Just relaxin'

Good morning all in Blogland and I do hope that your Sunday looks a bit brighter than it is here! Grey skies and rain really don't inspire much 'get up and go'!  I hope that your weekend is going well. I'm planning to head off to Manchester (about an hour's drive away) later this morning to see one of my oldest friends and meet her new granddaughter. Ooh babies! I love babies. Although having been there and done that a couple of times (and got the t-shirt smelling of regurgitated baby milk!) I really wouldn't want another one - although that would be a minor miracle at my age lol! I've got my little bag ready of goodies I've made for baby Grace - two bonnets, a cardigan and a baby blanket. I do enjoy crochet and knitting but particularly like making baby things - probably because they're quick to finish lol!

So before I escape from husband, teenagers and dog for a few hours, I thought I'd share a quick card with you today that I made with a lovely stamp from LOTV - 'Lazy Afternoon'

Now that's what I call the ideal way to pass a few hours!  Given a choice (!) I like to spend a little time with the Sunday papers at some point in the day, maybe tackle the crossword just to check if my brain is still working (not always a certainty) and possibly have a little snooze as well (a very rare occurrence, only if everyone else has cleared off for the afternoon and Tilly the Dog decides to leave me in peace). Sigh.

I've coloured this cute little chap with promarkers. The gorgeous leafy backing paper is from the LOTV Nitwit paper pads, with an embossed panel of coredinations card lightly sanded back. I've added a little ribbon, some hessian and a few buttons from my stash. The sentiment is also from LOTV. 

So a fairly simply card - but a long waffling post as usual! Sorry! 

Do enjoy the rest of your weekend. I must remember to take a pic of the baby knits before I head off - just hoping its not driving rain on the motorway as I'm definitely a wuss at driving in heavy rain!

Back soon, Kim x 

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

ATCs & Cards with Attitude - anything goes

Charisma Cardz - for the guys

I Love Promarkers - male

Patties Creations - anything goes

Crazy4challenges - leaves

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

Enjoy the ride!

Good morning all and it's Friday so time for a new challenge over at Totally Papercrafts - and this week it's ME who is the challenge host! And as I'm kind, I've picked a nice easy one for everyone - Pretty Pastels! We're being sponsored this week by

and the winner will receive 2 stamps of their choice!

So do pop over to the Totally Papercrafts challenge and have a look at the fantastic inspiration the DT have provided - as they always do!

My contribution this week is

I've used the LOTV stamp 'Ride with me' - and of course used my favourite pastel shades! 

I've coloured the image with promarkers and pencils.  The backing papers are from the LOTV Nitwit paper pads.  I've used a Tonic border punch, sheer ribbon from Joanna Sheen and flowers from WOC.  The sentiment is from LOTV. 

and a quick glimpse of the inside of the card. 

Hope you like it!  Do join us this week with your pastel colours at Totally Papercrafts!

Back soon, Kim x 

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

Crafts and Me - favourite colour (pastel pink)

Simon Says Stamp - anything goes

My time to craft - transport

Paper Shelter - anything goes

Nativity Time!

Good morning all and hope that you've managed to stay reasonably dry? After my efforts in the garden at the weekend, I now look out and it's like looking over a flood plain! The problem is that our house (&garden) lies in a 'dip' so water all runs down to us - so my little pond is now a considerably bigger pond than it was a few days ago! And all my baby frogs will be finding themselves in flower beds and looking confused! Sigh.

Can I just say a big thank you for all your supportive comments about my card for the Joanna Sheen DT challenge. I'm not too confident as the standard of the final group is incredibly high with some stunning work, but I'm just very pleased to have got through to this stage. We'll just wait and see.

On to today's card. I'm hoping this scheduled post works ok as I know blogger has been playing up a little bit lately - but I'm at work an extra day this week and this was the best way to fit a post in! I've made another Christmas card - using another LOTV stamp! This one is called 'Mary and Joseph'

Now this particular image brought back lots of happy memories of watching the children taking part in various nativity plays at playgroups and primary school - and always so sweet! We had some giggles remembering some of the performances, but one that springs to mind was Jack taking part in one at playgroup when he was 4 years old. As his birthday is September, he was always one of the oldest children taking part in these things, and proudly announced to us that he had been given a role in the Nativity play - "I'm playing the Angel Gabriel - and that means I'm in charge"! Just about sums him up really.....lol!

I coloured the image with promarkers. The papers are from First Edition and GCD. I've added Marianne die cut poinsettias and a Sizzlits snowflake die cut - and there is a lot of Stickles added to various things! The sentiment is from LOTV - love these grungy Christmas ones! And I've added a star brad and some pearls and ribbon from stash. 

Hope you like this cute little card! 

Back soon, Kim x 

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

CraftRoom Challenge - childhood memories

PartyTimeTuesdays - anything goes

Love to Create - anything goes

TheCraftyPad - inspired by a song (Mary's BoyChild !)

CraftyHazelNutsChristmasChallenge - nativity

BearlyMineChallenges - add a sentiment

In The Garden - JS Design Team

Good morning all and what a lovely way to start a new week! Blustery winds & driving rain! Sigh.
Hope that your weekend went well and that you have some nice things to look forward to this week?
Just a quick post from me today you'll be pleased to know - after the long rambling one yesterday lol!
A few weeks ago there was a DT call over on the Joanna Sheen Challenge Blog and so I thought I would give it a try. And I'm thrilled to report that I have been shortlisted to the final 12 from which 3 new DT members will be chosen. When I first started paper crafting (a fair few years ago now...) the first website I ordered from was Joanna's - and still do on a regular basis! I have collected quite a few of her cd's and love all the ribbon supplies, embellies, etc., and swear by the Elegance Satin card for stamping and colouring - works so well with promarkers, etc.

Anyway, onto the card! All the prospective DT members were sent some images & papers to work with from the JaneShasky 'heart of the garden' cd- a decoupage project! - so completely out of my comfort zone! I'm definitely more of a stamps & colours sort of girl! We could use plain cardstock & any die cuts we wished, but to keep to the JS images & papers. So this is what I came up with!

I decided to make an easel style card, as I thought it fitted the image and layout quite nicely

I used an A5 pearl card base, with coredinations card for matting and layering. I added the Memory Box 'arboscello tree' die cuts with the DooHickey 'lovely fence' which I sanded back slightly to give a 'weathered' look (and most of our garden is definitely on the 'weathered' side today lol!).  I've also added some Marianne 'ivy' die cuts and a Memory Box 'buckle' which has been coated with Glossy Accents.  The sheer ribbon is from Joanna Sheen and the small flowers are from WOC. The watering can was from my stash in amongst my cross stitching paraphenalia, but I was so pleased I found it as it just fitted in nicely! 

I only used 3 layers of the decoupage as I'm personally not too keen on the very raised images, but I did love the subtle shades on these papers. 

Sorry, bit of an overload of pics there, but I hope you like the finished product! 

All the projects from the shortlist are on the JS Challenge Blog HERE and there are some fantastic creations! There isn't a 'vote' as such, but the Design Team are looking for comments and opinions about the projects and will base their final choice on that. So I do hope that you will pop over and have a look at the creations - and if you liked my card I do hope that you'll be able to add a positive comment for me to the challenge blog! (I'd never make a politician - I feel so uncomfortable asking for votes lol!).

I know that they will have received many applications to be part of the DT and I'm delighted to have been shortlisted! So do go across and have a look at all the work. And thank you so much for all your support! It's only from the positive & supportive comments I receive on my craft creations on here that I've had the confidence to try other things - so a big thank you! 

Back soon, Kim x 

Waiting for Santa!

Good morning all and hope that your weekend is going well? Thankfully it has started quite bright & sunny here - if a bit chilly! - which is a good job as I have earmarked today as yet another 'get the garden under control' day! My husband is back from his travels and I always feel it's a good idea to dismiss memories of nice hotels, etc., with a good spell of distinctly unglamorous labouring in the garden and jobs in the house! I'm so cruel... lol!

Anyway, today's card has one of the sweet new stamps from LOTV 'Pup with stocking'. I suppose whenever we buy new stamps or images it's because they appeal to us in some way, either because they make us smile, feel they'd be particularly suitable for a certain person or occasion, or because they trigger memories. When I showed this card to my offspring I asked them what story they thought was attached - and they immediately replied 'because the dog gets a bigger Christmas stocking than everyone else'! Yes, I know that our 'children' are all taller than me and in their teens (and older!) but there would still be a mass rebellion and major sulking on Christmas morning if stockings weren't put out - and dutifully filled. However, there is usually some grumbling about the fact that Tilly the Dog has a slightly bigger stocking than anyone else! Not that she's complaining...! So when I saw this stamp it made me smile!

Just look at that expression! I suppose I really should have coloured the pup black like Tilly (perhaps next time!) but to be fair, I can't imagine Tilly sitting so patiently in front of it for long. The only time she usually sits nicely like that is if there is food involved.

I've coloured the image with promarkers and pencils. The kraft backing paper is from LOTV, the deep red poinsettia paper is from Joanna Sheen cd (and I'm trying to remember which one!) and the glistening poinsettia paper is from a gorgeous First Edition pad 'Vintage Christmas' that I bought last week. 

I've added poinsettias made with a Marianne die, and a holly leaf (hand cut!) with holly berries from my stash. The sentiment is from LOTV. 

Hope you like it! 

So apologies for another rambling post - I'm not quite sure how this blog ended up being part craft and part waffle about our slightly boring/slightly bizarre household! But thank you for all the lovely comments you leave all the same! I'm continually surprised by how many of you stick with the stories! 

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday - and I'll go and get the wellies on! 

Back soon, Kim x 

Disdigidesigns - more than one die cut/punch (poinsettias, circle)

Joanna Sheen Challenge - so sweet

Christmascardsallyearround - presents

Christmas Crafting - traditional colours

MarianneDesignDivas - stamp something

ATCs & cards with attitude - anything goes

Divas by Design - lots of layers

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

Frosty the Snowman!

Good morning - Friday already! Where did that week go? I seem to have done the usual rushing around and not getting very far! But had an enjoyable couple of hours yesterday, visiting my local craft shop, CardCraftUK and then going for some lunch with my daughter - two of my favourite things (crafting & food!). We're so lucky to have a good craft shop nearby, but the problem is I can never come out empty handed. Went in for some white card and somehow managed to emerge with two scrummy paper pads from First Edition! As if I haven't got enough paper! Sigh.
So, as it's Friday that means it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz - and guess who's hosting this week's challenge? Yep, it's ME! So do pop over and have a look at the great DT inspiration. And don't forget that there is a DT call going on at the moment - there are more details on the CraftyCatz challenge blog!
And I've picked a nice easy one this week - 'Buttons'! We just want to see at least one button on your creation - how easy is that??
So here's my 'buttons' effort

I've used an image from this week's sponsor The Stamping Boutique - this cute snowman. 

The kraft backing papers are from LOTV, with some red card for matting and red ribbon from stash. 

I've coloured the image with promarkers and added stickles and some glossy accents on the buttons. The red 'snowflake' is from Spellbinders Persian Motifs (with added stickles!) and a snowman button.  Then three buttons with twine. The sentiment stamp is from LOTV. 

Hope you like it! So do pop over to CraftyCatz, get out your buttons and join in!

Back soon, Kim x 

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

Just keep on creating - Christmas

Creative Craft Challenges - anything goes

Sassy Cheryls - die cuts

Fashionista Challenge - Christmas

Christmas Garland

Good morning all and hope that your week is going well.  Can't believe how fast the days go sometimes but I feel as if I've been busy all day every day for the last few days, but not quite sure how much I've actually got done!  My daughter is back from her holidays and I've been sat looking through her holiday pics - it was her first time abroad on holiday without us, which felt a bit odd for all of us! - but it seems that she had a great time! I've had a few short phone calls from my hubby who is working in Abu Dhabi this week - and keeps telling me that it's very hot and humid, so whenever he's outdoors (away from the air-con) he feels very sweaty!  I have pointed out that if he was at home he'd feel warm too - because I've got the fire and heating on! - and he'd also feel damp outside because it keeps throwing it down with rain! Autumn is definitely here in north west UK!

Anyway, on to today's card - and a fairly simple card today!  I bought this stamp quite a while ago from LOTV but this is the first card I've made using it (hangs head in shame....).

The stamp is 'Christmas Baubles' and is quite a traditional 'non-cute' image that would be suitable for anyone! 

I've coloured the stamp with promarkers and then added some Glossy Accents to the baubles - but with my dodgy photographic skills I can never seem to get this to show up!  I've also added little beads to the top of the baubles - if you can spot them lol! 

The backing paper is from K&Co and the sentiment stamp is from LOTV - with a bit of added stickles! The ribbon & gold thread is from stash and the 'bauble' button is from Buttons Galore. 

So a pretty simple card, but hope you like it! 

Back soon,  

Kim x 

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

CreativeCraftChallenge - anything goes

Ladybug Crafts - Christmas

TammysScrapinCorner - anything goes

If the shoe fits!

Good morning - Monday again! How come weekends go so quickly?  Just hoping that today's weather is a bit better than yesterday - it rained, then rained, then rained a bit more..... Even Tilly the Dog, who's always keen for walkies, went to the door, had a look out, sniffed a bit then trotted back to her bed and flopped there for the afternoon!
My daughter returns from her hols in Lanzarote today so I'm bracing myself for lots of stories about what she did, where she went, etc. - along with all the laundry! At least she's old enough to do her own laundry now! But if this rain carries on all week we'll have the usual problem of getting everything dry - and the house ends up looking like Wishy Washy's Laundry!
Anyway, on to today's card!  This is my second (and final) card for my spot as Guest DT for Ooh La La Crafting Challenge blog - and the challenge for this next fortnight is 'If the shoe fits'.  So I had a browse through some of the gorgeous designs on their 'Shoes in Bloom' crafting cd and came up with this

I decided to go for the dramatic red & black - always a lush combination!

I made a 'pocket' on the card and then printed the bookmark from the cd. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and I've added a Marianne swirl and heart - and coated the heart with Glossy Accents although I'm not sure if that shows up too well on the photos! 

The sheer ribbons are from Joanna Sheen. 

Hope you like it!  So do go and have a look at the great creations on the Ooh La La challenge blog & then join in! 

Back soon, Kim x 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:-
Sisterhood of Crafters - no stamps
Simply Create Too - anything goes

DT Call Reminder!

Just a quick reminder to everyone that there is a DT call over at Crafty Catz!  If you pop over and have a look at the challenge blog you will see some more details, but you can either do a creation of your own choice and then add it to the 'DT Call' post at the top of the page, or why not enter this week's challenge - using the colours brown and orange - and then just add the letters 'DT' after your name on your entry on Mr Linky!  Simples!
It's a very friendly team, with great inspiration from everybody!  The DT call will stay open until 23rd September so you've plenty of time to get busy with your crafting stash!
So do have a look at the Crafty Catz challenge blog - and join in!

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

Favourite Stamp

I'm back again - although I promise that this is a much shorter post!  As it's Friday that means time for a new challenge at Totally Papercrafts - and this week our lovely Cathy (KraftyKoolKat) has chosen the theme 'Favourite Stamp'.  We're sponsored this week by

so do pop over and join us this week!

Now, at first glance I thought "Oh, that's an easy one!" - but then when I sat down and looked at my stamps I felt quite tearful! How can I pick a favourite one? There are so many that I wanted to use!
So eventually I decided that I would use one of my earlier stamps that I do still love - and still stamps perfectly every time! -

This is Sarah Kay stamp 'First Kiss' - and they are just so cute! 

I've coloured them with promarkers and pencils

The backing papers are from K&Co and a magazine freebie!  I've used my Tonic border punch and some lovely ribbon from my stash that I've had so long that I've forgotten where it came from!  The flowers are using a Marianne die, with a swirl. And then I've added a Whimsy sentiment stamp with ticket die. 

So quite a simple card from me - but I plead guilty to getting a bit rushed with ferrying limping offspring about yesterday (see earlier post!) but I was quite pleased with the image! 

Hope you like it too!  So do have a look through your favourite stamps and join us this week at Totally Papercrafts!

Back soon, Kim x 

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

Paper Pretties - punches

Paper Shelter - punches

Papertake Weekly - things that make you go awww!

Use it Tuesday - anything goes (use hoarded supplies, K&Co paper & ribbon)

Brown & Orange

Right, I should probably issue a warning at the beginning of this post that you should get yourself and drink and sit comfortably.....

I have officially failed as a mother - again!  My darling son has been complaining for a couple of weeks about having a painful foot and in my best 'Graduate of the School of Caring Motherhood' said "You've probably just knocked it - it'll be fine"!  Eventually, on Wednesday night after he returned from football practice complaining yet again and limping I took a closer look (I usually avoid feet at all costs - particularly those belonging to teenage boys) and realised that there was actually a hard lump on the bridge of his foot.  Oops. So it was off to the doctor's yesterday morning (yes, I actually got an appointment on the same day - a minor miracle methinks).  She examined it too (although I'm sure I saw her flinch a bit too when faced with boy-feet - she has a 15 year old son so know's to brace herself).  Her diagnosis was that it was a ganglion (yes, I had to look it up too) - a type of hardened cyst. So then it was off to the local hospital for an xray and appointment made to see an orthopaedic surgeon in a week or so. She thinks he'll probably have to have it surgically removed via a minor op - and trust me, I'm sure he'll milk it for all it's worth!  This ganglion is going to cost me big time! I'm sure he's taken great delight in telling all and sundry about his forthcoming 'op' (and embellished it a bit for good measure).  His sister even texted me from Lanzarote to ask what was wrong and was he ok as he had already changed his status on his Blackberry! Sigh.

So, amid my motherhood failings, I'd better get on with today's card! As it's Friday it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz - and a great one for this time of year chosen by our lovely Aunty Sue - use the colours 'Brown & Orange'!  We are sponsored this week by

and I've used one of their gorgeous digi stamps for my card. And please remember that we are having a DT call over at CraftyCatz - have a look at the challenge blog for details - and why not combine your 'brown & orange' creation with a DT entry?  It'd be great to have you on our very friendly team!

Doesn't she look like she's having fun?  I've coloured the image with promarkers and pencils

The backing papers are from K&Co that I have had in my stash for so long! The sheer ribbon is from Joanna Sheen. And I had a chance to go mad with my recently acquired Spellbinders 'Fall Foliage' die set!  I know I've probably got a bit carried away with all the leaves - but they're just so pretty! 

I think it all gives the card a real 'autumn' feel!  Hope you like it!

So apologies for the rather long waffling post - although that's nothing new! And a very warm welcome to my new followers - it's wonderful to have you join me on my crafting journey - and I hope that you'll be able to cope with the all the waffling too! 

Back soon, Kim x 

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

creative belli - autumn

bearly mine - anything goes

crafty sentiments - leaves 

try it on tuesday -anything goes

Lighthouse

Hello all and hope that your week is going well?  A reasonably quick post from me today ("Thank goodness for that" I hear the cry!).  I've got a demanding dog waiting for a walk - but I've a feeling that I may need to wrap up a bit warmer as it definitely feels as though autumn has arrived!  I've had one of those frustrating days today phoning companies, waiting to be called back, waiting for deliveries (which the incredibly silly delivery driver tried to deliver next door - and they were out! - when the address was clearly written on the parcel and our house number is clearly displayed - ggrrr!).  And then finding when the parcel is delivered that it's not what you ordered - ggrrr!  Kim - breathe!  I did explain to the company on the phone that they should speak to my son and explain why they'd sent the wrong skateboard wheels - let them deal with a grumpy 14 year old!  Sigh.

Sorry to have a moan!  So, to today's card!  I made this for my brother-in-law for his recent birthday.  He's definitely not the pink and fluffy sort, and so I thought this one might fit the bill

I love the simplicity of this Lindsay Mason stamp, such a tranquil image - and I definitely need a touch of tranquility today lol! 

I've coloured the stamp with promarkers and then used chalks to soften the colouring and create the sky effect.  I must treat myself to some pan pastels and have a go with them at doing skies as I've seen some fantastic effects with them on people's blogs! 

I've lightly sanded some coredinations card, used a freebie sentiment stamp and some bakers twine and some buttons from stash. 

This is about as 'clean and simple' as my cards get! 

Hope you like it!   Back soon, Kim x 

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

Creative Craft Challenges - all about the boys

Sweet Stamps - for the guys

Challenges 4 Everybody - anything goes

Lots of Sparkle!

Hi, it's me back again!  Well, I think I've got the house back to some sort of normality (well, as normal as our house ever is!) after the busy weekend. Thank you for all your wishes - and, yes, my son Jack did have a good 14th birthday, is happily speeding around on his new skateboard and wearing his new clothes!  And much to his delight he's also got some cash stashed to spend on other goodies!  And my daughter and her boyfriend set off on their hols, and I had a text late last night to say they'd arrived at the hotel and it was great! So fingers crossed that they still feel the same way by this time next week when they're back! It should definitely be warmer and sunnier there than here - it feels like autumn is on it's way!

So, to today's card - and there's been a major breakthrough in the Kim World of Cardmaking!  I've actually managed to make a Christmas card that isn't red and green!  Woo hoo!  The kick in the right direction I needed came from the Lilis Little Fairies challenge this week which is 'Black Magic' - to use some black on your card. And as I wanted to use one of my new Christmas stamps from LOTV, decided that a touch of black would look so much better with silvers, whites and blues!

This gorgeous little stamp is called 'Christmas Star' and she is just so cute!  I've coloured her with promarkers and pencils - and added plenty of stickles and glitter of course! 

I've used black card and silver mirri card and the snowflake paper is from GCD Studios 'SnowDay'. It has a really lovely sheen to it, which because of my distinctly dodgy camera work doesn't really show! 

I've added some stitching, some white ribbon from stash and a lovely little tree charm from Cart-Us and some white lace from stash. The sentiment stamp is from the great LOTV Grungy Messages (with more added stickles lol!)

The lovely little poinsettias were made with a Marianne die (and yet more stickles....), with a Marianne die swirl in black.

I'm so pleased I managed to produce a non-red/green Christmas Card! 

Hope you like it too! 

I'll be back soon, Kim x 

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

Lilis Little Fairies - Black Magic

Christmas Card Challenge - stars

No Matter Which Challenge - die cuts/punches

Penny Black & More - early Christmas makes

DT Call over at CraftyCatz!

Good afternoon all and hope that your Monday is going well!  Just a quick posting here with news of a DT Call over at CraftyCatz.  I joined their DT a few months ago (my first design team 'job'!) and it's been great fun.  But it's now time to add a few more to our team, so here's what my teamie Carol has to say:

DT CALL

Good Morning bloggers

Do you wish you were part of a Friendly Happy Design Team, Have you ever thought of  applying for a DT then thought  Mmmm  no chance, well go for it ladies and gents.

We are planning to increase our team now and again after Christmas as there is going to be a few different things going on in the New Year

BUT

There is a few things we would want back

1. Able to commit to a card every week (please don't over commit yourself  take on board what you already have to do)

2. Spend extra time during the week  hopping from blog to blog leaving comments (You will be allocated set No's)

3. Able to use digi images (Some of our sponsor will supply digi images to use)

4. Write up a chosen  challenge and schedule it ready for the weekly post on Crafty Catz (Everyone takes their turn)

5. Have fun and make new cyper friends along the way!

Now we would like you to do a special card just for us using the sketch below, 

when you have made your card do a post showing your creation on your blog telling peeps about the DT call  and then come and leave us a comment on this post so we can pop round to your blog for a quick sneak peak.

The DT call will close 10 days time Wed 19th Sept at 10p.m..  

then we can chose our new teamies by the weekend 22/23rd Sept 

Lucking forward to seeing your DT creations

x Carol x

Faith, Hope and Love

Good morning all! Just a quickie post from me today - the sun is shining and we have a busy day today in our (very full!) household!  It's our son's 14th birthday today - and he's just emerging from his pit! I can't believe my 'baby' is now 14! Where does the time go? It only seems last month he was a little toddler and now he towers over me! His friend stayed over last night as a few of us went out for a 'birthday tea'! So I think I'll be required in the kitchen soon to provide bacon butties, toast, etc!  And our daughter & her boyfriend are heading off to Lanzarote today for a week's holiday - so dad is on taxi duty to the airport in a couple of hours! Then I'll be hurrying the boys along to get ready for a football match this afternoon! Oh joy!

So, today's card was made using a gorgeous digi stamp from Bugaboo - I just loved the wording and image on this!

I've coloured the roses and leaves with promarkers, with some chalking to soften the edges of the image.  

The backing paper is from Teresa Collins - just love these papers and I've nearly finished them - sob! - so I'll have to see if I can find some more!  And then some coredinations card for matting and layering. 

 The flowers are from WOC - and I've used an ivory wild rose but sprayed it with Cosmic Shimmer mists. I do like to do that with some flowers as it gives a lovely subtle 'sheen' to them.  The leaves were done with Spellbinders 'Fall Foliage' die set, some gorgeous leaves on there and I can see it will come in quite useful, particularly for 'seasonal' style cards.  And then just added a Marianne die swirl. 

So a fairly simple card really, but I was quite pleased with it! But I do love the aqua/teal colours.  And I just love the wording on this stamp - so true. 

So, have a good Sunday whatever you're doing. I'd better head to the kitchen and start feeding hungry teenagers!

Back soon, Kim x 

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

Clearly Inspired - leaves

Inspire me Fridays - anything goes

ATCs and cards with attitude - anything goes

Crafty Anns - monochrome (aqua)

Shellys Images - anything goes

Butterflies, Buttons & Bows

Yes, it's me again! As it's Friday it's time for a new challenge over at Totally Papercrafts!  There were some great interpretations of the sketch last week - and congrats to the winner!  This week the lovely Carol has chosen 'Butterflies, Buttons & Bows' as the theme - and I'm sure you'll find plenty to do with that one!

We're sponsored this week by

so definitely worth entering!

My creation for this challenge is

I used the lovely Wild Rose Studio stamp 'Feeding Birds' - and used some of my favourite pastel pinks and blues!  

I've coloured the stamp with promarkers.  The backing papers are from the lovely NitWit pads from LOTV, with some coredinations card.  I've used the arboscello tree die from Memory Box and the Marianne butterfly die.  The button & gems were from my stash, as is the blue lace, and the sheer ribbon is from Joanna Sheen.  

A typical 'girly' card from me then! 

So I hope you can catch a few butterflies and join in with us this week at Totally Papercrafts! 

Back soon, Kim x 

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

DigiStamps4Joy - colours of spring

My Mums Craft Shop - anything goes

Deep Ocean Challenge - things with wings

Ribbon Carousel - beautiful bows

Christmas Candle!

Good morning and hope that you're looking forward to the weekend?  Quite a busy weekend for us coming up as it's our son Jack's 14th birthday on Sunday, we're out for a 'birthday tea' tomorrow night and he's also got a football match on Sunday afternoon!  And we also have the added mayhem of our daughter Lauren going on holiday abroad with her boyfriend on Sunday - this will be their first holiday abroad together (they've been together nearly 2 1/2 years!) - and they're excited but a bit apprehensive about the airport, checking in, etc.! So my husband is taking them to the airport on Sunday afternoon - after the chaos of all the packing, etc., on Saturday! I'll be looking forward to Monday for a rest!

But less of my family-life waffle!  As it's Friday that means it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz!  There were some great entries last week in the 3-2-1 challenge - and congratulations to our winner! This week the lovely Suzie has chosen 'Christmas' as our theme - so time to get festive everyone!  The prize this week is sponsored by

and the winner can pick 3 packs of die cuts!

There are so many lovely Christmas stamps about - with more being launched all the time! - but I picked one I already had from LOTV (you might have guessed lol!) - and apologies, it's yet another 'red&green' Christmas card!

This stamp is called 'Christmas Candle' - and she is gorgeous! I just love that snuggly looking coat & hood! 

I've actually coloured the green coat with copics - yes, I finally bought a few pens to try, so still practicing and learning! I do like the brush tip though, but perhaps my blending technique could do with some more practice!  I've used promarkers for the other colours, with some added glitter on her hood, for the snow and around the candle flame - shame it doesn't show up better on the photo! 

The sentiment is also from LOTV and stamped onto kraft card. 

The cute little poinsettias were made with a Marianne die, and the fir branch is from Spellbinders 'Fall Foliage'.  The snowflake backing paper is from LOTV - Krafty Christmas. 

I've used a Tonic border punch on the red & green, with a red satin ribbon & a 'parcel' button. 

Hope you like it! So do dig out the tinsel & glitter and join in this week at CraftyCatz!

Back soon, Kim x 

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

Inky Impressions - anything goes

Simon Says Stamp - use a stamp (no digi)

Anything Goes Challenge - Christmas

Creative Card Crew - Christmas

Papertake Weekly - anything goes