So many crafting wishes - so little time!

Good evening all and hope that your week is going well? Just a quick one from me this evening - I don't know where the time has gone this week. And I'm getting so cross - there are so many great crafting things I want to do (and some fab new releases from Polkadoodles and Whimsy!) that I want to play with my crafty goodies all day - but no chance! And I've had to work extra hours this week so that has seriously cut down on some crafting time. Sigh.

Anyway, just a quick card to share with you this evening with a digi stamp that I'm ashamed to say I can't even remember where it came from.... (perhaps somebody out there knows and would let me know!)

I've coloured the image with promarkers. The backing papers are from First Edition. 

I've added some Glossy Accents on the roses but sadly it doesn't show up on the photo!  The sheer ribbon is from Joanna Sheen. I've used a MS border punch on the edge and some WOC roses and leaves. The sentiment is from LOTV. 

So just a quick and simple one, but hope you like it! 

Kim x 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:-
BearlyMine - anything goes
CraftySentiments - 3,2,1 (3 roses, 2 papers, 1 image)
Eureka Stamps - flower power

Anniversary Time

Good morning all and hope that your weekend went well - and that your Monday morning is not too stressful!  It's all quiet here at the moment - all at work, uni etc., and youngest back at school (much to his distress - 7am starts are not on his list of favourite things lol!).  But it's good to have the house to myself for a few hours so I can tidy up the weekend's leftovers and then hopefully get some crafting done.  We had a quiet but relaxing weekend with an enjoyable 'movie' night on Saturday when we slouched across sofas watching the James Bond 'Skyfall' on dvd!  A fantastic film - although Daniel Craig did nothing to help my hot flushes lol!  And so pleased to hear this morning that Adele won an Oscar for the theme tune! I'm hoping to go this week with a friend to see Les Mis at the cinema - we've been promising ourselves that we'll go so we'd better get a move on before it stops showing!

Anyway, less waffle!  This card today was one made for someone who's grandparents were celebrating their Diamond Wedding - 60 years! What a fantastic achievement!

Sorry if it seems a bit dark - I should have got some better lighting sorted!  I've used some gorgeous pearlised card from Crafters Companions that is an ivory colour with a hint of a gold tinge to it. I embossed a centre panel with Cuttlebug 'divine swirls' and matted with gold mirri card. The die cut panels are Spellbinders 'lattice motifs'. I printed the sentiment onto heavyweight card and then added some bling. 

The flowers are from WOC with some sheer ribbon and heart pin from stash. 

So quite a simple one really, but I quite liked the white-on-white - and the main thing is I was pleased to hear that the couple really liked it which is the main thing! 

Right I'm off to do some crafting - and I'm thrilled to report that there are some fabulous new releases at Polkadoodles and some gorgeous new stuff coming from Whimsy too! I feel like a kid in a sweetie shop and don't know what to attack with the promarkers first lol!  So much crafting to do and so little time!

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

Challenges4everybody - anything goes

DreamValleyChallenges - ribbon and bling

RobynsFetish - use ribbon

CraftyCalendarChallenge - love and marriage

CraftyAnns - love actually

Fairy Wings!

Hi I'm back again - it's time for a new challenge over at Polkadoodles and this week the theme is 'Fairy tale or Fantasy'.  Now, I do love the Cherryblossom Lane cd from Polkadoodles - and so decided to make a bunny fairy!  (I know, it's quite scary how my mind works sometimes - I blame the hormones....!). But rather than a card I thought I'd make a little gift carton

I've coloured the digi stamp from the cd with promarkers, then cut out some acetate wings and added some stickles!  Well, fairy wings should be glittery! 

The basic carton was made with coredinations card and then all the papers are from the Cherryblossom Lane cd with some distress inks round the edges. And I just love the sentiment (also from the cd) - and what could be better than a friend with chocolates! 

The ribbon and bling are from stash and I've used a Tonic punch on the edge. 

I hope you like it! 

So do have a look at the gorgeous fairy tale and fantasy inspiration from the Polkadoodles DT - they're such a talented bunch!  And then we'd love you to join us for the challenge! 

Kim x 

Dies & Punches!

Good morning and as it's Friday it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz!  There were some fabulous entries for our 'Bingo' challenge last week.  And this week our lovely Beth has challenged us to use our 'Dies and Punches'!  Now come on everybody, I would imagine that nearly every crafter must have some dies or punches, so do go and have a look at the fantastic inspiration from the DT this week and then get punching!
Our sponsors this week are

  and


and I have used a Digistamps4joy image on my creation this week

I've used a whole mixed bag of dies and punches on this one!  The sentiment is mounted onto a Spellbinders 'lattice' die cut, the backing papers (from Nitwit at LOTV) have been punched with a Tonic border punch and then the flowers have been punched with a Tonic punch from coredinations card! 

And I decided to make it into a 6" square gatefold card.  The sheer ribbon is from Joanna Sheen and pearls from stash and there's a little Stickles added round the edge of the sentiment. 

Hope you like it! 

So do join us with your die cutting and punches at CraftyCatz! 

Kim x 

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

Digistamps4joychallenge- birthdays

FabnFunky - flower power

PerfectSentiments - floral fantasia

CreativeCardCrew - birthday

Look on the bright side!

Good morning all in Blogland and I hope that the sun is shining for you like it is here - even though it's absolutely freezing!  But it's amazing how much better we feel when we see some sunshine (although it's showing up just how grubby my windows are lol! When you love crafting, life's too short to wash windows!). Thank you for all your kind comments when I'd reported in sick! It's reassuring to know that it's not just me - and most of my girlfriends also join me in a grumble as we're all about the same age, and all experiencing the same joyous 'symptoms'.  But as the sympathy at home usually extends to a silent pause and then "So, what's for tea?" it's good to share a moan now and again lol!

Anyway, on to today's card using Mo Manning's gorgeous digi 'Waiting for rain'

The papers are a mix of MyMindsEye and freebie ones! I've used some coredinations card for matting and layering, sanded back slightly, with some added stitching. I've coloured the image with promarkers

The sentiment stamp is from LOTV. I've used Spellbinders floral oval dies and some East of India ribbon from stash. 

Hope you like it! Right. I'd better get off and do some h****work (not sure that includes cleaning those windows though! Perhaps that's a job that should be 'delegated'!)

Back soon, 

Kim x 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:-
Crafting by Design - anything goes
Crafting for all seasons - dies/punches
PennysPaperCrafty - anything goes
FlourishesTimelessTuesday - use red
ABC Challenges - stitching
PaperPlaytime - use a sentiment stamp

Anyone for a game?

Hi everyone, and apologies for being MIA! I'd just like someone to explain to me how a bad headache can last for three days and then culminate in a horror of a migraine! Have just felt generally grot and with a bad head really could not face a computer screen! But thankfully it seems to have all subsided a bit so keeping my fingers crossed. I've a nasty suspicion it's all to do with being at 'an interesting age' lol!  One that usually involves mood swings that have the family retreating to a safe distance, playing hokey cokey with the duvet every night and a memory that feels like someone keeps pressing the delete button! Sigh.

Anyway, less of my moaning waffle! I'll make a concerted effort to catch up with all your lovely blogs and see what everyone has been up to!

Just wanted to share another 'inspiration' card for you using one of the February releases from Whimsy digital stamps.  This time I've used a fabulous Marika Collins digi called 'basketballer'

I've coloured the image with promarkers and a little bit of pencil for detail. 

The papers are from First Edition, the sentiment is also from Whimsy and the ribbon and gems from stash. I've used a Tonic punch for the edge. 

Do pop over to have a look at the gorgeous range of digi stamps released this month by Whimsy - there's something for everyone! 

Back soon, 

Kim  x

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

Cards in Envy - polka dots

DaisyDoodles - anything goes

PaperPlaytime - use a sentiment stamp

I love my pets!!

I'm back again - and this time with a challenge from Totally Papercrafts!  This week it's the turn of Team A and our lovely Cathy has chosen the theme of 'Pets'!  Oh, I know all about those lol!
There are two sponsors at TPC this week
 and  

so do pop over and join us with your pet-inspired projects!

I've used a new stamp I got from LOTV - 'A Saucer of Milk'

Aren't these two the cutest pair?  I've coloured the image with promarkers and little pencil

The papers are from Nitwit pads at LOTV (I think I must have been having a 'blue' theme at the moment lol!) and the little sentiment tags are also from LOTV.  I've also used the LOTV 'stitches' stamps on the edges - I think they look quite sweet! The flowers were made using a Marianne die with added pearls and a Marianne die cut swirl.  The twill ribbon and lace were from stash.  And I've even decorated the inside to match! 

Hope you like it!  I'm usually my own worst critic, but I quite liked this one! 

So do pop over to TPC and see the great samples from the DT and then join in! 

Back soon, 

Kim x 

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

DelightfulChallenges - scallops and lace

Lilis Little Fairies - pearls

CraftRoomChallenge - make your own embellishments

Cuttin&StampinChallenge - animal

FabnFunky - decorate inside of card

Eyes Down - it's Bingo Time!

Good morning and it's Friday again! Hope that you've had a good week so far - and are looking forward to the weekend!
It's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz and this week our lovely Naomi has picked the theme of 'Bingo'!


and this week we are sponsored by the Stamp Fairy


and I've used one of their images for my 'Bingo' card

I've picked the bottom line - embossing, glitter & kraft

and decided to make an easel card for a change.  The papers are a mix of LOTV NitWit pads and coredinations card. The balloons were die cut with a Sizzix die, the embossing with a CraftsToo folder. 

 

I've coloured the image with promarkers and added 'chalked' sky and Glossy Accents and glitter to the balloons. The ribbon is from my stash. The sentiment stamp is an old one from HeroArts. 

So do pop over to CraftyCatz and have a look at the fabulous inspiration the DT have produced. And then join in this week with the Bingo challenge! 

Back soon, 

Kim  x

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

CharismaCardz - anything goes

InkyImpressions - ribbon/twine

TuesdayThrowdown - anything goes

Add something metal

Good evening all and how has your day been?  We had snow this morning for a few hours, which gradually turned to sleet, hail then rain!  And it's currently pouring down!  Tilly and I have just been for our evening walk (I know, I must be mad!) and she's now laid out next to me and the enchanting aroma of 'eau de damp dog' is wafting through the house! Sigh.  Who'd be a dog owner.....?  At least my son had a good day - he'd arrived back freezing from school and with wet feet and muddy trousers "but we had a massive snowball fight on the cricket pitch"! Wonderful.  Roll on summer (if we get one!).

Anyway, I'm a bit late sharing this one.  It's time for a new challenge over at Whimsy Inspires Challenge blog and the challenge this month is to 'add something metal'

I've used 'Pretty Petals' by Stamp Art Design at Whimsy and coloured the image with promarkers and added a little stickles to the centres.  The papers are from K&Co, with dewdrops and a lovely metal butterfly from Wild Orchid.  The sentiment stamp is also from Whimsy and using their ticket die.

I do hope that you will pop over to the Whimsy Inspires blog and see the fabulous inspiration that the DT have produced - and then join in with the challenge! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

Tilly The Dog - Supermodel!

Just a quick one to share with you this evening.  As well as the card making, I've been doing a bit of knitting - and now Tilly the Dog has a new jumper!

and I have to say that she seems to quite like it!  Mind you, the weather is getting very cold tonight lol!

It was a 'make it up as I go along' pattern as most of the doggy jumper patterns I'd seen online were for, how shall I put it?, 'slimmer' doggies than Tilly! 

And Lauren and Tilly posing together in their woolly knits! lol! 

Tilly the Dog even looks like she's smiling in these photos!  If I'm honest, it's just because she likes to be the centre of attention! 

Hope the pics have made you smile!  I'm not sure Poppy the Cat wants a jumper - she's just sat on the sofa and glared at Tilly posing with her usual "stupid dog" expression on her feline face! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

Just so special

Good morning all and I hope that you had a good weekend.  I have to say that I had a fabulous weekend! We went away with all the family for a long weekend in the Lake District to celebrate my husband's 60th birthday and had a wonderful time. There were 10 of us, our four offspring with their partners (well, in Jack's case, one of his best friends!) and stayed at a gorgeous hotel overlooking Windermere.  It was stunning! I can't recommend the hotel enough as it is a very big place but they made us feel very special and gave us all a weekend to remember.  And it was wonderful to all be together - once children grow up and move away, get jobs, partners, homes, etc., it becomes more difficult to get time to relax all together so this was an ideal opportunity! Only problem is that it's now Monday, back to routine, laundry on, etc.! Sigh.

Anyway, I apologise if I haven't been around to comment on blogs over the last few days - I will try to catch up with everyone over the next day or so!

I just thought I'd share a card with you today that I made last week before we went away.  Although I've been attempting to make cards with simpler layouts, or ones that are 'flatter' for posting, I like to get a bit carried away with the embellishments every now and again!

This is a cute Sarah Kay stamp 'Time for apple pie'.  I've colour the image with promarkers and flexmarkers 

The backing papers are from NitWit pads at LOTV and the sentiment stamp is also from LOTV.  The sheer ribbon is from Joanna Sheen and the roses are from Wild Orchid (the middle one is actually an ivory rose that I've spritzed with cosmic shimmers to match!).  The die cuts are Poppystamps 'meadow leaf' and then some added pearl drops to finish.

Very girly!  But I love those blues and pinks! 

Thanks for looking - and thank you as always for the lovely comments that you take the time to leave, I really appreciate each and every one! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

EclecticEllapu - anything girly

OneStitchAtATime - anything goes

BrownSugarChallenge - anything goes

Love is all around....

Hi, I'm back again - and sharing the lurrrve lol!  With the theme of Valentine Love, this is an exciting one for me - my first contribution as part of the DT for the fabulous Polkadoodles!  There is a new challenge starting today with - you've guessed it! - the theme of Valentine Love.

So for my card I've used the gorgeous Polkadoodles cd 'Cherryblossom Lane' - and definitely got carried away with the papers, images, pinks, pastels,..... oops!

I've used this cute digi stamp from the cd - and I think it could be used for all sorts of celebration cards really, engagement, wedding, or just being in love! 

I've coloured the image with promarkers and a little distress in on the edges, and a touch of Stickles. 

And on the bottle and glasses I've added some Glossy Accents.  The scrummy backing papers are also from the cd, mounted on coredinations card and with a little stitching, and edged with a MS punch. I've added Marianne die cut hearts with some 'pearls' from a pearl pen and Marianne butterflies and the lovely sentiment is also from the cd, mounted onto a Spellbinders floral oval. 

The DT at Polkadoodles have produced some fabulous inspiration, so do pop over to have a look - and then join in the love! 

And there's even more of an excuse to celebrate like this pair - in the Polkadoodles shop Nikky has reduced all the cds to just £9.99! So treat yourself to a Valentine's gift! There's some fantastic artwork, digi stamps, papers, sentiments, etc., on all the cds so go and have a browse - the link is HERE. The sale won't last long though so hurry on over! 

Back soon, 

Kim x 

Love is in the air!

Good morning all and it's nearly the weekend! Yippee! I hope that this week has been a good one for you - and that you have a good weekend in store.
And as it's Friday it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz - and this week our lovely Aunty Sue has picked the theme of  'Love is in the air' - very appropriate for a certain approaching 14th February!  Our sponsor this week is the fantastic
 and the winner gets to pick 5 digi images!

I've used a gorgeous Kenny K digi for my DT card 'Sweet Melissa'

I've coloured the image with promarkers and the papers were freebies with a craft magazine!  

Then I simply added some buttons from my stash and a couple of Marianne die cut hearts. She does look quite sweet! 

Do pop over to the CraftyCatz challenge blog and have a look at the fantastic DT inspiration - the team really have put some gorgeous samples together!  And CraftyCatz are having a DT call at the moment for a few new members to join us. They are a really friendly team to work with, and some great challenges and inspiration! So whether you're already on a DT or a first-timer thinking of trying, please look at the details on the CC page HERE - we'd love to visit your blog! 

Back soon with more 'Valentine'! 

Kim x 

I

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

Cute Card Thursday - Love Struck

PaperCrafting Journey - Love

Fab'n'Funky - hearts/valentine

Ride 'em Cowboy!

Good evening everyone and I hope that your week has been going well? It's been a lovely sunny day today - but boy, has it been cold! It's definitely a chilly north wind lol! But as I was heading out today I could see across Morecambe Bay to the Lakeland hills and I can say that it is a stunning view when it's a crisp cold day with a blue sky and you can see snow on the hills! I'm just hoping it's still like that when we head up there with the family shortly!

Before I share my card today can I just say a big thank you for all the lovely comments that you leave - they really give a 'warm inside' feeling! And welcome to my new followers too!

Anyway, on to this little card.  Now I have to admit that I've had this stamp for quite a while - and he'd never seen ink! Oh dear - on to the naughty step again!  But now I've coloured him I can see just how cute he is and I've a feeling he'll be inked up again soon.

This little cutie is from LOTV called 'Yee Haa' and he just looks as though he's having a great time! It just reminded me of when my son Jack was little (before the grunting teenager supplanted him...). We got Tilly the Dog as an 8 week old puppy when Jack was 6 - and she soon established herself as the centre of the household and with Lauren as the one who fusses over her the most and Jack as the one for games and playing!  I came home numerous times to find the dog dressed in football shirts, with stickers on, scarves on, etc... So this stamp just seemed to fit the memories lol! 

I've coloured the image with promarkers - and got a few flexmarkers to try too which I'm finding very nice to use!  The backing papers are from NitWit pads at LOTV and the sentiment tags are from LOTV too. The burlap ribbon is from Joanna Sheen and I've added star die cuts from a Sizzix die. The cute wooden star buttons are from CraftyEmblies. The coredinations card has been embossed with a CraftsToo folder and lightly sanded back.

And I've even decorated inside to match lol! 

So hope you like this cute little pair.  I'll go and get the thermals on! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

WhimsicalDesigns - textile

BearlyMine - anything goes

CraftySentiments - anything goes

LovesRubberStamps - anything goes

Passion for Promarkers - boys and their toys

A Basket of Bunnies!

Good morning all and hope that your weekend has been going just as you wish! Quite a relaxing one for me - up to now! - but there's a nasty big pile of ironing that is lying in wait for me and I'm going to have to grit my teeth & get on with it. I'd much rather be playing with crafty things but hey ho! And I've still got a poorly cat - she's not really eating now so we've been trying to tempt her with different things, and my daughter and I sit and feed her little bits by hand to encourage her but she's still not eating anywhere near enough :(  The problem is that with the kidney disease, if she doesn't eat & drink enough then it can cause more damage, but it's a Catch22 situation because the kidney disease can affect their appetite and cause stomach acid!  And I've got a podgy dog getting giddy every time we try the cat with tempting tidbits and I can almost hear Tilly shouting "ME, ME, ME - give it to me Mum and I'll eat it!!!!" lol.

Anyway, less of my waffling and on to today's card.  The good news is that there are some fabulous new releases of Digi Stamps over at Whimsy Stamps - do pop over and have a browse! And as part of their Digital DT I'll be helping to showcase some of these fantastic new designs over the next few weeks. Today's card features a cuddly cute and gorgeous stamp from Crissy's Digis called 'Basket of Bunnies' which you can find HERE

Isn't that just the cutest image? I think it would be great for a variety of cards - Easter, new baby, get well, etc.  I've coloured it with promarkers

The spotty backing paper was a freebie with a magazine and the gorgeous soft flowery one is from LOTV Nitwit pads 'Precious Petals'. And I've used the fantastic new 'stitches' stamps from LOTV on the edges! Ooh I can imagine that they're going to come in VERY useful! I love stitching details but can't always be bothered to get the sewing machine out so these make a great alternative for idle crafters lol! Then I've just added a little lace and buttons from stash. 

So quite a simple card, but I was quite pleased with it - mainly because those bunnies are just so darned cute (particularly that one with it's bum in the air and just a fluffy tail showing...!)

So do have a look at the new Whimsy stamps - and there is the new January Whimsy Inspirations magazine online too that is full of great ideas, tutorials, hints and tips! Do take a look! 

Right, I've delayed the inevitable doom for far too long.....  Time to put some music on, plug the iron in and get on with it....!  If I've not disappeared under a pile of white shirts, coathangers and steam I'll be back soon! 

Kim x 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:-
Allsorts challenge - lets get cute
OneStopCraft - anything goes
ATCs & Cards with attitude - ribbons/lace
CardCraftersCircle - springtime

Springtime!

I'm back again because it's time for a new challenge over at Totally Papercrafts. This week it's the turn of Team A - and it's Yours Truly who's hosting the challenge this week. I've picked a nice easy one for everyone this week - Make Your Own Embellishments!

We've got two sponsors this week
  and   

so I've used a gorgeous Saturated Canary digi stamp called 'Springtime'

I've coloured her with promarkers, with some chalks for the sky background and a little pencil for some details

The backing papers are from Teresa Collins and First Edition, with coredinations card. I've used a Marianne swirl die cut and then punched flowers with Tonic punches, with pearl drops in the middle. 

So do pop over to the Totally Papercrafts challenge and have a look at the fantastic DT inspiration and then join us for the challenge! 

Back soon, 

Kim  x

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

DigiStamps4Joy - anything goes

PennysChallenges - for the girls

PrettyLittleRibbon challenge - ribbon & flowers

CraftyRibbons - anything goes with ribbon

PlayDateCafe - longing for spring

Home sweet Home!

Good morning and Friday again already! It just seems to have been so busy these last few weeks, at work and at home, and I'm just hoping things settle down again soon! So I apologise if I haven't got round to visit your blogs recently - and I'll make a determined effort over the next few days to catch up with everyone!

Anyway, it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz and this week our lovely Janette has asked us for 'Anything but a square'! That's definitely a challenge for me - a confirmed '6" square' card girl!  Anyway, I had a little play and came up with this

This started life as an A5 card!  The backing papers came from Polkadoodles Studio 12 cd-rom 'welcome home', and the stamp is also a Polkadoodles one 'Be Neighbours'.  I love these little stamps that you can use singly or put together in a little 'street'! I've coloured them with promarkers

I've added some strips cut with Spellbinders border dies, and Sizzix die cut felt flower and some twine. And I just LOVE that sentiment from the cd - that definitely feels true in our house! I am convinced sometimes that either my voice has gone completely or by some spell I'm now talking in some strange foreign dialect, because nobody pays the slightest attention to what I'm saying! Sigh.

Anyway, I hope you will pop over to the CraftyCatz challenge and have a look at the fantastic DT samples and then join in! 

I'll be back soon,

Kim  x

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:-
CardsbyLadyAnne Stamp Challenge - anything goes
CraftySentiments - buttons & bows