Follow your dreams...

Hello all - I hope that your week has been going well?  I've had a mixed week really - it's been lovely having our daughter home for a few days, so plenty of girly chat, lunch out, etc.  But I've also had a rather poorly Grumpy Poppy the Cat to deal with.  She was diagnosed with kidney disease over 2 years ago, and has stayed pretty stable on medication. But she seems to have suffered something of a rapid downturn this week, hasn't been eating or drinking and has had a couple of visits to the vet. I'm not sure how much more they can do, but she may well pick up a bit again. I just wish I could get some food into her - but she's always been a stubborn madam!  Thankfully she doesn't seem to be in any pain, and I'm hoping that she'll improve a bit. We've to take her back to the vets again shortly - at the moment she's laid out in some sunshine in the garden so I'll have to sneak up on her with the cat basket and prepare to do battle!

Sadly my daughter has headed back down south on the train, so as a consolation I've been playing with my craft stuff and got a new card to share

I've used a gorgeous digi stamp from Mo Manning, coloured with copics

The backing papers and sentiment stamp are from LOTV, with some added stitching. I've also added a Memory Box tree die cut and the Doo Hickey fence die cut. 

I quite like the soft colours on this - but it's hard to go wrong with the cute images. 

The card will be going on sale in my Etsy shop.

I'm hoping for some 'blog time' over the weekend to catch up with what everyone is up to.

You may also have noticed the link on the sidebar - I've joined the world of Twitter (assisted by my daughter lol!) and I'd love to know if any of you are also on twitter. Please let me know and I can 'follow' you! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

Autumn Showers

Good morning all and hope that your week has been going well? I can't believe it's Thursday already, I seem to have been busy and rushing round all week so far - but not quite sure what I've achieved...! I seem to have been doing a lot of ferrying about (Kim's Cabs!) and catering (Kim's Cafe open 24/7) and clearing up ready for decorating (Kim'sCleaningServices!) - all in between going to work of the paid variety! Talk about multi-tasking! So sorry if I've been behind on the commenting but will try to get around to everyone over the next day or so. And a big hello to my new followers - it's lovely of you to join me!

Anyway, on to today's card!

When I saw this little girl, all ready for the rain, in Mo's Digis I couldn't resist. I just thought she looked so sweet. That's the right attitude towards the wet weather - just get your raincoat and wellies on and go and jump in a few puddles! 

I've coloured her with promarkers and spectrum noir pens, and the cloudy sky was done with chalks. 

The backing papers are from First Edition 'Summer Breeze'. I've added some flowers made with a Marianne die, with pearl centres and a border made with Tonic border punch. The sentiments are from my invaluable (and very well used!) Whimsy ticket stamps with ticket die. 

Hope you like it! 

Back tomorrow with some new challenges from CraftyCatz and Totally Papercrafts

Kim x 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:-

Divas By Design - orange

InkyImpressions - fall or halloween

A&T Emerald Fairies Challenge - anything goes

Jacksons Digital Expressions - brown/teal/orange

CraftyBloggersNetwork - anything goes

DigiMakeoverChallenge - weather

Boo!

Good morning all! How did Monday arrive again so quickly? Who pressed the 'fast forward' button last Friday? Thanks for all your comments yesterday, and yes, thankfully the DIY passed with minimum bloodshed. We were still talking to one another by teatime which is an achievement. And thankfully daughter was very pleased with her new desk and chair - just hope it gets well used for doing work now!
Well, after me confessing on Friday that I'd never made a Halloween project before the hanger I made for CraftyCatz, I've now made another Halloween one!  And apologies before we go any further that the photos are definitely on the 'dodgy' side today - not sure whether to blame the camera, the very dull light or the photographer (honesty compels me to say it's probably the photographer...).

This is another digi stamp from Mos Digital pencil - Kitty Kai - and doesn't he look great in his cat costume! 

I've coloured the image with promarkers. I'm trying to use some stronger colours as I always tend to reach for pastel shades first. And this was the first time I've used my black promarker! 

The backing paper is from K&Co. I'm saving for the fishtail dies that I've had my eye on, but in the meantime I made the 'flags' by using a MS punch then cutting them into strips, but it seems to work ok. I've added buttons and ribbon from stash. The lettering is Sizzix rub-ons on black card. 

I made this one into an easel card. 

So quite a basic and simple design from me today - but hope that you like this cute little character! 

Right, the Monday morning housework is calling :(

Back soon, Kim x 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:-

Come and get it challenges - halloween

Dream Valley Challenges - halloween

2Sisters challenges - cute and creepy

Just some lines challenges - too cute to spook

ATCs and Cards with attitude - halloween

CardCraftersCircle - halloween

StampinfortheWeekend - something spooky

Not too scary!

Good morning - Friday again already! Where did that week go then? The days seem to pass so quickly at the moment. I'm busy trying to get some cards made as I'm planning decorating during half term in another week. I don't mind the decorating bit, it's just the clearing everything out and preparing the room that's the 'yuck' bit! But our lounge is desperately in need of doing and I'm determined that it should be done before Christmas - so I'll just have to grit my teeth and get on with it!

Anyway, on to today! It's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz - and this week our lovely Dianne has chosen 'Halloween'!  Now, I have a confession to make. I've never made a halloween card or creation before. It's not really something that I'm excited about - and spend most of my time on 31st October stopping Tilly the Dog getting too excited by all the kiddies coming to the door and also stopping my own 'little darlings' from eating the sweets I have in a bowl for the trick & treaters!  So this was a new venture for me - but I surprised myself and actually enjoyed making it!

When I saw this cute 'Bat Cat' image from Mo's Digital Pencil I couldn't resist! We do sing the 'Batman' theme to our cat (but change the words to 'Fat Cat' as she is rather a podge!).

I've coloured the image with promarkers. The backing paper was made using the Big'n'Juicy 'Spice' inkpad and then drawing on some cobwebs. I then added some netting (shaded with the inkpad). The sentiment was printed on the computer (with a little clip art!) and then shaded, and added a couple of Poppystamps 'meadow leaf' die cuts. I then added lots of purple & black and a little sparkle with the ribbons and buttons from stash. 

So I hope you like my first Halloween creation! So do pop over to CraftyCatz with your spooky offerings and join us!  We're sponsored this week by 

Back soon, 

Kim x 

I'm entering this Halloween Hanger in the following challenges:-

Mo's Digital Challenge - Autumn Fun

Victorine Originals - Halloween

Crafting for all seasons - spooky

Decorate to celebrate - halloween party

Divas by Design - spooky

Papercraft Star - pumpkin

Papertake Weekly - Boo

Eureka Stamps - halloween

Forever Friends - halloween

Christmas Morning!

No it's not really Christmas morning! Although it really isn't that far off as a friend who just popped in pointed out that it's 11 weeks off. Oh dear. Every year I promise myself that I'll be all organised for next Christmas, buy presents well in advance, make cards well in advance, etc, etc..... And every year it always ends up all being done in the last couple of weeks! But then again, I love Christmas and do enjoy all the build up in the last week or so, and it would probably take something of the magic away for me if I was all prepared months ahead!

Anyway, on to today's card, with two of my favourite cutie characters, Bella and Bronte from Mos Digital pencil

And when I saw this digi stamp I had to smile! This definitely has something of our house on Christmas morning!  As I mentioned in a post a while ago, there's often some grumbling and muttering about Tilly the Dog having a bigger stocking than everyone else, and she definitely loves getting pressies!  So this cute pair just looked so great!

I've coloured the image with promarkers and pencils.  The papers were freebies with a craft magazine!  And the sentiment is from LOTV.  The ribbon is from my stash and I actually coloured the gems with promarkers to match - but unfortunately it doesn't really seem to show on the photo! 

So a fairly simple card from me today. 

Hope you like it!

Back soon, Kim x 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:-

Anything goes challenges - animals

CraftySentiments - anything goes

Deep Ocean Challenge - anything goes

TuesdayAlchemy - anything goes

Mos Digital Challenge - anything goes

Lavender Lace

Good morning - yes I'm back again!  As it's Friday it's also time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz - and it's our lovely Sassy who has picked this week's challenge which is 'Lace & Bows'.  So that was a bit of a challenge for me - NOT! As a self-confessed ribbon & lace addict, I was pretty sure I could find something to use....

The DT have made some fabulous creations for inspiration so do pop over to the CraftyCatz challenge blog and have a look - and then join in!

My contribution for this one is

I've used this sweet image of Bella and Bronte from Mos Digital Pencil - aren't they so sweet! 

I've coloured the image with promarkers and pencils. The backing papers are from LOTV Nitwit pads, with some stitching around all the edges. I've added some purple ribbon and lace from my stash and some sheer ribbon from Joanna Sheen. I've added a Marianne die cut swirl and some gem 'flowers' from my stash. The pin is a self-made one using some beads from my never-ending box of 'bits and bobs'! 

And as I couldn't think what sentiment to add, it hasn't got one on - yet! 

I hope that you like it.

Back soon, Kim x 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges :-

MosDigitalChallenge - ribbons & bows

CraftyCardmakers - lace & stitching

Inky Impressions - animals

Whimsy Inspirations - anything goes

Creative Card Crew - purple

Crafty Bloggers Network - purple

Let's go fly a kite

Yes, it's me again! Because it's Friday it's also time for a new challenge over at Totally Papercrafts. We had some great entries last week and congratulations to the winner!
Our lovely Susan has chosen the challenge for this week - For a child.  So a nice easy challenge for everyone! We're sponsored this week by Meljen's Designs and the winner will receive 4 digis of their choice!
So, then the hard part! I had to decide what stamp I would use for a child. After much faffing I decided on this one!

Isn't he just the cutest? I love this little boy from Mo's Digital Pencil, he's so adorable! 

I've coloured him with promarkers, copics and pencils.

The yellow backing paper is from K&Co and the patterned green paper is from a FunkyHand cd, 'Wishes & Kisses'.  I hand-cut the bunting (note to self: must get a die to do this!) and it's 'strung' on twine. The sentiment stamp is from Whimsy, with the ticket die to match. I've distressed all the edges and then stitched for extra definition! So a fairly simple card but I was quite pleased with the overall effect. I just hope a child would like it too lol! 

So do pop over to Totally Papercrafts and have a look at the fantastic creations from the Design Team! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:-

Inky Impressions - for a child

Whimsy Inspiration - anything goes

Craft Room Challenge - childhood memories

Through the craft room door - anything goes

Stamp and Create - anything goes

What would we do without a computer...?

Good morning all and hope that your weekend is going well.  An early start for me as I was up to wave husband off as he heads to warmer climes for work for a week!  I thought it was very kind of me to get up to say goodbye at 6.00am on a Sunday morning lol! So I'm hoping that once my son has headed off to his friend's today where he's been invited (and as daughter is still on her hols!) that I can get some relaxing crafting time this afternoon. Mind you, I'll still have Tilly the Dog with me who'll then be forwarding repeated requests for walkies!

As I mentioned a few days ago, last Sunday was our son Jack's 14th birthday - so I thought I'd show you the card I made for him.  Now teenage boys aren't generally interested in pretty flowers, lacy embellishments and cute images - or at least mine isn't!  His main interests are being with his friends, sports, his xbox and his computer! And I have to say he is quite a whizz on the computer and can do things and add special effects that I wouldn't even know where to start with!  So when I saw this image from Mos Digital Pencil it seemed a pretty good start for his birthday card!

This image is called 'Paul Typing' but could just as easily be Jack when he's 'borrowed' my laptop (though why he wants a laptop when he's got a very good computer in his room beats me!). 

I've coloured the image with promarkers and pencils.  I then added black eyelets and bakers twine as a 'frame'.  The sentiment was done on the computer.  The papers are K&Co 'BlueAwning' - great papers, particularly for more 'masculine' cards and scrap layouts.  I used coredinations card for matting, lightly sanded and distressed.  I then distressed all the images and papers with 'tea dye' distress ink. As an extra 'dimension' I thought I'd make a tag with a birthday message on that fits in a pocket behind the main image, again with a black eyelet, faux stitching and seam binding ribbon. The lettering was using Sizzix rub-ons.

Hope you like it! And thank you for all the nice comments about my rather waffling posts! Apologies for yet another rather long post - but I do like to add details about what I've used as I know when I browse around at so many talented crafters' blogs that it's interesting to see what people have used - that's how we get our own ideas! 

Back soon, Kim x 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:-

Alphabet challenge - P is for Pocket Card

Fresh Brewed - distressing

Creative Craft Challenge - all about the boys

Our Craft Lounge - use twine

My heart pieces digital stamp challenge - anything goes

Whimsy Inspires - anything goes

Skater Boy!

Good morning all and hope that your week is going well? It's another lovely morning here - typical that the sun shines more now that the schools have all started back! My youngest has soon got back into routine - sort of! - although turfing him out of his pit at 7am is a bit of a challenge.  Despite his moans though, I'm sure he's enjoying being back at school. He goes to an all boys school and after being at home for such a long summer break (not to mention having 3 older sisters!), I'm sure he enjoys all the male company!

And speaking of teenage boys, that's what the theme of today's card is!  One of my son Jack's closest friends celebrated his 14th Birthday on Tuesday (and it's Jack's 14th on Sunday!).  Jack and Niall have been best friends since they started school at 4 years old, and although they now go to different senior schools they have remained best friends and spend most holidays and weekends at one another's houses.  In fact, we call Niall our 'other son'! They seem to spend a lot of their time together either on the computer, playing football or on skateboards (and building ramps, etc., down the drive! sigh!) - hence this card!

When I saw this image on Mo's digital stamps it just seemed a great idea! 

I coloured the digi with promarkers, and distressed the edges of all the papers.  As these teenage boys are definitely NOT pink & fluffy, I've kept the layout fairly simple, with just basic embellishments and a bit of a grungy look.  The backing papers are from Basic Grey and American Crafts, with some added stitching.  The sentiment stamp was a freebie with a magazine (and has proved quite useful!), stamped onto kraft card. I added a couple of brown brads, some larger pewter coloured brads and some bakers twine and decided to restrain myself from adding anything else! 

I was quite pleased with the effect - this is about as CAS as I think I can be lol!

and the inside decorated to match! 

Thanks for visiting - hope you like the 'boy' card! 

And I'll be back tomorrow with some great new challenges from CraftyCatz and Totally Papercrafts, so do pop in while you're surfing through Blogland! 

Back soon, Kim x 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:-

Creative Craft Challenges2 - all about the boys

Crafty Sentiments - male card

Our Daily Bread Designs - you leave me in stitches

Through the craft door - anything goes

Hooked on Craft - male card