A Haunting...

...we will go!

Actually, we won't - I don't really "do" Halloween but I love the colours and images that appear from now until the 31st October.

Although Halloween has never been as big here in the UK as it is in USA, in recent years there seems to have been a lot more 'stuff' available in the shops.

This card was made using a digi image that I have had for several years...

 ...I haven't got a clue what the PPs are as they are from my stash - I seem to have rather a lot of Halloween 'stuff' considering I don't "do" Halloween LOL
The image was coloured with my Copic pens and the spider's web behind on the black CS was drawn using a ZIG chalk marker...

...it is clear that this little bear has had a very successful "Trick or Treat" session.

Over on UKS there is a lady called Glen (Artangle) who has often had family parties at Halloween and she really goes to town.

Do you celebrate Halloween?..............................................................

It was Demo Day...

...at Pinnacle Crafts on Saturday.

As usual, Hilary & I met for breakfast first of all and after a yummy sausage sandwich with lashings of brown sauce and a latte for me...

...and toast & marmalade with cappuccino for Hilary - we toddled off to join the already growing queue at Pinnacles.
Andy had prepared lots of fabulous samples and there were lots of ideas and inspiration...

...for getting stuck into those Christmas projects. It is September after all and as all crafters will know, whether we want to acknowledge the fact or not, Christmas isn't that far away if you are wanting to get projects prepared & completed in time. Andy had a lovely time playing demonstrating with alcohol inks - which seemed to be the most popular technique of the day.

Andy had also prepared a few side-stepper cards as samples and he showed folk a quick and easy way of preparing your own base card. He has said that the measurements and a step by step will be available on his blog. However, I'm sure he won't mind me sharing some of the basic instructions.

A standard sheet of A4 card stock is usually 11.5ins x 8.25ins - for ease of measuring Andy trims this down to 11 x 8.25 (28cm x 21cm).

With the CS in front of you in 'portrait', score lightly down the middle (top to bottom) at 10.5cm (Andy used the cm side of a Hougie board). Flip the card round to 'landscape' (the score line will be running left to right now) and using the score line as a finishing point, score down from the top of the card to the line at 3cm, 6cm, 10cm and 21cm - these will form your steps. Before taking the card off your scoreboard, go back to the 14cm point and score all the way from top to bottom.

Now place your card in front of you in 'portrait' once again and using a craft knife and ruler, cut carefully along the light score mark that you made to begin with but only between the 3cm & 21cm score lines. Then gently fold along the various score lines to create mountain & valley folds - one side stepper card. Andy has photos on his blog and also has measurements in metric or imperial.

Time jus flew by and before we knew it we were well into the afternoon so Hillary & I went off for some lunch...

...I tend to be a bit of a creature of habit and had my usual Jacket potato with chilli & salad - Hilary went for tuna in her 'jacket'.

A bit of retail therapy and then back to watch the remainder of Andy's demo.

It was a great way to spend a day, especially as the weather wasn't that wonderful - thank you Andy for another super session of tips, ideas and inspiration.................................................

Yipee!!!...

...I got my wish.

The new Distress colour for September is "Wilted Violet" - isn't it a fabulous mauve/purple shade.

I have been keeping my fingers crossed for a colour like this to be added to the collection and here it is...I'm a happy bunny.

With just 3 shades to go, I wonder if Andy will get the 'solid white' that he is hoping for.....................

Certainly the time of year...

...for more 'comfort foods'.

As the weather starts to turn and the nights are drawing in, do you find yourself turning to more 'comfort' type foods?

I certainly do...and whilst some are quite healthy - veggie stews, soups etc. (as long as you don't include the chunks of fresh, buttered bread LOL)...there are others that are not so healthy.

More cakes start to creep in...

...and with the lovely Muffin stall at the Farmer's market twice a month, it is easy to have a supply on hand - not good for the waist-line but boy do they taste yummy.

Packets of crumpets also seem to leap into my shopping basket more often as the weather gets chillier - who can resist a lovely hot crumpet with lashings of butter Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Do you notice a change in your eating habits as the seasons change?...............................................

I can't believe...

...how good I've been.

Rather than buy a lot of ready prepared veggies, the last couple of weeks I've been going to the Farm Shop at Barleylands.

(photo is from the Windows 10 selection of desktop images)

As we head into Autumn (yes I know we haven't had a proper Summer - yet!) I always look forward to the appearance of things like Butternut Squash and the seasonal veggies that start to arrive in more of the shops - but they can be quite expensive. My local Morrison's had Butternuts at a £1 each and they were quite small - the Farm shop were doing them at 4 for a £1 and they were a lot larger.

In all the years that I've lived in this area, I have driven past the Farm shop but never ventured in until two weeks ago.

I have now visited twice and each time come out loaded with a fabulous selection of goodies.

Squashes and cauliflower, cabbages and carrots.

I have also been very industrious - my freezer is packed with freshly prepared squash & cauliflower and I now have a batch of veggie stew boxed up and ready to add to the stock. I have to say I'm quite proud of myself for actually getting it all done.

Unfortunately, my freezer isn't large otherwise I would be back at the Farm shop for more veggies to add but never mind. It is now on my list of places to visit regularly and I intend to keep my freezer well stocked with fresh goodies this Winter.

Gosh...straighten the halo Toni LOL

At least now I know I have a stock of some of my favourite veggies and I'm looking forward to tucking in....................................................................................

The Snowman...

...made me buy it.

Oh how this made me smile when I saw it at the weekend...

...what a fun sentiment to use this coming Christmas.

Poor Joanne at Pinnacle Crafts was trying to get everything priced and on display - a huge task as there were so many products from the latest DoCraft ranges that needed to have space made for them.

This clear stamp is from the new Papermania "Folk Christmas" range. A collection that I have to admit, didn't really appeal to me but when I saw this stamp it was a 'must have'.

There are some folk that I traditionally buy a 'daft' present for and I think this stamp will be perfect for making the gift tags for those presents. I also have visions of some stamped wrapping paper - don't you think that will be fun.

Christmas goodies are arriving in the stores quite rapidly now and with the wet chilly weather that has put in an appearance, I have no problem getting stuck into my Christmas crafting even if it is only the start of September..........................................................................................

Getting ready for...

...Christmas.

I have been enjoying colouring some of my Magnolia stamps that haven't seen the light of day (or an ink-pad) for some time. Some of this is down to the fact that I have been doing a lot of colouring ready for Christmas and I would say that I have quite a few Christmas Magnolias so it has been an ideal opportunity to dig them out.

This little cutie is done in traditional colours...

...and I also had a play with a friend's fancy nesting dies. In addition to cutting the image, I cut some kraft CS so that I have a ready made topper for when I get around to putting a few more Christmas cards together.

My stack of coloured images is growing nicely and if I can get the drives on my PC sorted (yep, still not done - grrrr) I might even get some time to have a go at a few challenges - we shall see.

Having a good stock of images that I have coloured is a bit of a comfort-blanket for me. I really don't like the feeling of having nothing to hand that can be used when the occasion arises.

Do you just colour images as you need them or do you like to have a stock too...................................