CATTUS LIBRUM

Hiya folks! hope everyone is well on this very muggy Friday night. Phew it's been a stinker today, even baby Mo has been too hot and has been stretched out flat on her tummy with front and rear legs in front and behind her!!!. 

I have made a card for my lovely niece who had to have surgery this week. I went to see her today and wanted to make her something to cheer her up. She absolutely loves cats and had not yet used my gorgeous Stampendous cat stamp called Cattus Librum. I adore this stamp it is so cool!!!.

I thought I would have a go at one of these bows on a card. I have seen this style on gifts and wondered what it would be like to make one and I am quite happy with how it turned out. 


I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;


PAPERTAKE WEEKLY - Make your own (I made my bow)
SIMON SAYS - Anything goes
CRAFTY CREATIONS - Buttons
CHARIZMA CARDS - Monochrome
JOANNA SHEEN - Animal crackers
CUTE CARD THURSDAY - Distressing
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE VINTAGE - Anything goes
CRAFTS & ME - Anything goes
TRULY, MADLY, CRAFTY CHALLENGES - Animals
CRAFTING WHEN WE CAN CHALLENGES - Monochrome

I hope that everyone is looking forward to the weekend and whatever plans you have make it a good one!!!. I am busy in the craft room with cards and DT work. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs Clare xxx

HERE COMES CHRISTMAS!!!

Hello everyone, wow another beautiful day!!!. I think it's set to be lovely all week and what a start to the kiddies holiday's. 

Sorry i've been absent for a couple of days as I know I had promised to show you my second Polka Doodle sample from the show on Saturday BUT I have another two baby hoglets which arrived on Sunday as did my baby Mo!!!. Mo is not quite such a baby now, she's a big girl and I have her for keeps now!!!. Going to take some pic's later when it cools down and do an update post for you all.

Ok so here is the card that I did for the launch of the brand new HERE COMES CHRISTMAS CD from POLKA DOODLES.

I absolutely love this CD. Digi crafting is totally new to me but I can definitely confirm I have been converted!!!. It is so easy and there is so much that you can do. Don't get me wrong I will never stop loving my stamps and they will remain a massive part of my crafting but I now have the bonus of CD's too!!!. 

Thank you for all of your lovely comments and emails regarding my recipe box in the last post. When I get the chance I am planning to do a tutorial as I know a few of you asked how to make it so bear with me folks.

Thanks for stopping by today!.

Big hugs Clare xxx

"HERE COMES CHRISTMAS" NEW POLKA DOODLES CD!!!!

Hope everyone is having a happy Saturday!!!. Well I am very excitable today as Nikky  at POLKA DOODLES has just been on the first show of the day at Create & Craft to launch the brilliant new Christmas CD "HERE COMES CHRISTMAS". 

The boss lady has been keeping us all busy hard working on samples for the show and I got very excitable seeing all of our creations!!! I even got a mention!!! this is all new to me not being on a DT before so I made sure I stocked up with the Tenna lady before the show came on lol. 

The new Christmas CD is amazing and so easy to work with. I am going to show you one of my samples today from the show so that you can see the gorgeous papers and images. 

I decided to make an accordian style recipe box. I was so excited as Nikky had printed and laminated some recipe sheets to put in the box for the show. I just did not get enough time to do that so was well chuffed. 

There is another show on at 4pm today so go check it out. I know I am going to be glued to the box again!!!. 

Thanks for stopping by today guys and have a great day.

Big hugs Clare xxx

LETS GO GREEN & RECYCLE!!!!

That is the challenge for this week over at POLKA DOODLES!!!. Really enjoyed this challenge as it really gets you looking around the house searching for those things to use. Here are my makes;

You all know how much I love my furbabies and a regular treat for them is a box of cat grass. The box is made of a good thick card and comes apart to good sized piece which can be used to alter. I had enough to make these three bookmarks. I cut them to size and covered the card with this yummy polka dot card from the Polka Doodles PRETTY TUFF CD. I used the three gorgeous images from EMMA CANNING which are Paige, Millie & Summer. The sentiment is from STUDIO 12 PICKNIX COLLECTION 1 CD. I coloured the images with PROMARKERS and distressed edges with Tim Holtz BRUSHED CORDUROY INK PAD. The pretty red beads are DOODLE DEWDROPS. All of these above items can be purchased from the Polka Doodles shop HERE.

The ribbon was from my stash and the gorgeous ribbon border punch is by Stampin Up.

I would love it if all of my friends would play along this week. Remember you do not have to use Polka Doodles items to play along. Just follow the challenge to win some awesome prizes!!!. 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Big hugs Clare xxx

POLKA DOODLES OLYMPICS CHALLENGE & BLOG HOG HOP!!!

Well it's my very first challenge at POLKA DOODLES being part of the design team and I am soooooo excited!!!!. Not only a fantastic challenge but also a "BLOG HOP" where you can win some special prizes. You will need to participate in both the challenge and the blog hop to be in with a chance of winning. 

The challenge is Red/White/Blue and to add something to your project that denotes Britain to you for the olympics. The hop will finish at 12 noon on Sunday 22nd July. The prizes are as follows;

First prize - Studio 12 Picknix Collection 1 CD

Second & third prize - an Emma Canning download

So if you have arrived at me from KITTY then you are in the right place and I am at the end of the line, well done!!!!. As long as you have been to all of the girls on the list HERE and left us all a comment at each blog then you will be in with a chance of winning those amazing prizes!!!. 

Here is my card that I have made for the challenge;

I have used one of the gorgeous downloads by Emma Canning and she is the Paige Wedding Day image which you can purchase HERE at the Polka Doodles shop. I have paper pieced Paige's dress with the union jack papers. Emma Canning's downloads are so versatile that I have been able to change the wedding dress to suit this occasion. All papers and other images are by Nikky from her Britannia collection which you can find on POLKA DOODLE DANDIES Facebook page.  

Ok guys good luck with the hop and don't forget to leave a comment!!!.

Hope my lovely friends will pop in at Polka Doodles and take part. Thank you for all of your lovely comments in the last post, it really does mean so much to me.


I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;


CRAFTY CATZ - Get ready for the olympics
FAT PAGES WITH ATTITUDE - Anything goes
JOYFUL STAMPER - Anything goes
THE POODLES PARLOUR - Use a digi
RAISE THE BAR - Red, white & blue
WAGS N WHISKERS - Red, white & blue
SJ PAPER CRAFTS - Red, White & blue
CRAFTY CREATIONS - Free for all
SCRAPALICIOUS - Red, white & blue
PAPER & SUCH - Red, white & blue
TIDDLY INKS - Red, white & blue
CD SUNDAY CHALLENGE - Best of British

Big hugs Clare xxx

SOME EXCITING NEW TO SHARE!!!!

Well I promised you all some happy news that I would like to share and I am now able to tell you all. 

You have probably noticed I have not been around as much and as you all know that is partly down to the many animal visitors I have!!!. I have been really busy creating too because Nikky Hall from Polka Doodles has asked me on to her design team!!!. I am so excited and have been itching to tell you all. I applied for the DT about 3 weeks ago and a week later I had an email from Nikky asking me to join her design team. I have been busy getting challenge projects done and with the launch of new products coming up I have been beavering away making samples for upcoming shows.

I am taking part in my first challenge on Friday (14th) and would be really excited if you could pop over and check it out. I will be blogging it Friday too with details.

Thank you for letting me share this news with you.

Big hugs Clare xxx

BIZZY BEE!!!

Hello my lovely friends. So sorry I have not been around this week but as the title suggests I have been a bizzy bee!!!. It's been one of those weeks of appointments and getting those neglected jobs finished. I am flagging a lot at the moment and thinking it could be a combination of tiredness and my treatment is due on Sunday. 

I have just found out that baby Mo will be getting a teeny play mate this weekend. Yes we have another little orphan on it's way to the bungalow and he is half the size of Mo!!!. I am going to write about the hedgies in my next post with photo's so don't despair my friends.

I have a card that I have been working on this week in between being busy. It is a different style and my inspiration came from a very talented lady Mariannes Papirverden and there is a tutorial on how to make the card. 

INGREDIENTS

WHITE LINEN CARD

BROWN, BLUE & PINK BAZZILL CARD

THERESE COLLINS SHABBY CHIC CARD

LOTV IMAGE & SENTIMENT

WILD ORCHID ROSES

PEARLS FROM STASH

MARTHA STEWART LACE BORDER PUNCH

SPELLBINDERS CIRCLES & DOILY MOTIVES

PROMARKERS

I am entering the card into the following challenges;

PAPERTAKE WEEKLY  - Anything goes

LILI OF THE VALLEY - Anything goes
READY TEDDY GO - Up, up and away
FAT PAGES & CARDS WITH ATTITUDE - Anything goes
FUSSY & FANCY CHALLENGE - Fancy folds
PAPERPLAY CHALLENGES - Happy Birthday
SOUTHERN GIRLS CHALLENGE - Use pearls
WHIMSY INSPIRES - Anything goes
CREATALICIOUS CHALLENGES - Anything goes
TUESDAY THROWDOWN - Summertime
TWISTED TUESDAY CHALLENGES - Old stripes
CRAFTY BLOGGERS NETWORK - Anything goes
MAKE IT MONDAY - Anything goes

Hope you are all looking forward to the weekend and lets hope the weather is going to 
improve. The sun has been shining brightly in Eastbourne all afternoon after a wet start. What a crappy Summer it has been so far!!!!.

I will be back very soon and I will have some exciting news to share!!!!.

Take care & big hugs

Clare xxx

SANTA IN BLUE!!!

Goodmorning everyone!!! hope you are all having a great Sunday. It's nice and sunny in Eastbourne but so windy, enough to blow your barnet off!!!. 

Well I am actually up to day with the Christmas Card Club challenges now and this fortnight it was Chris' turn. She has chosen "Santa in blue" as the theme. Admittedly I did a double take when I saw this which goes to show what a smutty mind I have lol. Shamefully this is the only Santa stamp that I have. I have lots of animals dressed up as Santa but not a traditional Santa stamp. So this one had to do. Thought it would make a good kiddy card. This is what I came up with.

INGREDIENTS

WHITE LINEN CARD

DO CRAFTS BLUE POLKA DOT/BAUBLE CARD

FUN STAMPS SANTA WITH GIFT STAMP

MAGENTA TREE STAMP

STICKLES (DIAMOND AND BLACK DIAMOND)

PROMARKERS (BLACK, IVORY, BLUSH, BERRY RED, FOREST GREEN & DUCK EGG)

SENTIMENT PEEL OFF FROM STASH

If anyone is interested in joining a group of us girls every fortnight to make a Christmas card to top up your stash just email me or any of the other ladies in the group. You can find them all on my side bar. Go pop over and check out their lovely creations. 

I'm off to the rescue centre this afternoon which I am looking forward to. Baby Mo is going great guns. She is with her second Mummy until tomorrow to give me a bit of a break. Will be back with more pics and the video I promised next week.

Take care everyone and big hugs to all.

Love Clare xxx

AN UPDATE ON BABY MO & MY MAD WEEK!!!

Hello my lovelies. I know, no word from me for a week then 3 posts in one day!!!. I am so sorry for not being around and I feel that I have been neglecting my lovely friends with not visiting your blogs. I apologise now and will get around to see you over the next few days.

This is a very long post so may want to get a cuppa!!!!.

Some fantastic news is that baby Mo is doing brilliantly and is now weighing 90g!!!. She has her eyes and ears open now and is growing fur (although not a lot!).  She is doing all little hedgie things but she looks like a little old lady as she is still so wobbly on her little legs. Got a few pic's to share and hopefully tomorrow will be doing a little video of her. WARNING PHOTO OVERLOAD!!!!!.

Awwww isn't she a little cutie!!!!. The photo's have been taken throughout the week so the one where baby Mo is on the scales weighing 60g was a few days ago. She is gaining around 6-8g a day so she is doing so well. Had to show you the one to show you her little tail. She is so funny and wags it like a dog sometimes!!!.

I have had some amazing news over the weekend as I spent Saturday and Sunday at the rescue centre. We were talking about Mo and they are allowing me to keep her and when she is fully grown I can do a soft release in my garden!!!. A soft release means that she will be in a run enclosure with a cabin to get her used to the outside over a few weeks. When she is ready I can release her. She may not be ready to go through this stage until next spring so she will hibernate at home here. I am so excited as I will have seen little Mo throughout being days old until she is grown. I will share my experience with you throughout and post regular pic's and news.

I brought Harry home on Sunday and another hoggy, Charley who I found with an abscess a few weeks ago. Harry was the hoggy that stayed with me for 3 weeks and he had lungworm and pneumonia and he was not getting any better with the vetinary treatment he was getting so WRAS decided to take over (you can see his story in previous posts). Harry is still a bit rattly but it looks like he has some lung damage from his illness so glad he has been able to be released back here so I can keep an eye on him. Here are some pic's before I released them both.

CHARLIE

HARRY

 DOES HARRY LOOK LIKE A CHILLED OUT HEDGEHOG!!!

They both got their pep talk before they were released to come get me if they ever need me!!!. Although I worry so much about the one's I release I know that their release is everything to them and to see them well and ready to go is such a great feeling. I hate seeing them locked up in a cage while they are recovering from being sick but hopefully they realise that we are doing it for their own good.

I had an amazing weekend at the rescue centre. Saturday was a get together, bingo and beer evening!!! I won the main prize which is a lovely canvas picture so that is sitting in my hallway. We turned up really early so I could meet everyone who was still working. I stood in amazement at all of the love and care the animals receive. At one point it was like a scene from ER as a hedgehog went into respitory arrest. There were tiny oxygen mask being put on him, injections, drips etc. It is so good to see that their lives are treated as preciously as humans and when I went back in on Sunday she was doing really well.

I had an awesome experience with two little foxes. One which is very poorly is a juvenile so still very small was in a RTA. I had to hold him while Monica removed a drip. He was so brave and just looked up at us as if he understood we were trying to help him.The other was a fox cub recovering from mange. He was incredibly cheeky and was playing with the broom!!!. We let him out into the room whilst his cage was being cleaned and he loved it. 

I helped Monica give meds, feed the birds and clean cages. I just love it down there and they just do an awesome job.

Just to let you guys know as many of you kindly ask and email. I had the hospital yesterday to see my rheumatologist. He is very happy with the new drug that I am having. I started on the Sympony home injections 5 months ago and thankfully I am not getting any nasty side effects and it is not interfering with my bloods like the other's. I am not getting as many bad flare up's like I was before I went on the treatment, another great sign. On the not so good side the drug is not helping my pain. I am still in pain everyday but at least it isn't being made any worse by lots of major flare up's. I am just so happy that I can tolerate the drug as it is supposed to slow down the diseases progress. There is no cure but even if it can slow things down that will make me a very happy girl. Have had a rough day today but think it was being examined yesterday and being pulled around. Thank you so much for your lovely messages about my RA you are all so kind. Again I will keep you updated.

Right I have probably bored you all to tears so will push off!!!. Mo is going to her second Mum tomorrow till Monday so will have a little break and hopefully get some cardmaking and commenting done. Just know that I never neglect my friends because I cannot be bothered, just get times when really busy or not too well.

A big congratulations to the lovely CHRISSY for winning the £20 gift voucher today. Go pop over to her blog and see her gorgeous creations.

Big hugs Clare xxx

CHRISTMAS CLUB CARD CLEAN & SIMPLE CHALLENGE

Yes i'm traditionally late with the Christmas Card Club challenge but I know my friends will understand. My life is definitely chaotic at the moment. Going to update you with baby Mo in my next post and about what has been happening.

The challenge for the fortnight was to make a clean & simple card set by the lovely Anne. This is what I made and have been a good girl and made 2 cards!!!.

Sorry they are not great pic's. They are very glary. Cards are the same except one portrait and other is landscape. 

INGREDIENTS

WHITE PEARLESCENT, SHINY RED CARD & RIBBON FROM STASH

LOTV CHRISTMAS SENTIMENT STAMP

CUTTLEBUG BAUBLE & SNOWFLAKE EMBOSSING FOLDERS

MS BORDER PUNCH

SPELLBINDERS CIRCLES

HOLLY, BERRIES & SILVER CORNER FROM WILD ORCHID

If you would like to play along with the Christmas Card Club just contact me or any of the girls on my side bar for the information. You can see the other girls gorgeous work on there blogs by clicking on their names.

Thankyou for stopping by.

Big hugs Clare xxx

CANDY WINNER!!!

So sorry the draw is a day late (will explain in my next post). I have numbered all of the ladies in the order of when they commented. Although I have used the Random.org generator I have been unable to copy it onto this post so I have photographed it instead!!!!. Before the draw I would like to thank everyone who entered. I just wish that you could all win the voucher. 

1. Happy Days

2. Anne 

3. Jackid

4. Penni

5. Crafty Kitten

6. Marion

7. Carol

8. Sue W

9. Chris 

10. Claire

11. Tilly

12. Doreen

13. Amanda R

14. Victoria

15. Kara Lynne

16. Gibmiss

17. Sarah

18. Zoe

19. Cheryl

20. Coldwaters2

21. Squirrel

22. Christy Beans

23. Rose Petal

24. Sally

25. Chrissy

26. Elaine

27. Okienurse

28. Deanne

29. Hazel

30. Pinky

So without further ado the winner is....................

CHRISSY!!!!!!

Congratulations chick!!!!!

You can choose the voucher from one of these three shops;

Lili of the Valley

Zoe Bunny

The Craft Barn

If you email me on earlygirl1@hotmail.co.uk and let me know where I can send the voucher and which one you have decided to go for.

I would like to say a huge thank you to all of my friends whether you entered or not. I am so lucky to have even made it to 100 followers and sometimes wonder why!!!. You guys really keep me going, inspire me and encourage me to create. As well as that you are all so accepting of the other aspects of my blog including the animals, my rheumatoid and my family.  

If I ever win the lottery there will be gift voucher's in abundance to all of my friends!!!.

Love you guys!

Big huge hugs Clare, Bert & Simone xxxxxxxxxxx

FOUR DAYS LEFT TILL MY CANDY IS DRAWN!!!!!

Wow I cannot believe how quickly the weeks have gone since I first put up my candy!!!. 

There is only four more days to go for my followers to add  their comment HERE to be in with a chance of winning a £20 gift voucher.

I need to figure out how to add one of those random generator thingies before the draw lol, haven't got a clue but I will get there!!!. Can always draw a name out of the hat I guess!. 

Hugs Clare xxx

BABY MO AND BIG BILLY

Hello all, I just wanted to pop some pic's up of baby Mo. Unfortunately her other 3 Brother's and Sister have died over the past few days so we only have little Mo left. She is so beautiful and I am praying with all my might that she is strong enough to survive.

Mo has her teddy which she has been snuggling up to to keep warm along with a heat pad and lots of blankets!!!. 

The story behind little Mo and her siblings were they nearly got burnt to death on a bonfire. A couple had decided to knock their shed down in their garden. They found what they thought was an old hedgehog nest (baffled why they didn't bloody well check to see if there was anything still occupying it!). They threw it onto the bonfire ready to light the following day. Twelve hours passed before they got ready to light the fire only to be stopped by the 4 babies squealing inside the nest. Had they not made themselves heard they would have been burnt alive.

The babies actually made it into the local newspaper with the Rescue Centre (WRAS) giving out warnings to people. I feel sad for the Mum too as she has either been scared off by all of the commotion or she was out searching for food when it was all going on.

Please keep everything crossed that this little baby survives. I will take photo's and updates coming.

Some super news is that I got one of my casualties back yesterday!!!. I found him in the garden about 4 weeks ago and he had some nasty head trauma. Billy ended up losing his right eye but he is as fit as a fiddle and I successfully released him at dusk last night. He got a big cuddle and a pep talk before he was released!!! he knows he always has a home and food here and whenever he is in trouble to come get me!!!. 

Sorry the picture's aren't great but the light was not good. Billy is such a beautiful soul and hopefully he will live out the rest of his hoggy life fit and well.

Thanks for stopping by and hope all of my friends are well.

Big hugs Clare xxx

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Hello my lovelies, hope everyone is having a good Sunday. I am really chuffed as just seen that I have made the Daily Talent Spot on Joanna Sheen's challenge blog. It is for my flower's and fairies card on the post below.

I would like to say HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to my lovely Dad today. He is such a great Dad and I feel so blessed to have him in my life. It has not been easy since losing Mum but he is always there for us kids and will do anything for us. 

I made a card for Dad. I have kept it pretty simple as Dad is a no frills type of guy!!!. He loves his gardening so thought this LOTV stamp would be appropriate.

I would like to enter the card into the following challenges;

CHARIZMA CARDZ - Male cards

CRAFT PUNKED - Father's Day

DREAM VALLEY CHALLENGES - For that special guy

WHIMSY INSPIRES - Button & bows

FUSSY & FANCY - Boy attitude

FAB N FUNKY CHALLENGES - Father's day

CRAFTING FOR ALL SEASONS - For men

C.R.A.F.T CHALLENGES - Father's day

MY CRAFT SPOT - Special Dad

CARFTS 4 ETERNITY - Dashing Dad's

THE PINK ELEPHANT - Masculine

I know that this must be a really hard day for those who's Dads are no longer with us. I know I struggle on Mother's Day. You are all in my thought's and I am sending my love.

Thank you for stopping by and have a good Sunday.

Big hugs Clare xxx

FLOWERS & FAIRIES

Happy Saturday everyone!!!. Hope all of my lovely friends are well today. Ummm in yesterday's post I mentioned that I do not have any casualties or babies here at the moment apart from my two furry kids. Think I was a bit hasty as I had a phonecall today from Monica telling me to get the wet wipes out as we have 4 baby hedgehogs on their way!!!. I am taking over from her Monday and will be doing the Mon-Thurs shift each week. Their names are Eaney, Meaney, Miney & Mo (no I didn't name them Lol). I will introduce them to you next week. Keeping everything crossed that all 4 will be here but going by what Monica has told me about how they came to her they sound like real little fighter's. I will fill you in on their story next week.

Ok I have another card to share with you today.  I have made it for a lovely friends Birthday.

INGREDIENTS

WHITE LINEN CARD

DOODLEBUG EMBOSSED WHITE CARD

LOTV FAIRY IMAGE

FLOWERS AND SILVER CORNER FROM WILD ORCHID

DOILY, RIBBON & BRADS FROM STASH

STICKLES (DIAMOND, EUCALYPTUS & PURPLE)

COLOURED WITH PROMARKERS

I'm going to enter the card into the following challenge;

TOP TIP TUESDAY - Sparkles!

LILI OF THE VALLEY - In the garden

CRAFTY CATZ - Embossing
JOANNA SHEEN - Lavendar & lace
BUNNY ZOE - Girls, girls, girls

Don't forget only 9 days left until the deadline on my follower's candy. Go HERE for information!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Big hugs Clare xxxx

GET WELL SOON

Hello my lovelies. Hope everyone is keeping well and enjoying this little break from the rain.

I have another card to share with you today. I made it for my lovely neighbour who recently had an op so wanted to share the love and cheer her up.

It is a gatefold card. I have used a cute LOTV image and used this gorgeous olive gingham card. Flowers are from Wild orchid. 

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

WILD ORCHID - Anything goes

TUESDAY THROWDOWN - Critters

Lots of my lovely friends have been asking about whether I have any casualties or babies that I am looking after at the moment. The answer is no, I have my two furry babies, Bert & Simone but all is quiet on the western front at the moment. I can get a call any time or find an emergency even in my garden but at the moment it is all peaceful. I promise though you will all be the first to know as soon as I have any!!!. It is lovely having a break and I am getting plenty of creating done too. I do miss having different creatures here though!.

Ok guys only 10 days to go before the big candy draw. Remember you can win a £20 gift voucher from the choice of three different crafty shops. To enter and for the rules just click HERE!!!.

Thank you for stopping by today and as always I really do appreciate your lovely comments.

Love & hugs Clare xxx