wrote someone a poem and wanted to present it nicely. It developed from there and I came up with my " Word Therapy" idea. I got a stamp made in Staples and started making bespoke cards targeted at a particular person with appropriate words to go with it. But it's ages sine I've done it, so making a card for Julie was the ideal opportunity. This is the card, obviously the words inside are personal. Stamp from the Range, coloured with Spectrum Noirs and embellished with Do Crafts Birdsong paper.

"Word Therapy" is owned by Kathy Hardman. Not for snaffling

Birthdays, past and present

It's niece number 1's birthday on Saturday my sis asked me to make a card for her. So this is what came about. Using stash galore including flowers from an ancient TSV, sissix borders. A bead sticker from a discount shop, candidate, old lace stickers from Lakeland and bargain of the week, letters stickers from Home Bargains for 29p. Have you looked at the crafty stuff in HB. There's some good stuff to pick up. I bought a horseshoe to alter from their garden department and some acrylic bunting embellishments for under £1.00.
So it got me thinking about the girls and how quickly time is passing. I had this photo of them on Georgia's 8th birthday to scrap to finish off the memory album I've been making for them. Georgia is now almost 17 and Lacey is now 11. In the photo, Lacey is poised to blow out Georgia's candles and Georgia is pleading for someone to intervene. She wouldn't upset her little sis personally but would ask Mam to do it. Now it would just be a battle for girl power.
I used Theresa Collins papers and dis some fussy cutting, the sentiment is from a making Memories card and the trail of ladybirds came from HB a few months ago, 39p.

On a totally different subject. I watched the funeral of Richard 111 tonight on channel 4. Really surreal, but fascinating. At least the winter of our discontent is nearly over, looking forward to the light nights.
Catcha later.
Katalytic

Georgia's giraffe

It's niece number 1's birthday on Saturday. I had this idea to get my own back on her by doing a giraffe theme. It's a jokey thing because I find giraffes a bit pointless and clumsy.she bought me this ugly giraffe pen from South Africa last year so I thought I'd punish her with giraffes for birthday laughs. .it won't quite go with her personally chosen Disney Princess theme but it will have to do. As an aside, the cost of driving lessons these days, we've bought her two to go with then ten from her Mam and Dad.
Here's the card, I compromised with a fantasy giraffe instead of an ordinary one.

It's a decoupage giraffe from House of Zandra and the decoupage plants are also hers. I added some three d gluey stuff and glittered the giraffe. The kraft card and paper is Do crafts. Not sure where the diamond paper is from. Finally added a it washi and some photo corners from Paperchase. Quite pleases with it.
Got to attempt a Princess cupcake card next for her parents and want to design it and construct it rather than using a template, so I'm off to give it a go.
Catcha later

Blow

I decided to have a go at decorating eggs. Previously it's always been with the nieces for their school projects but this time I thought I'd have a go at doing some pretty eggs for an Easter display.
Now if I boil eggs, they invariably crack so I decided to blow the eggs. And......I didn't crack a single one. Eggs shells, in complete form and Yorkshire puds to boot.. So here's the outcome.

They've all been done with decoupage paper from do crafts or tissue paper from Clintons. And I've just added ribbon, twine, flowers, rabbits from Paperchase, punched rabbits with a die from memory box, twigs from Anna Marie designs and various other bits and pieces. I had a great time playing and I'm going to play some more.
Went to GNPE at Harrogate at the weekend. Didn't need anything, bought lots. What happened to using the stash? Never mind.
And finally , our first grandchild, due July will be a boy. More shopping, yay!
Catcha later.

High anxiety.

I managed to find some time this weekend to learn something new. I am a technophobe. I have a laptop, Mobile and I pad but I know I don't get the best from them. So I decided to get number one niece to show me how to download music onto my phone so I nan use the phone as a player when I am travelling by train. And she showed me and I practised and am pleased to day I am no longer a music download virgin.
So I thought I would journal in honour of my newly found skill by devoting a page to my playlist. Can't wait to learn some more.

Catcha later

Simply Saturday

Haven't been too busy this week. Did not feel too much like crafting, but there's always something that gives a little inspiration. On the DC forum, a member asked whether anyone would make a card for her hubby as he doesn't have much family around. So who can resist? I also managed to do another random one. Quite into the red white and blue at the mo.

Walter seems quite pleased. I enjoyed doing the card for J. I don't have Mother's Day cards to do at this time of year, cos she's not around anymore, but making a card for anyone does make you feel good. You can't escape the fact that it is an emotional activity.
Just back from Durham armed with  two farmers wife market stall cakes and two bottles of Pinot Grigio. Simple Saturday! Yay!
Catcha later

Atmosphere

I was watching a documentary the other night on Joy Division and the lead up to the suicide of Ian Curtis. It was 1980 and I was in sixth form struggling with decisions about the future and thinking John Paul Sarttre was right all along, we were all playing a part in the life play called Waiting for Godot and teenage angst was trendy. A few years later retrospectively thinking about the death of someone who was musically so talented but also deeply unhappy, got me out of that way of thinking and made me determined to be an optimist. Still I walloed in Atmosphere and thought of my youth, and how I thought I knew it all. Now at 51 , of course I know I don't know it all but am glad to still be learning and still being an optimist.
I like the creative stuff, not destructive and cynical, hence the love of craft.
Did these two cards. One for Easter and one for a 60th birthday.

The first is a Lotv topper, Dovecraft doily,kaiser craft stamp, the Works wooden word and some Paperchase photo corners.
The second uses some free papers and toppers from Making Cards, an egg die form X cuts, ribbon,burlap and bakers twine. Walter is quite pleased with them both.
Anyone going to GNPE in Harrogate. Will see you there Godot willing!
Catcha later

The nature of the blog

I was trying desperately to finish off a memory album for my sisters two girls in time for Easter. It is to compliment the family album I did for my Dad, which will eventually come to them. I needed to add in some reference to their paternal side, their granda and grandma Smithson. It's quite hard when you are scrapping a photo of someone you did not know well, so I decided to give my brother in law some blank journaling cards and asked him to tell his gils about his Dad, Harry.
This is the layout.

I used red, white and blue and military looking buttons to represent his army career, and vintage Heidi Swapp folder to hold what I hope will be emotional and thoughtful journaling. I chose a quotation from Henry V (took me back to my A level days) cry, God for Harry, England and St George as it represented his commitment to his country
It's strange the way your thought processes work though. I have always been passionate about literature and the written word in General, which is possibly why I combined creative writing with card making, into my scrapbooking. It just met all my creative needs. I really feel that's why blogs are good too.
For me, in this community, they fall into three categories.
The showcase blog, where crafters show their creations.
The my family and other animals blog,where crafters share a little bit of their personal life
The thoughts and musings blog, where there is a desire to add in creative thought, ideas and opinions, wider than just crafting.
That is why, when I view your blogs, I hope to do you the courtesy of making my comments appropriate to your blog type. If you want to show a creation, I will comment on it, but if your blog has more to say I will hopefully acknowledge the time you have taken to share.
Flip... This is a bit heavy. Time for milkshake and some Create and Craft.
Catcha later.

Stash buster extraordinaire

I have been making a card for my nieces birthday. I am trying to make all my cards this year and use some stash. I read this blog which suggested you spend some time going through your stash because you forget what you have. I was on the point of ordering some gelatos to play with when I remembered seeing my cheap box of pastels from the Works instead. So I used them and spent no money! Yay!
Here's the cards. One for Abi and another, just because I was on a roll.

Walter is introducing them I found some Gorjuss decoupage and toppers, some acetate wings from Crafty Individuals I bought eons ago, some black ribbon from a past Craft fare and some stickers from an ancient QVC TSV. I have also decided to use stash for making envelope liners and decorating the envelopes. Still If I live till I am 100, I will never get through it all. Tomorrow I will do a layout using some papers stuffed in a box.
It was a couple of hours well spent, as I recalled some purchases and fads in my OMG 12 years I think of crafting.
Catcha later.

Meet Walter de la Hare.....

This is Walter, name after the famous poet with the similar name. He is an altered hare. I bought him as a white bunny in the Range and transformed him into my crafting companion, there to introduce my projects and keep me on the straight and narrow with his wisdom. He wears some Einstein specs and a Poirot tache , his bunny tail remains strictly girlie pink, but it's not for viewing. Walter reflects my change to my blog title and looks on with a discerning gaze at my activities

Say Hi, Walter.

And so to the crafts.....

I did some journaling on Hares, with some quotes from Frances Pitt. The green hare is cut from a birthday card, and is by a fab artist whose name I donT know. It's Paperchase tapes, card and WAterstones badge, I made the fabric hare with Do crafts sticky fabric.
The second one is about being comforted, particularly by children when you try to calm there tears and they calm your soul in return. I found the poem in a second hand poetry book I bought recently. Can you tell we have an impending event in July. Our first grandchild. Looking forward to a happy summertime.

So throw those curtains wide...

On a day like this...it was glorious today. Ten degrees and sunny. We went to the headland in Hartlepool for a walk and some fresh air. There were many walkers about but it wasn't crowded. I was looking for some bits of driftwood to try and frame my sea canvas at some point. Today was a day for shells, pebbles and sea glass but not much wood. Bobby wouldn't take me for pop and crisps in the tea rooms, but I enjoyed it all the same.
The title is from Elbow, by the way.

I am going to do some journaling this week. I am in card making mode, but no one to make one for at the moment. I end up with loads to give away, so I am resisting. So hard. I went into the Range yesterday and had to buy something even if it was just foam tape and pearly gluey stuff. Here are the little cards, Grace Taylor blanks, Dovecraft doily, the Works star em bellies and Do crafts free decoupage topper.
I didn't resist long, I had to have a little dabble. Even if it was just foam tape and pearly gluey stuff. Trying to focus on stash and not to buy, but it's so hard. Catcha later, Kat.

I love the sea

It was strange reading Barbara Grays blog during the week. I took up her recommendation early last year to follow Jane Crosbys blog...and I have never regretted it. Jane was a crafter and a great blogger. Intelligent, humorous, open and truly decent. She often made me stop sweating the little things because life's too damn short as Jane knew. So Barbara had the idea, hence my post title to create art because of Jane and encourage crafting. I sent my OH down to the beach to gather some sea glass so I could start only my third arty type project. I loved the mess of the paint and the feel of the sea glass.
So this is the result. The photography once again let's it down ,but hey ho! Does it really matter.
Somewhere beyond the sea, Jane Crosby is smiling at me.

I used a gelli plate background with acrylics, gesso, sis six edgy die cut things, stickers,washi tape, gems, Clarity stencil and a nifty little stamp. The sea glass is from the our local beach and gives some real weight to the canvas. On top of this, that thick pastey stuff and mod podge.
Happy birthday Jane and great job Barbara...as ever.
Catcha later
Kat

Shelfie

Had a nice day out in a chilly Durham yesterday. Invested some me time in browsing the brilliant Oxfam bookshop. They have tons of books, old and modern and they aren't necessarily cheap, but you know your purchase gives more than just personal pleasure. I found a 1942 publication about British nature. It's fabulous, about all those things we no longer hear much about. Dormice, stoats and meadow flowers. I decided to make it the star of my shelfie.

Billy Duff bear is keeping care of it until I get round to reading it.
Then what does Barbara Gray go and do ...but bring out a new set, featuring...yes hares. We'll I just have to have them despite my promise not to buy any more stash until mid March. Mad as the proverbial hare I must be.

So back to the subject of crafting. I make a card when one of the team get employee of the month. I try to keep them A6 size  and keep them quite simple. I picked up this feather die from HOTP on one of the magazines and had a bit play.
I wish I could get better at taking the photos though. Photography is not one of my strong points but never mind.

Anyhow, Catcha later, nearly time to call the midwife
Katalytic

Hare today and hare tomorrow.

I am sad I know but my passion for the big bad bunnies just continues. From watching winter watch to having a hare Pinterest page, I just find them such an interesting animal. I bought some hare stamps from Clarity. I would stamp them everywhere like a graffiti artist, leaving a trace of artistry here and there if I could get away with it. So I have stamped them in my notebooks, journal,project life album and made this:

The floral stamps are also by Clarity and are so versatile. There are also some lovely fox silhouettes I might just have to have.
I haven't been to the NEC show so if I get myself motivated me n Joan are going to try and get there in March so I am trying not to buy too much crafty stuff between now and then. Anyone else been? Will it be worth the journey from County Durham. Will I spend too much on things I don't need.
A crafting dilemma.
It's been snowy here but not too much disruption. I don't mind it if I can stay at home, but getting to work in it is just an ordeal. Roll on springtime.

Catcha later
Katalytic

Wolf Hall and Washi tape.

Well the long awaited Wolf Hall started on Wednesday night. I had to watch it though I did feel a certain sense of defeat because.....it's taken me two years and I still haven't finished Wolf Hall and I have already bought bringing up the bodies, it's waiting on my kindle. I don't know what it is but I just can't read it, it's like wading through treacle. I've seen Hilary Mantel on TV and heard her on the radio and she was enthusiastic about art and this new TV series. I am so sorry but my brain just can't take the style. It's only the second book I've given up on. I just got to Liz's death on my kindle and we got to that bit in the TV in the first half hour. But I promise, yes I promise I'll watch the whole series. Thanks to sky plus.
On the crafting front, I am still liking the idea of fabric but I am no seamstress. I wish! But I bought some sticky fabric and made this card. Do crafts fabric plus washi tape, which is my staple craft diet at the mo.

Next job was a card and wrapping for my sisters impending birthday. I've sealed the card and I wrapped the present and put it in a plain brown bag and decorated it. I added a little badge from Waterstones and some luscious burlap and chalkboard embellishment. I am quite pleased with it. At least I have not yet succumbed to buying any cards, but it's still only January.

Catcha later
Katalytic

To boldly go.....

Lately, the cards I have made have been pastel, clean and simple. That might be out of my lack of motivation. But On Monday I bought 2 packs of textured cards in the sale in the Works. £8.00 for 160 cards. They are small but I think small presents interesting design challenges. So I made a few thank you cards, I use them at work to acknowledge peoples hardwork and team work. So here they are, with added toppers from the Range. The black doggie peel offs are from Little Claire and I dug into the old stash for the mini tools. Late resolution, make cards for folk instead of spending a fortune on arty cards from Waterstones. Next venture....Susy's birthday card.

Resolution started

Already half way through January and the first snowfall has appeared. Winter is here at last. I did quite bit of crafting for Xmas, partly because I chose to make tags and fancy wrapping instead of a production line of cards.
My resolutions are simple, be grateful and try a new craft.
I have had a bit of a hare fascination for a while and spotted some lovely, but expensive cushions on Not on the High Street. I sue sited to Emma, that given her sewing skills, she might make me one for Xmas. But best laid plans, she is in the early and sickliest stage of a pregnancy. However I did get a lovely NOTHS one instead. Still, it niggled, so armed with some material and buttons I got from Joan, I decided to give appliqué a go. I just started by doing the panel and buying a cheap Cush from BHS and I am so pleased with the results.  Even the blanket stitch looks ok. So, there's the finished result. I reckon it cost under £10.00 so job done. Hope you like. Finished item plus initial preparation.

New year, new kattitude

OK, so it's not easy going into a new year and trying to change things, especially your approach. But when the going gets rough, breathe deeply, have pride in your resilience and get creative with your time.
I haven't been down, I have just let time run away with me and neglected my creative duties with the exception of the festive cards and labels. But this year I expanded the repertoire into some fancy wrapping.
In addition, the positive focus is on new life because we are expecting our first grandchild in 2015. So much shopping, so little time.
My hare and woodland fascination is carried into the new year with the addition of squirrel cushions and a lovely hare cushioned gift via not on the high street, and a larger Miho deer head.
So, creative efforts:

Introducing.my hare. Copied from a copyright free image and used as a stencil. I covered him with different Xmas papers and added him to a card. My resolution is to cut from fabric and add appliqué to a cheap bought cushion cover. Watch this space.
And the other is a journal come smash book from TK Maxx, which I have altered and promised to fill.
So here's to 2015. May it be peaceful and healthy.
Catcha later.