Kool Kitty Musings

Babe Ruthless...

... she was very good, and now I am really itching to get my skates out LOL - but not sure I am up to doing anything roller derby-related!

It was quite fun to be greeted at the cinema by a local group of roller derby girls all kitted out in their flash sequined Lycra numbers handing out flyers and flapjacks!

Anyway, it was a great film - totally recommend it, the skating bits especially were fab! And Juliet Lewis was in great form as Iron Maven, and Drew Barrymore was quite a character as Smashley Simpson.

Oh and I had a bit of a soft spot for their coach played by Andrew Wilson of the Luke/Owen Wilson dynasty. Had no idea he was a Wilson brother but he as some of the Luke Wilson magic... hehe

Anyway, tonight I have been making my card for tomorrow's DCM dare, but also trying to sort out the right tension on my machine when using a colour top thread and white bobbin thread... It's quite a learning curve but I have been practising!

I am still having issues knowing where the needle is going to start off on the zig zag stitch - hence there was some wonky stitching going on...

But who knows, maybe one day I will progress to fabric!
 

 

Crawling off to bed...

I cannot believe how tired I am this evening. Only got in about an hour or so ago, had my tea and feel like sleeping for a week! LOL

So no cards tonight, although I am itching to play with my sewing machine again. hehe

No playing tomorrow night either (or visiting Hobbycraft for some nice new colours of thread), but I wonder how well equipped Boyes will be in town with Guttermann or Coates reels... if I have time for a nosey!

Tomorrow night I am away to see:

Can't wait, have been eyeing it up since seeing the trailers last year! I secretly always wanted to be in a roller derby! Or disco... hehe

Right, off to watch Masterchef (not liking how they have mucked about with the format this year, much preferred the half-hourly weekday instalments) - it's been a bit of a choppy and blah series, the contestants I most liked were dropped last week and the final three aren't really all that interesting dish-wise.
 

Oooh lookie

I tried out all the stitches on my little machine....

I am rather taken with the scallop one... wondering how to use that on a project. But my fave is of course the large zig zag stitch.

I managed to try out my machine on a couple of card projects.

Prompt: "Elegant Anniversary" - Inspiration: Glittered cardstock/paper, frame, flourish, aged/distressed papers.

Papers: October Afternoon
Stamps: Banana Frog (Build a Daisy), Papertrey Ink
Pearls: Prima
Brad: American Crafts
Other: Glitter cardstock

 

Then I tried my hand at a more vintage look, cripes there is a reason I don't do vintage more often - it always turns out so cackhanded!

Prompt: "Matthew 17:20" - Inspiration: Journaling card/label, vintage trim, photo corners, 2 patterned papers.

Papers: October Afternoon
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Pearls: Prima
Flowers: Prima
Decorative edge: Making Memories
Other: Lace trim

 

Also, I watched a couple of rental DVDs today too:

Obligatory tear shedding in the sad bits!

Good, but not as good as I thought it would be...
 
 
 

Back on the prompt train

 
While watching a couple of DVDs - namely Driving Aphrodite (aka My Life in Ruins):

Which was OK, still not a patch on My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

And Julie and Julia:

Which was fab! Meryl Streep is especially great in this...

I got back on track trying to follow the prompts from the Papercrafts Card a Day book. :o)

So here is yesterday's card and it's also based on CPS sketch #160.

Prompt: "Pink Floral Sympathy" - Inspiration: Detail cut from patterned paper, alpha rub-ons, fabric brads.

 

Papers: Ki Memories
Stamps: Banana Frog - Cupcake Greetings
Punches: Martha Stewart, Marvy
Other: Bling

I didn't follow the prompt too closely but I really went with the pink bit! It's been a while since I had the KI out, and hadn't realised how many papers in the Pop Culture line I'd managed to procure... so about time I used some!

I love this font in the Banana Frog Cupcake Greetings set - I wish there was a whole everyday Greetings set in it! :o)

And I rather like the Martha Stewart punched border, don't own the punch but I had a strip of this included with an order and it is very sweet. hehe

Next up today's card using a more recent purchase.

Prompt: "Thoughts & Prayers" - Inspiration: Paisley, flourishes, tag/ribbon combo, square card.

Papers: My Mind's Eye
Die cuts: My Mind's Eye
Stamp: Papertrey Ink
Ribbon: Scrapworks
Other: Pearls, mini bag pocket

Here's the inside with a bit more Paisley.

I just love these Be Loved papers from My Mind's Eye, I really wish I had an extra sheet of all the designs in the kit because the designs on the reverse are as lovely as the designs on the front.

And there we have it for another weekend. I think I will have to aim for an early night if I have any hope of getting up at 7 a.m. now the clocks have gone forward! 

Sunday sunshine

 
It has been a gloriously sunny day today, but still very cold outside. So I've been admiring the nice weather from my window while catching up with some cardmaking.

I even managed to watch a DVD and catch up on Medium. :o)

Anyway, here's yesterday's card.

Prompt: "Together" - Inspiration: Doily/lace, three buttons, bird on a branch, pinking/deckle edge.

Paper: Pink Paislee
Stamps: My Cute Stamps
Border punch: Martha Stewart
Buttons: Papertrey Ink
Die: Nestabilities
Other: Velvet ribbon, Liquid Pearls

I went a bit OTT trying to flatten the Liquid Pearls. But never mind. <g>

And today's card called for something I've not used in an age... vellum!

Prompt: "Loves You Still" - Inspiration: Vellum, crochet trim/flowers, overlay, printed quote/greeting.

Stamps: My Cute Stamps
Brads: Doodlebug
Die: Nestabilities
Other: Vellum, Promarkers

I die-cut the label in the vellum and then attached it to the card using the glitter brads, then stamped the greeting inside. Cuteness abounds again with My Cute Stamps. :)  

This is the movie I watched this afternoon:

So how was "I Hate Valentine's Day"?

Hm, it was OK, nothing to write home about or a movie I'd probably watch again. It had some nice moments but was a bit OTT in places. However, nice to see John Corbett again. ;o)

Am hoping to see Alice in Wonderland this week, in 3D too! But before that I have to get through Monday... which looks to be rather a hectic day.

Why is it?

You can have a gazillion different buttons, yet not find the right ones for your projects???

I asked myself this a lot this evening during Relocation, Relocation, Relocation when I had the contents of several button jars tipped over my desk...

And all because of today's Card a Day card!

Prompt: "Button Tree Thanks" - Inspiration: Button elements, spots and stripes, mini-greeting, kraft.

Paper: October Afternoon
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Ribbon: American Crafts
Other: Liquid Pearls, buttons

This arrived in the mail from Lovefilm today:

The reviews are mixed, I know it's no Big Fat Greek Wedding (ha will there be anything that tops that in the comfort movie category), but I have a real soft spot for John Corbett...

Right, back to Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares!
 
 
 

Catch-up time

So I managed to make some head way with my cards today, and am all caught up now. :o)

I even did another card for Friday's prompt. <g>

Prompt: "Best Friends" - Inspiration: Journaling card, rub-on alphabet, decorative trim, brown background.

Paper: Pink Paislee
Rub-ons: 7Gypsies
Stamps: 7Gypsies
Brads: SEI
Trim: Fancy Pants
Other: Liquid Pearls

This one is for Mother's Day - I think it highly unlikely ma will see this before the day... so think I am safe to post.

Next up, yesterday's card. :o)

Prompt: "Love Your Pet" - Inspiration: Accordion-fold card blank, orange/green/blue, stamped character.

Paper: Crate Paper
Rub-ons: Crate Paper, Basic Grey

I rather like how this accordion fold card turned out, plus the little sun using the Basic Grey rub-on. 

Only a couple of rub-ons left from this collection, I think it has been one of my favourite paper lines to use recently.

And last but not least, today's card.

Prompt: "Grateful For You" - Inspiration: Hot pink/brown/white, stamped flowers, heat embossing, bling.

 

Paper: Sassafras Lass, Luxe Designs
Rub-ons: Prima
Stamp: Papertrey Ink
Dies: Nestabilities, Sizzix

 

I also watched Ironman today whilst sticking and clagging, pretty good so I'm quite looking forward to seeing the sequel on DVD as well. :o)

Right, well best tidy up a bit here and call it an early night - that 4 a.m. Olympic viewing is finally catching up with me.
 

Yum yum

Look what I took delivery of today:

Hoping to have some quality time with this little addition tomorrow night. Was out tonight for Pizza at Pizza Express - where once again it took longer to deliver dessert to our table than the main course... 20 minutes to slice a piece of cake and add a strawberry to the top. Good job I bought the movie tickets beforehand as we arrived in our seats just as the trailers began. And the movie...

Nice to see Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane cast against type. ;o) Anyway, it was very enjoyable and a good chick flick - just right for the day after Valentine's too!

And I kind of would like to one day have a Boston Terrier! LOL I am sure this will pass... but man, they are kinda cute! 

Hm, bit of a manly day...

Ooer!

No, I mean the cards I've made today are all rather manly looking and not a sign of pink or glitter or cuteness, well, except maybe the Mr Campy caravans!

I'm now completely up-to-date with my Card a Day activities, but definitely craving some girly prettiness now.

Here's the first one using Cosmo Cricket's Wanted again.

Papers: Cosmo Cricket
Stamps: Sassafras Lass
Die cut accents: Cosmo Cricket
Brads: Making Memories

This card is actually pretty huge as it was made to fit a blank unused envelope I recycled and the inside and back are fully covered in Wanted papers (the perfect way to use up stash in a no-fuss fashion - just cover your entire card blank with it!), mind you it weighs a bit what with that and the screw eyelets. Yep, using up those eyelets too!

And then the Mr Campy came out!

Papers: Cosmo Cricket
Die cut accents: Cosmo Cricket

I think this would work as a Bon Voyage card, or even something quirky for Father's Day - since I am sure there are many dads out there who got harassed with this question from the backseat on long car journeys!

And finally, more Mr Campy:

Papers: Cosmo Cricket
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Die cut accents: Cosmo Cricket
Rub-ons: Doodlebug
Stickers: KI Memories
Ribbon: May Arts

And at last, I have used up what remained of that May Arts ribbon (purchased ca. 2004) - the relief!

Now, I had hoped to be more productive this afternoon - but I put on a DVD while I was crafting, and ended up forgetting the stash and concentrating on the movie. It was one of the best films I've seen in ages, absolutely beautiful to look at and totally engrossing. Definitely see The Fall if you have the chance. :o)

 

Went to see this tonight

It was a little cheesy and slow in places, but my God, it had some of the most hilarious scenes I've seen for a while in it. Seriously I thought I was going to cry with laughter at one moment...

Also on the drive home, I heard this track (that's the nice thing driving home this late, they have great remixes on the radio that you can crank up high). It's a remix of the new Massive Attack single Paradise Circus: 

Will definitely be getting this on iTunes once it's released!

Tonight is

Getting-back-to-my-book night before the new series of America's Top Model is on!

Priorities right? I've had a bit of a tiring day and am not in the mood to make anything, but I am definitely in the mood for PJs and chick lit!

Also my latest Lovefilm rental is:

But when I'm going to watch it I have no idea. Last night, I half-heartedly watched:

Hm, I'm a big Austin Powers fan, well Dr Evil really, I find those films immensely funny even now, but this is no Austin Powers... it's a wonder they got the green light to make this as it's just not in the same league I'm sorry to say. I really hope Mike Myers has some fresher projects in the works as this one was disappointing and just not worth the watch.

A classic...

Every Christmas I always know we will be treated to one of two films, or maybe both....

One is The Sound of Music. The other is of course:

Mary Poppins!

Off out for dinner tonight so not much chance of getting anything new made, I need to go dig out my winter boots for the walk but shall be watching and singing along to Mary Poppins in the meantime!

But I did post this card project on the Frog Blog:

It uses the new Retro Space set.

 
  

Woohoo - the weekend at last...

I have a mini-stack of new books from the library to start reading:

   

 

But which one to start first? I still have the German version of Dance Upon the Air on the go, but need to get these read and back to the library first. :o)

Then I have a couple of DVDs from Lovefilm to watch:

 

I know rather different choices, but that's the luck of the draw with Lovefilm.

Also at some point I need to finally transfer all my photos over from the cameras. Best carve out a few hours for that on Sunday!

And in scrapping news, tomorrow night I'm off up to Zoe's for our monthly scrap night - although she tends to scrap 4 or so pages while I veg in front of the telly and don't bother getting my stash out the boot for lack of mojo. But this time I have something in mind... I had the whim to make some mini-books - well that led me on a little hunt for some suitable albums, always late to the party I am, but Basic Grey and Cosmo Cricket were the albums I was after, but which one to decorate tomorrow night, I need to get shot of some Basic Grey collection packs too - and I've not even picked the photos yet!

Or one of these Cosmo albums (hopefully the last 2 will arrive in the post tomorrow aiding the decision!)

There was a fab project on the Write.Click.Scrapbook blog recently using the above Cosmo Ethan album together with the Girl Friday pack, so I am going to save that one to try my hand at that project. 

Or maybe tomorrow is the day to use this sheer binder from Maya Road?

Decisions, decisions eh?

MIA again

Well things are quite busy gearing up to my hols away next week - I hate the time before actually leaving to go away, lots of to do lists, and all that...  plus scouring the shops looking for bargains.

This year the holy grail seems to be to find a pair of white/summery trousers that fit properly in all crucial areas, but it seems to be an impossible task to find a short fitting pair of trousers in the right size - no matter what size you are. And I am peeved that M&S have not managed to meet the task, as I have a few pairs of Autograph trousers in the perfect length I bought a year or so ago but they have nothing like those any more in the stores and good luck finding a short fit - they just have medium and long in plentitude... grrrr... and I hate that they will no longer allow you to order your size in to try before you buy. :o(

Their sizing is so random now that if you order something online there is no guarantee it'll fit you so I wouldn't want to waste my money on that guessing game - but the surprise star of the shopping hunt has been Sainsbury's, they've had some really nice stuff in - so fingers crossed they will have some new trousers to choose from this week!

But all that aside I had a break from the shopping last night and went to see this with Zoe:

 

Many people over the years have told me I need to read Picoult... well I am afraid as amazing as her books may be I just do not want to put myself through the emotional torture of reading them, I'm not quite ready for it - I wonder if I ever will be! Wibble

But the odd cinematic outing is fine with me, I can sit with a tear-stained face, sniffling away for 2 hours, but being in that state for the length of time it takes me to read a book is a bit dangerous to the psyche!

And yes, call me weird but despite not reading the book, I wanted to know how the book ended before going in and seeing the movie as - all in the name of emotional self-preservation for the famous Picoult Plot Twist Device... but the movie makers decided to go with a rather interesting twist themselves - not going to spoil it, but yeah, if you've read it you are also in for some surprises!

And thankfully my waterproof mascara held up well, there was plenty of sniffling in the audience and the noise of Kleenex packets being emptied, plus the odd manly cough to disguise the aforementioned sniffling... so we went off to Chiquitos for a meal afterwards - I probably should have stuck with a burger, as the salad I had ended up being mega calories - but mega mmmmmmm!

So back to the gym tomorrow night. :oS