Where had the time gone?

Hello again! Just a quick post - can't put any Christmas cards up yet, as they have not been delivered! So, here is a card I made a colleague for his wife's birthday.

This was inspired by this post in which Marlene used a crackle background on her stamp - so I had a go with my new Tim Holtz Distress Rock Candy - which is fabulous! It went well over Copic Markers, and dried so quickly - even for me who has no patience at all! The flowers started white, coloured with the Copics I used on the main image, with a dusting of rock candy stickles - which you can't see that well, but it gave them a lovely twinkle!

Card : White Card Blank, Kraft - Stampin Up!

Papers: Kaiser Craft Waterberry

Stamps: Leanne Ellis Choose - Sugar Nellie

Colour : Copic Sketch Markers

Tools : Oval / Scallop Oval Punches - Stampin Up!, Eyelet Border Punch - Stampin Up!

Embellishments: Prima E-Line Flowers, Craftwork Cards Mini Sentiments, Spacer - Hobby House, Brad - American Crafts, Rhinestones - Kanban, White Satin Ribbon - Stampin Up!

Have a lovely evening! K:-)

Keep On Truckin!

Hello! Thought I'd pop a card up in the blogosphere! Here is a card I made for my FiL for his birthday - it's not until next week, but I made him open it at the weekend! (Not so I could stick it on the blog I hope you understand - but because I won't see him next weekend. Honest.....!)

So, here it is! I love this stamp - its really cute (in a manly way!), and I have not used any of the accessory stamps on the main image, just on the sentiment. The papers are the beautiful 'Blue Awning' from K&Co. I purchased them ages ago (like last year!! - ahem!) from Wendy at the Stamp Attic (don't know if she has any left!), and the mix of agate and pea greens were perfect for a manly card.

Papers : Blue Awning, K&Co

Cardstock : Kraft Cardstock, Stampin Up!

Stamps : Loads of Love, Stampin Up!

Colouring : Copic Markers

Die Cutting : Woodware 3" Scallop Circle Punch

Embellies : Hero Art Stick on Pearls, coloured with Copic Markers

MME Colourful Christmas for The Stamp Attic

Warning! Long post!

Hello Everyone! These cards are now in the tender loving care of Wendy, at The Stamp Attic , so I can show them here!

They were made with the really pretty My Minds Eye Colourful Christmas papers, and embellishments. They were a real joy to work with! It amazes me that Wendy still trusts me with her stock! Lol!
Some of the new Hero Arts Christmas stamps are mixed in too - they just seemed to match quirky cuteness of the papers perfectly. Hope you like them too.

Merry and Bright

Papers : My Minds Eye Colourful Christmas, Cardstock : Bazzill, Tools : Bazzill Jewel Template - Borders, Stamps : Inkadinkadoo Tag Wishes, Colouring : Markers, Sakura Clear Gelly Roll Stardust Pen - applied with Waterbrush, Embellishments : Stick on Gems, Adirondack Dimensional Pearls - Cranberry, Spotty Organza Ribbon

Just love the Prima pearls and flowers on this card - the flowers were so easy to dye with distress ink.

Merry Christmas To You

Papers : My Minds Eye Colourful Christmas, Cardstock : Bazzill, Punches : Leone-Em Ash Branch Punch, Stamps : Cats Life Press Merry Christmas Seal, Ink : Tim Holtz Broken China Distress Ink, Embellishments : MME Brads, MME Die Cut Chipboard, Prima Flowers (Died with Broken China Distress Ink), Prima Pearls, Ranger Stickles in Stardust, Ranger Inkessentials Pen in White

This one is my favourite - just because the chipboard snowman is so cute! The Prima flowers were lightly coated with stickles, and they were so sparkly - sorry you can't see more of that..! The pearl border was made using the new Bazzill Jewel Templates - so many wonderful shapes - no wobbly hands or pencil lines! Bonus!

Merry Christmas Snowman

Papers : My Minds Eye Colourful Christmas, Cardstock : Bazzill, Die Cutting : Spellbinder Nestabilities Circle and Scallop Circle, Tools : Fiskars Apron Lace Punch, Bazzill Jewel Template - Borders, Stamps : Hero Arts CL343 Holiday Sayings, Hero Arts CL357 Holiday Dolls, Ink : Tim Holtz Broken China Distress Ink, Embellishments : MME Brads, MME Die Cut Chipboard, Prima Flowers Stick On Pearls, Ranger Stickles in Stardust

I love the Cats Life Press stamps that are on this card - you can use them in so many ways.

Happy Holidays

Papers : My Minds Eye Colourful Christmas, Cardstock : Bazzill, Punches : Fiskars Apron Lace Punch, Stamps : Catslife Press Happy Holidays , Ink : Tim Holtz Broken China Distress Ink, Embellishments : MME Die Cut Chipboard, Prima Pearls

This is the last one! Promise!

Three Trees

Papers : My Minds Eye Colourful Christmas, Cardstock : Bazzill, Punches : Fiskars Apron Lace Punch, Stamps : Hero Arts CL357 Holiday Dolls, Colouring : Pencils, Embellishments : Prima Stick on Gems, Ranger Stickles in Stardust, MME Die Cut Embellishment, Spotty Organza Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by :-) Kx

Bit Chilly!

I'm on a Christmas roll! Had coloured this gorgeous Penny Black image of a snowman a couple of weeks ago, just hadn't got him into his Christmas finery! So, I was determined to have sometime this evening to get him ready for the festive season.

He is coloured with Prismacolor pencils, using Sansodor. The colours worked really well with the beautiful MME Frost Signature Collection (2008) that I had left from last year. Have not got to breaking out the new papers yet - think that might be next year! Lol!

Here's the recipe:
Card: Not Quite Navy & Kraft Cardstock - Stampin Up!
Papers: Frost Signature Collection (2008) - MME
Stamping: Snowy - Penny Black, Sentiment - Signature Christmas - PTI
Colouring: Prismacolour Pencils & Sansodor, Inkessentials White Pen - Ranger, Distress Ink - Antique Linen - Ranger
Cutting: Oval & Scalloped Oval Punch - Stampin Up!, Snow Flurry Border Punch - Martha Stewart, Labels 8 Nestabilities - Spellbinders
Embellies: Kraft Taffeta Ribbon - Stampin Up!, Prisma Glitter - Hero Arts, Pearl Glimmer Mists - Tattered Angels

Just Magnolia Week 27 Challenge - Bright & Zingy!

Here is my entry for the Just Magnolia Week 27 - Bright and Zingy. This is my first ever challenge entry - I've made them before, just never got them entered! Hopeless! Never mind, i've got one done now! Lol!

Here is the recipe. I really enjoyed making this - loved playing with these colours. The orange flowers were white, and have been sprayed with Glimmer Mists in Dreamsicle - a really pretty sparkly colour.

Card : Stampin Up! Night of Navy

Papers: My Minds Eye Magnolia Collection

Cutting: Fiskars Apron Lace Punch, EK Success Flourish Punch, Martha Stewart Frond Punch, Stampin Up! Word Window Punch

Stamping: Magnolia Tilda with Bike, Papertrey Ink Everyday Button Bits (Sentiment)

Embellies: Adirondack Denim Dimensional Pearls, Spacers, Prima & Craft Fairy Flowers, Adhesive Gems, Wired Gems, Ranger Inkessentials White Pen, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists - Dreamsicle

10 Weeks to Christmas!

Crikey! Where is the time going! Thought I'd best make a start today - went for a lovely shopping session on Saturday with friends, spent the day putting all my new things away yesterday, and so I had to get my act together today, as I have had a day off from work - which was lovely.

So, here is the first of my Christmas offerings - no main image for me - just shapes and text. Wanted to keep things as clean as I could. The papers are MME, and the shape stamp and sentiment are both from last month's releases from Papertrey Ink.

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip - Stampin Up!

Papers: My Minds Eye Festive Signature Christmas Papers

Stamps: Signature Christmas, Vintage Labels (Papertrey Ink)

Cutting: EK Success Slim Edger Punch - Dotted Scallop, Martha Stewart Arctic Snowflake Punch

Embellies: American Crafts Small Clear Brads, Cotton Lace in Cream, Ranger Stickles in Platinum

World Cardmaking Day - ish!

Happy World Cardmaking Day! For yesterday! Lol! Saturday conspired against me yesterday, in the form of housework (I know!), puppies, flu jabs and Strictly Come Dancing!

So, am making up for this today! Have been having a play with new things bought from Harrogate - which have only just made it out of the wrapper - and also doing my bit for the environment by using some papers that I have had for a while - but thought that the colours were just right today!

I love this Magnolia image - her boots and dungarees are just  so cute, and they are all such fun to colour. She was coloured with Copics to try and match the vibrant colour of the paper.  

Card: Stampin Up! Basic Grey, Craftwork Cards Back to Basics card blank

Paper: Bo Bunny 'Organic Marigold'

Stamps: Magnolia Tilda 'Loves Me, Loves Me Not', Sentiment - Papertrey Ink

Colouring: Copic Markers

Cutting: Nestabilites Labels Nine, Martha Stewart Frond Punch

Embellies: Stick on pearls, gold flower spacers, orange brads, yellow grosgrain ribbon.

Heartbroken....

A very short post this morning. Dottie Doris, our wonderfully perfect old lady lost her three month battle with pneumonia last night, aged 11 1/2 years.

We are heartbroken.

A Bit fuzzy 'round the edges..

Hello! I've managed to get my act together sort of, and have made this card for a friend who isn't very well at the mo. Just managed get it into the postbox. That seems to be the bit I have the most difficulty with!

I've used a stamp that I bought a while ago, and just hadn't inked up at all. Apologies for the photograph - got a bit of a headache, and what looks in focus for me, looks a bit fuzzy around the edges for everyone else! Thats my excuse - I'm sticking to it!

Card : Craftwork Cards Back to basics Cream cardstock, Stampin Up! Whisper White Cardstock

Papers :  K&Co Wild Raspberry

Stamps : Buzzcraft Fairy Doodles Set 346

Cutting : Stampin Up! Oval and Scalloped Oval Punches, Spellbinders Nestabilites Labels 5

Colouring : Copic Markers, Copic Spica Glitter Clear Pen

Embellies : K&Co Layered Accents Butterflies, Stick on Pearls (blue coloured with Copic Markers), Craftwork Cards special mini messages,  Prima & Craft Fairy flowers, Papermania brad, Gold flower spacer

Stash!!!!

Went to Harrogate yesterday to the Great North Eastern Papercrafts Extravaganza (GNEPE) at the Harrogate showground yesterday - it was heaven! Mad, but shopping heaven! Did go a bit wild in the aisles!! Had to wait for this evening to put it all away......! Got a few punches, stamps, papers, nesties, etc.

Apologies for the horrific photo..... taken with my camera phone and my hand was shaking with excitement!!! Lol!

Stop Press.......!

Silly Billy has just lost the last of his baby teeth ! My sofa is safe! Yay!!!!!

DT K & Co Pack from The Stamp Attic

Mr Postman has delivered these, so now I can post them on the blog! These are what I spent my time playing with over the weekend! Wendy (The Stamp Attic) asked me to use a pack of paper and embellishments from K & Co, and I loved working with these - the colours are so zingy, and the embellishments worked really well on the cards.

Cardstock : Bazzill Bling - Light Blue

Papers : K & Co Kimberley Hodge Collection
Cutting : Fiskars Threading Water Border Punch

Stamps : Woodware Clear FRCL114 Ted Remembers

Colouring : Pencil Crayons

Embellies : Towering Alphabet Grand Adhesions and trim (Kimberley Hodge Pack), stick on white pearls

The following card is Wendy's favourite - the cupcakes are really quite cute!

Papers : Kimberley Hodge Pack
Cutting : Spellbinders Classic Oval Nestabilities, Fiskars Effervescence Border Punch
Stamps : Hero Arts CL1158 Cupcakes
Colouring : Adirondack Lemonade Dye Ink
Embellies : Stick on Hero Arts Fuschia Gems, Stick on Pearls, Kimberley Hodge Rub on Transfers, translucent glitter.

I love the colours on this card - they have gone together really well. It is so fresh and clean. The sentiment comes from the same pack, and so it looks really co-ordinated - unlike me most of the time!! Lol!

Card :  Bazzill cardstock

Papers : Kimberley Hodge K & Co collection

Cutting : Spellbinders Nestabilities Blossom, Fiskars Apron Lace Border Punch

Stamps : Hero Arts Heart Winged Butterfly F5158

Embellies : Adirondack Dimensional Pearls - Denim, Kimberley Hodge rub-ons, Kimberley Hodge sentiment, translucent glitter

Finally, this is my favourite card out of the bunch! I was so pleased the way this card turned out - I had played with paper piecing before, and it never quite looked right - but this really came together. The prints on the paper really complemented the folksy style of the stamps, and the sentiment pulled it all together.

Card : Bazzill cardstock in turquoise

Paper : Kimberley Hodge K & Co Collection

Stamps : Hero Arts Clear CL289 Russian Dolls

Cutting : Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels One, Fiskars Effervescence Border Punch

Embellies : Inkessentials White Pen for detailing, stick on white pearls.

Time to play...

Hello again! Have managed to get time to myself to play! Yay! My lovely DH looked after our 22 week old puppy all day, so that I could spend time in my little world of ink and paper. Here is Silly Billy - this picture was taken this morning. As you can see, he's becoming less of a puppy, and more of a little man!

So, what have spent all day doing? Well, I've been playing with a really zingy coloured kit that Wendy (The Stamp Attic) sent me! The samples are all done - but I can't share my favourites until they are in the hands of Wendy, so I've decided to share one today which I made from my last kit. On this one I went a bit mad with all the elements - Wendy had sent me K&Co's Cut & Paste papers, and they were so lovely to work with, as there were so many colours and styles to match with.

I will post pictures of my favourite samples from the most recent kit as soon as Mr Postman has delivered them! Apologies for the terrible photography - this was taken in the late hours of the evening! Card: Linen White Cardstock

Cardstock: K&Co Cut and Paste, Bazzill Bling

Cutting: Fiskars Threading Water Border Punch, Nestabilities Classic and Scalloped Ovals

Stamps: Woodware JGCL507 Ice Cream Parfait

Colouring: Watercolour Pencils

Embellies: Inkessentials Glossy Accents, Pastel Pink Liquid Pearls (Ranger), White Organza Ribbon.

First Challenge Card.......but not quite!!

This is my first ever effort at a Just Magnolia challenge card, and I completed it well before time - but then I realised as it was a wedding card for this weekend, I couldn't really post it! Shame, but I love it all the same - hope the happy couple did too!Here are the details - took the layout from the Week 19 Rach's Sketch Challenge at Just Magnolia.

Card : Stampin Up! Basic Grey, Craftwork Cards Back to Basic Card Blanks

Papers : Cosmo Cricket Everafter Paper Collection

Cutting : Martha Stewart Doily Lace Punch

Stamps : Autumn Leaves - Ticketed by Katie Pertiet, Magnolia Three Hearts

Colouring : Prismacolor Pencils - 942 Yellow Ochre, 1070 French Gray 30% & 20%, 1021 Jade Green, 1083 Putty Beige

Embellies : Nunn Design Pin, Stampin Up! Linen Thread, Prima Flowers, Craft Fairy Flowers, Nunn Design Metal Flower and brad, hotfix cream pearls.

The Craft Hovel!!!

Well, Bev has beaten me! I said that we should post pics of the places where we create, and said by 12pm today. It's now 12.47 GMT ! I do have an excuse - and a letter from me Mam explaining why I'm late! I have a broken washing machine! Lol! Honest!!

Right - on with the tour of the my little place. Firstly, here is the view as you come through the door. On the right hand side of the room is the main storage - you can see the inkpad racks and ribbon racks from Inkylicious. They have freed up so much room - I can buy more now! My desk is right under the window, for natural light - but I do live ooooop norf, so thats a bit of a challenge when it's raining! Lol! Under the ribbon rack are my Copic markers in boxes - need nice storage for those - but have not finished collecting yet! (Ssssh! Dont tell DH!) The pully out drawers on wheels hide quite a few collections including my glimmer mist obsession! On the left hand side of the room is my nesties, paper storage - again from Inkylicious.This has provided hours of fun sorting it into make and collections!

Here is a more detailed close up of all on my desk, including a lovely hangy shelf thing I got at TK Maxx for £4! Bonus!!

Finally, here is the rear of the little room - Card blanks are in the purple box under my wheely tote - a lifesaver when I trundle off to crafty club! I think you can see from the decoration / pics that I love Paris (in the springtime, winter, whenever!)
Here is a different view of the back of the room from the hallway - you can see my stamps in 12x12 boxes stacked in the corner - clear stamps are in the Parisian boxes on the shelf units, so the very rare sunlight can't get at them! Mounted single stamps like Magnolia / Sugar Nellie stamps are hiding behind the 'Create' letters on top of the shelves. The drawers hide tools and random inks that i've collected on my travels. There is also a tub for my small paper pads.

Well, after all that I'd best get ready for my washer being fixed! Hope you enjoyed the look ;-).

Goodbye Again...

Hello! Well, after a bit of sorting, and washing, and dog walking, I finally got time to come upstairs to play! Today I had to make a card for a colleague who is leaving - again onto bigger and better things! I've also been making a couple of DT samples - but can't show them yet until they are in Wendy's hands :-)

So I reached for my trusty Gorjuss Girls, and some Black Market Paper Society Papers - these have been in my posession for a while now, but have never cut into them! **hangs head in shame**!! Full details are below.

Short and sweet post today - thanks for visiting!!

Card: Craftwork Cards Back to Basics card blank, Bazzill Bling Cardstock

Papers: Black Market Paper Society 'Letters from Paradise' papers - Guana Bay

Stamps: Sugar Nellie Gorjuss Girl - Bumble Bee

Colouring: Copic Markers, Copic Atyou Spica Glitter pens in black and clear

Cutting: Martha Stewart Valentine Lace Border Punch, Stampin Up! Scallop Oval, Classic Oval Punch

Embellies: Craftwork Cards sentiment, spacers, Prima flowers, Craft Fairy flowers, Dovecraft brads, Dressmakers' pins

First Ever PTI Card!

Hello Again! Have been away sorting out my craft hovel - have bought some fantastic shelves from Inkylicious, who are based in Batley, West Yorks. Now I've got the not too small a task of putting sticky colour labels on all the pads! Will keep me quiet for a while! They also do ribbon and paper racks, both of which are really excellent!

My friend Bev recently ordered from Papertrey Ink, and for the first time I decided to join in and order some of their lovely stamps. Below is the first card that I have made with their stamps, and I am really pleased with the results! The inspiration for the card came from a Homes and Gardens magazine I was reading whilst in Starbucks! I wanted a kind of Toile de Jouy effect - don't know if it is quite that - but it'll do for me!

Full recipe is below. this card is a card of 'news' - first card made at my new desk, with new stamps, from a new company, using new colours and new techniques! I think I'll have to go and have a lay down!
Card : Stampin Up! Night of Navy, Whisper White, Craftwork Cards Back to Basics Card Blank

Colouring : Stampin Up! Night of Navy

Stamps : Papertrey Ink 'In Bloom'

Cutting : Martha Stewart Embossed Scallop Edger Punch

Embellies : Grosgrain Ribbon from stash, Small Light Sapphire Crystals

Here's one I made earlier!

Happy Tuesday! Been a lovely day today - went for a coffee with Bev and she gave me my lovely birthday card . Thanks so much Bev - it is such a pretty card. One thing I forgot to tell Bev was how much I love tulips - they are my favourite flower - so it made my card extra lovely!

Well, it's time for a tidy up (I say that every time!)! Have come upstairs to my craft hovel - and been diverted by the blog! So, I thought I'd post a card that I made a little while ago. The colours were well out of my comfort zone - but I was really pleased with the results

This card was made with papers (My Minds Eye) which were outside of my colour comfort zone, but I thought they were fab! I bought the papers from Le Temple Du Scrap, a really great shop in Paris - if you ever get the chance you must really pay this shop a visit. Seriously though - save up first!! :-)

Card : Craftwork Cards Back to Basics Card Blank

Paper : My Minds Eye Penny Lane 'Hattie Marie' Double Sided Papers

Stamps : Sugar Nellie Gorjuss Girl - Set 2 - Untamed

Colouring : Copic Markers

Cutting : Nestabilities Blossom, EK Success Large Swirl Flourish Punch

Embellies : Stickles Glue in Crystal, Papermania Glitter Dots, Craftwork Cards Mini Messages, Stampin Up! Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon

Last, but not least....

Well, this is the last of my fur family! This is 'Silly Billy' our lovely 16 week old bundle of fun!

Dottie Doris and Welly Boots are slowly coming to terms with the fact that he is staying, and just loves it when he bounces on them and pulls their ears! Not!

This little man loves his walks, his squeaky duck, his biscuits, his squeaky duck, puppy parties and his squeaky duck. Did I say he loves his squeaky duck - especially at 6am!!

And still counting.....

Different day, different card! This is the card I have just given my Mum and Dad for their anniversary - can post it now as the day is nearly over!

Thanks so much to the amazing Bev for the inspiration to use spacers with brads for the flowers - makes them look so pretty!

Card : Craftwork Cards Back to Basics Card Blank
Papers : Basic Grey Bittersweet
Stamps : Penny Black T for Transparent Critter Party, Hero Arts CL342 Everyday Sayings
Colouring : Copic Markers, Sakura Glaze Pen (for his cute nose!)
Cutting : Nestabilities, Small Classic and Scalloped Ovals, EK Success Medium Retro Flower Punch, McGill Word Window Punch
Embellies : Prima Flowers, Spacers, Papermania Sparkly Brads, Craft Fairy Flowers

I am a princess...

Ok, so I have posted a card, so here is the next canine love of my life. Let me introduce you to 'Welly Boots' - this is not her proper Sunday name, but it is what you have to wear anywhere near her, as this lovely is a mud magnet!

She enjoys long runs by the sea and bouncing through the woods - although it plays havoc with her 'do.

She would like me to make the point in public that all chews, toys and comfy spots anywhere in the house, or wherever she decides to take up residence are hers, and will sulk dreadfully if one or more of the above is removed from her! We have been warned!

She loves being adored, food (at any time of the day), the first stroke in the morning and fresh water after a long walk.

Follow your dreams....

Today is a sad but good day, as a friend that I have worked with for quite a while is leaving, to set up her own business - she is truly following her dreams.

Here is the card that I have made for her. I hope you can see the lovely sparkle on the card - we were blessed temporarily with a bit of sunshine this morning!!

Card : Stampin Up! Basic Grey Cardstock, Craftwork Cards Back to Basics Card Blanks

Papers : K & Co Amy Butler Faded China Designer Paper Pad

Stamps : Sugar Nellie Gorjuss Girls Set 3 - Party Princess

Colouring : Copic Markers, Clear & Gold Copic Spica Marker

Cutting : Spellbinders Polka Dots Frameabilities, Stampin Up! Oval & Scallop Oval Punches

Embellies : Papermania dark grey pearls, Craftwork Cards Mini Oval Messages

Tools : Crop-o-dile, distressing tool

The Stamp Attic - DT submission

Well, as I've said above this blog is also about the cards I create in my craft hovel! I create cards for my friends and family, and I'm also really proud to say I'm a member of the Design Team for The Stamp Attic (Wendy - Thank You!!)

The Stamp Attic has a blog where work from all Wendy's Design Team is featured - I can't believe my name is up there - alongside some fabulous artists - go have a look :-)

Here is one of my most recent submissions. You can find full details on the TSA blog, detailing the products I've used - and a better picture! Lol ! (Mental note to self - get photos sorted!!!!) The main products I've used as you can see are K&Co Cut n Paste papers, Labels Two nesties, Hero Arts 'Whats Cooking?' clear stamps, and a bit of Fiskars Apron Lace border punching too!

Ahem. Hello :-)

Well. So this is what the deep end feels like? Have been playing in the shallow end for quite a while, and thought that today would be the day that I jump in!

This is the place where I'll post cards that I make, and pictures of my dogs for posterity - my two loves! Apart from DH of course! Lol!

So, here is the first! May I introduce you to Dottie Doris! This is not her proper name, I am preserving her anonimity so she does not get too big headed, as she does like meeting the public, but it could be a bit of a problem if she gets papp'd everytime we go out for a walk!

As her nickname suggests, she loves finding fairies in the garden, rub downs with a towel after a walk in the rain, and her comfy bed.