Friday 26 April 2013

The Mouse Dispenser...

... oh ho!  AlfieCat has been up to tricks again... more of that in a mo though... first let me show you a demo tag I did whilst at Ally Pally a few weekends ago.  I was demoing the fabby new Distress Paints and my fave Studio 490 goodies.  Now, followers of old will know exactly how I struggle with that l'il ol' thang called... colour!  Oh yesh, I shy away from it, I live in my comfort zone of blues, browns and greens... and occasionally foray into realm of pinkyness but never do I usually go for oranges and reds.  Well, a lovely lady had come along to see me demo and said "can you do something in the reds and oranges?"  So I said "*gulp* Yep, sure can....(whilst breaking out in a light covering of dew)  Anyways... this here tag is the result.



The paints used are Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade and Barn Door.  I know! Bright!  I smooshed the paints onto the craft sheet, dipped the tag and then spritzed with water... I should have spritzed first as the colour is just *that* side of heavy.  The jug was covered with Rock Candy Crackle and once dried, I used Picket Fence and Black Soot, dabbed over the top and then blended with my finger to make it go a grey colour.  The crackles look fab and aren't showing up much on the pics.  I then overstamped the jug with the co-ordinating stamp using Jet Black Archival ink.  The rose is also an Art Part, painted and then stamped and stamped underneath too so I have the stem and leaves showing.  A smidge of stencilling with Forest Moss and the new leafy Stencils for Art and voila, one... ahem... very bright tag!



Anyways... AlfieCat!  So, he went out yesterday morning and was sitting staring at the drainpipe that is on the end of the house.  Huh?  WeirdoCat more like.  About an hour later, I went out and saw him sitting in exactly the same place... still staring at the drainpipe.  So I gets down on my hands and knees and stares at the drainpipe too. Nope, not a sausage can I see, so I call him a "div" and go back inside.  Any road, half an hour later, I go out again (I was doing *chores* emptying bins etc, I don't make a habit of being in and out all day lol)  And he was still there.  Still staring at the chuffing drainpipe!!!  So, once again I got down on my hands and knees (not a pretty sight, nor an easy feat with this ol' war wound) and then I heard something!!!  A little scrabbling scratchy noise!  So, I lifted up the bottom of the pipe and out comes some leaves and some moss... and... POUNCE.. goes the not so WeirdoCat Alf... he has got his prize... a mouse!!!  So, actually, I owe Alf an apology... he was waiting for over two hours in total to get that... well, I tried to grab said mousingtons off him but he did that daft cat dance thing again and beggared off down the garden.  An hour later he is in my Room of Stash... with the (now deceased...) ex-mouse.  I hear that apparently if they bring you a mouse it means they loves ya... well, yep, Alf must love his Mummy cos that sure ain't the first time he has done that.  Clever boy *she says proudly*  Right, I shall loves ya and leaves ya... Thanks for looking, have a fabby day!  TTFN

Hels x

27 comments:

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

A mouse for you...how sweet!!! You should do more color!!! You do it well! Love the flower too...just beautimous!

Redanne said...

I agree with Anita, you should do colour more often...... I am sure Alfie cat loves you muchingtons but perhaps he could find a better way to show you.........

Fuchsia said...

ROFL! you have made my day start with a chuckle .
Hels you should write a little book with the doings of Alfie cat I a sure he has his own fan club by now LO
I love the tag the colors are awesome sometimes we just have to go for it I must admit I am the same and like you often say its just paper and you dont have to keep it which I am starting to make notes on LOL x

Inkypinkycraft said...

Well the tag looks great but I admit I am with you on the whole colour thing! Bless Alfie! Trace x hugs x

Carole Z said...

Oooh Hels, you do colour so well, this tag is gorgeous!!! Glad you liked my flower, see I do pay attention in class, lol..and as for Alfiecat, he loves ya loads but couldn't he find some choccies or flowers for you? :) Hugs Carole Z xx

Helen said...

yay for the colour!! Alfie is a dedicated mouser, that's for sure - not certain I'd sit and wait 2 hours for a mouse to move!

ginny c said...

Lovely tag love the colours, you do make me laugh with your daily tales best wishes gonny

Patricia Howarth said...

Morning Hels, Ohhhhh, I just hate it when they do that, it always amazes me how patient they will be when a mouse is smelled. Thankfully, we have nearly always managed to release the mice that Lizzie has brought in, as it really upsets me, that is the part of 'nature' or 'instinct' that I don't like ha ha.
Your tag is gorgeous, loving the colour blending, you must have been 'right out of your comfort zone', but you should use these colours more often.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

Marleine said...


Morning Hels,

I too am out of my comfort zone with oranges and yellow, but your tag positively zings. It's beautiful. X

melanie said...

Stunning you should do this more its fantastic ,I bet alfie is really glad you helped him .Melanie

Lynne M said...

Hi Hels, the colours are gorgeous, the tag really "zings" . Alfiecat is a marvel, what dedication he showed. Not sure I would like him bringing me a pressie though . At least my poochies aren't quick enough to bring me the birds they chase in the garden ( soooooo grateful for that ). Hope your peeps are better . Lol Lynne M x x

nattyboots said...

OMGoodness my greatest fear are mice i would have run a mile if i was presented with one ...

Your tag looks gorgeous ,i always shy away from yellows .

Elaine H X

nannapat said...

I've got a phobia about mice so I wouldn't thank Alfie for his gift! I love this tag Hels, the colours are absolutely gorgeous - you should do brights more often. Pat x

Unknown said...

Fab tag, love the colour, it is hard to go out of your comfort zone colour wise! Alfiecat, know the sitting, waiting, scene! Tallie has been sat by the compost bins!!

Unknown said...

Ooh Hels, I haven't laughed so much in ages, thank you. My son just stood there and looked at me as if I was daft! I no Alfie cat is only doing what comes naturally, but omg, I would have died! In fact just the thought of it gives me palpitations! As for you on all fours, how on earth did you get down there or even get back up! We mortals don't have the same instincts, thank goodness. Your tag is fab, you should dip your toes into bright colours a bit more, it looks great. Did you take your eye to the docs, you didn't say how it was. Anyway, looking forward to the "next adventure of Alfie cat" He should have his own blog!! Have a great day, crafty hugs Debbie R xx

EmmaT said...

Morning Hels, ah bless Alfie bringing you a gift! My cat loves digging slow worms out the hedge ive had one in the kitchen once, screamed so loud she hasn't done it since! Gorgeous tag and love the colours. Emma

rachel said...

gorgeous tag Hels and so good to hear about Alfie cats patience - my Missy is a proper mouser - we have to have her on permanent lock out or the house would be overrun with mice - she likes to bring them in to play with you see and sometimes they get under doors where Missy can't reach them!!! Nightmare!!!!

Joanne said...

The milk jug rose - just perfect. AlfieCat is a true treasure for bringing you a present, despite it's condition. My Purdy used to deliver the odd deceased mouse but tended to eat them just as she got them home whereas our Toby used to bring them in alive and let them go. His dadi ended up chasing the darn things all over the place and got bitten when the caught them.
Little treasures for sure.
xx

Caroline said...

I think Alfie should have his own blog, Mice In My Paws or suchlike, lol. Yes, it is a gift & a sense of "look how clever I've been mummy?!" I used to get various gifts but my boy didn't kill many, just played with them (example: a frog, he would lightly tap it's bottom to make it leap? Had to rescue it before it had a heart attack...)
Anyways..... I absolutely adore this tag, the colours ARE great (go on, admit it...hee hee?)
Thank you for bringing cheer to this rainy day!! :))

Claudine said...

Beautiful tag Hels.

Crafty Lark said...

Love your tag and happy colours. xx Flora

whyducks said...

Oh that is a lovely tag, I love the colours! Alfiecat don't you worry if Hels get too abusive you are welcome to come live with me!

Von said...

Love the tag Hels

carol edwards said...

Hi Hels like the tag but not too sure about colours. Oh dear Alfie cat as much as I like you I have a real phobia about mice

Pat Taylor said...

Alfie isn't the only one who loves his mummy! Our Tilly came strutting across the back garden with this thing dangling from her mouth! I was sat in conservatory with a friend having a chinwag and she said its a bird!! I said its not, as Tilly trotted past us and out through the cat flap in the back gate! It's a mouse I said a blooming big one! I ran through the lounge to the front window and Tilly struts round and drops it near the bench! Very predictable is our Tilly! Shouted for OH to come and get it from her so he went to look! She's sat on low wall very proud of herself! Oh gets a carry bag and back out he goes! In the meantime Tilly is tapping the mouse trying to get it to move! Poor thing had died of shock! It's body was at least 4 ins long! We usually only get cute little mice! We just love our cats don't we, bless 'em!!!

Tracy Heaton said...

You're lucky you get the whole mouse, I usually get the liver left outside the bedroom door - lovely when you get up in the dark and stand in it.

nikkib said...

Oh yes, Alfie loves his mummy lots..... I am lucky mine dont hunt much, although last year I was not too well and in bed and my Tinxy Boo gets a bird and brings it in and upstairs, hot on her heels was my hubby and she was steered downstairs and out the door, with door shut on her so she could enjoy her take out in peace... love them lots though..... loving your blog, its a page which opens when I start my browser so I always read what you've been up too... x

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