Fairies for all!

Just a quick post from me to let you know about an exciting challenge over at Polkadoodles - this week the challenge is 'Fairies' but the catch is that you have to use an image from Nikky Hall's fantastic Christmas cd 'Angelberry Christmas'.  But the really exciting news is that there is a freebie digi stamp from the cd for everyone worth £2.95!  Do pop over to the challenge blog HERE and see the link and get your free Angelberry digi stamp!

You will also see details of a fantastic new digital collection that is being released soon - Home For Christmas

And there is a massive £4 saving if you pre-order this before 11th September! 

So do pop over to the Polkadoodles challenge blog, read all the exciting news, see the fabulous inspiration from the DT - and don't forget to get your freebie digi! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

Ribbon Pleating!

Hello all and I can't believe it's Friday already! Where did that week go?
A scheduled post from me as I'm at work today and it's my last day in my old job!  It'll feel strange leaving today after over 8 and a half years, but I'm looking forward to starting my new one on Monday. I'll let you know how it goes!
As it's Friday it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz and this week our lovely Nick gave us the challenge of 'ribbon pleating'.  We're sponsored by the fabulous Crafty Ribbons - and do pop over to the challenge blog and see the fantastic inspiration from the DT!
I've used a Wild Rose stamp 'Bella with wand' (and apologies for the rather dark photo!)

I've coloured the image with promarkers and added a good scatter of glamour dust!

Now I'm sorry but I think my ribbon pleating is a little on the dodgy side! It was more difficult than I thought with sheer ribbon!  The papers were freebies with a magazine. I've mounted the image on a Spellbinders 'floral oval' and added the banner using Whimsy stamps and die. The holly die is from Cheery Lynn with some red pearl 'berries' and some buttons from stash. 

I do hope you'll join us at CraftyCatz with your ribbon pleating creations!

And thank you for taking the time to comment - they are always welcome and much appreciated.

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

Christmas at Sweet Stampin - winter animals

Inky Impressions - animals

Stamp and Create - glitter

So how has your week started?

Hello all and how has your week started?  Hope you enjoyed the Bank Holiday weekend (for those that had one!) and that you also got some of the lovely sunshine that we were blessed with.  Thank you for all your kind comments regarding Tilly the Dog.  She is still on numerous tables and tinctures from the vet - she saw him again today and seems to be improving so we're carrying on with the treatments. She must be feeling better as she's getting naughty again and when I was taking her for a walk this evening she managed to roll in something revolting so had to have a hose down and shampoo when we got back! So we now have the delightful (not!) aroma of damp dog floating around and I've got wet shoes & trousers. Sigh.

 Tilly smiling!

But despite all that we've enjoyed some lovely sunshine as well.  We are lucky to live in a lovely part of the UK with the Lake District and the North York moors a half hour drive away, and we live about 4 miles from Morecambe seafront.  Sadly, I think Morecambe as a seaside resort has faded somewhat over the years, but the views from the promenade on a clear day are just wonderful.  We had a lovely walk down the seafront a few days ago and I took a couple of pics on my phone - the second one has an arrow pointing to roughly where I grew up!  We moved there when I was a young child, living a few yards from the beach and a fantastic place to grow up, with all my childhood summers spent on the beach or playing in the rock pools! 

 Anyway, apologies for the waffle but do hope that you like the seaside pics! I'll try and get some better ones soon with the wonderful view of the Lakeland hills! 

A quick card to share with you as well today using the HunkyDory kit that I was fortunate to win recently. As I said, I very rarely use kits these days, but they are useful for quick cards or those occasions when you haven't got anything else ready to hand, and I needed a wedding one and this was a lovely topper

I've used a scalloped 6" square card with some coredinations card for matting. I've added some flowers from WOC, some sheer ribbon from Joanna Sheen, a MB die cut 'precious heart' and a pearly heart. 

And the inside decorated to match

Hope you like it.  And thanks for letting me share some pics with you - and a thank you for all your good wishes from Tilly the Dog too! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

Vintage Pinks

Hello all and I hope that your weekend has been going well?  And a Bank Holiday weekend for many of us in the UK so I hope that you get chance to relax - and some crafty time too!  Sadly Tilly the Dog is not too good again and had to go to the vet's yesterday morning.  After blood tests and numerous injections I came away with a carrier bag for all her medications and as if to let them know what she thought she managed to make the most obnoxious smell in the reception room as I was picking myself up off the floor when they gave me the bill!  They phoned me later to tell me that she has pancreatitis and they think she has a stomach ulcer :(  So we've got numerous meds - anti-inflammatory tablets, antibiotics, things to take with a meal, medicine to take an hour before a meal..... As if my poor addled brain can cope with more details lol!  But she obviously started to feel a bit more comfortable later yesterday and slept all evening and all night!  So just keeping an eye on her today and then back to the vets on Tuesday after the Bank Holiday. Hey ho.  And of course, as she's the centre of attention in this household anyway (my daughter Lauren always call her 'Ma Hunny'!) she's making sure that she plays the sympathy card to it's full capacity lol!

I've been having another play with the gorgeous Joanna Sheen cd 'Age of Elegance' and used another Waterhouse image (this one is 'Narcissus' if you're interested!)

I've used K&Co papers and Coredinations card and I've distressed the edges. The flowers are from WOC and the sentiment stamp is a Clarity one I've had forever, stamped and distressed.  I've added some lace from stash. I've used a gorgeous crushed silk ribbon with a pearly brad and I love the way the ribbon reflects the colours and textures of her dress in the painting! 

And the inside decorated to match. 

So I hope you enjoy your weekend whatever you have planned. 

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

A Gem of a Challenge - something with a 'B' (bow)

Totally Gorjuss - bows

CraftyRibbons - anything goes with ribbon

CraftyCreations - shabby chic

Papertake Weekly - flower power

CityCrafterChallenge - 1 stamp, 2 papers, 3 embellishments (flowers, lace, ribbon) + photo insp

Bright & Beautiful!

Hello and I'm back again!  It's time for a new challenge over at Polkadoodles - and this week our challenge is 'All things bright and beautiful'!  Now you can interpret this how you like, bright colours, images, etc.!

I've used the fabulous Angelberry Christmas cd from Polkadoodles - there are some fantastic Christmas images, papers, etc.  So I decided to make an envelope gift bag with an A5 envelope

I've used papers from the cd - with a tag from the cd - and I've added a sentiment and some glitter.  The top edge has been punched with a Tonic punch and I've used a little pompom trim and some sheer ribbons and two buttons from stash. 

There are some fantastic creations from the DT over at the Polkadoodles site - they are a creative bunch lol! So do have a look at their wonderful inspiration and then join us with your bright and beautiful makes.

Back soon,

Kim x 

Summer Break Over - A New Challenge At CraftyCatz!

Hello all and I hope that your week has gone well! If Blogger is behaving with my scheduled posts, this should be Friday morning - and I'll be at work!  But the good news is - it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz!

This week we are sponsored by Kenny K and Marianne Designs and our lovely DT member Tilly has given us the challenge of using 'Stitching - real or faux - with an added option of using fabric!' but please remember to state what material has been used. If you choose to leave out the option of material and just cover the stitching then you will be entered into the prize for our second sponsor.  Now material can be felt, lace, cheesecloth, etc., so I'm sure there are some suitable things hiding in your crafty stash lol!

I've used a fab image from Kenny K 'Victory Kid'

I've coloured the image with copics and promarkers. 

I've added faux stitching using the LOTV stitches stamp. The backing paper is from stash - it's been there so long, goodness knows where it came from lol!  I've embossed a panel with CraftsToo 'starry night' folder and added some distress inks. The ribbon is from stash, with felt stars and a Marianne die cut felt 'buckle'. 

The sentiment tags are from LOTV. 

So do join us over at CraftyCatz with your stitching creations and do pop over to the CraftyCatz blog and see the fabulous inspiration from the DT! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

Having a blue Christmas!

Hello all and hope that your week has started well?  I've been at work today - but on my 'final countdown' to when I leave next week lol!  It will feel strange leaving a job and a place I've been for over 8 years but I'm really looking forward to my new job!  And thank you for all your good wishes about Tilly the Dog - and all your good vibes must have helped because she's definitely a bit brighter!  The tail is wagging again (whereas at the weekend it was drooping sadly lol!) and she's interested in walks and tea.  I've had her on plain boiled chicken and rice - I think she quite likes being a bit poorly!

I've really got into making a few Christmas cards now - which still feels a bit bizarre in August!  I've used the gorgeous 'Winter Fairy' from WeeStamps.

I've coloured the image with copics and added some glamour dust to the wings, white Flowersoft on the 'furry' trims and some pearl drops. 

I've used kraft card and papers from LOTV pads 'Krafty Christmas' and 'Petal Fresh' and the sentiment is also from LOTV.  I've added some lace from stash and some holly die cut leaves - I got a couple of new dies from Joanna Sheen and love these holly leaves that perfectly cut and emboss all in one go! I've added some red pearls for berries.

Hope you like this little cutie! 

I hope that you have a good week - with some crafty time squeezed in as well! 

Back soon,

Kim x

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

CraftyBoots - Christmas

Fashionista Challenge - Christmas

Stamp and Create - glitter

The Hobby House - Christmas

Delicious Doodles - Christmas in August

CRAFT Challenge - Christmas 

Magnolia-licious/WeeStamps - lace

Cute as a bug!

Good morning all and I hope that your day is brighter than here - although I think the rain has eased off a bit now and there's a bit of brightness peeping through!  It rained such a lot yesterday that we need a bit of a dry bright day today to balance things up a bit lol!
A quiet morning here as my son had a sleepover at one of his friends last night and my daughter has headed off to do a shift at the hotel where she works in holidays and weekends.  But sadly no lie in for me this morning!  Tilly the Dog is not feeling too good and obviously has some tummy discomfort and keeps pacing around - and decided at 6am this morning that she really needed her mum to come down and sit with her!  Not sure what the problem is but we'll just keep an eye on her today and hopefully she'll brighten up as the day goes on.  I think she'd be better if she could sleep for a while but she's obviously finding it difficult to settle.  It'd be so much easier if they could tell you what the problem was lol!  The joys of pet ownership!

And I've had to put comment moderation on the blog as I seem to keep getting plagued by spam comments!  They're so annoying - with such utter drivel! - but I'm not sure of any other way to get rid of them!  Thankfully Blogger seems to filter most out but they're still a pain.  I don't know whether some 'key words' seem to trigger them or what, but it's often certain posts that generate the most spam! Hey ho.

But despite all that, thank you for calling by my little blog - and a huge thank you for all the lovely comments that you leave!  It's lovely to think that other people like my crafty creations - and I love browsing around everyone's blogs to see what people are doing and get inspiration and ideas.

On my card today I've used one of the gorgeous little characters on the 'Baby Fairies' set from Mo's Digital Pencil.  I've been tempted by these for ages and keep seeing odd ones pop up on blogs so decided that I would get the set when Mo had a 20% discount on last week!

I've coloured this cutie with copics and promarkers and tried a different colour combo for the skin - I'm never 100% happy with my skin colouring as I think it often looks too pale, but I don't want them to look like they've had a bad spray tan either!  I've added some glossy accents to the wings and ladybird and a sprinkle of glamour dust to the wings.  Don't you just love that little tummy! 

I've used First Edition papers, with Spellbinders edgeabilities for the side borders, a Joy crafts leafy die and flowers from WOC.  The sentiment tag is from LOTV (I've used these SO much!). 

Hope you like it! 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend,

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

Mo'sDigitalChallenge - something sweet

QKR Stampede - Don't Bug Me

Cut It Up - What's Bugging You?

Card Crafters Circle - winged things

The House That Stamps Built - things with wings

Ophelia

Hello all and I hope that your weekend is looking a bit brighter than it is here - bit grey and overcast this morning!  At least the rain hasn't arrived - yet!  So hoping that I can get some crafting done later - I think everyone else has got plans (thank goodness!) and I can always craft more 'comfortably' when I'm on my own in the house lol!  Well, on my own apart from Tilly the Dog and Grumpy Poppy!  We had a power cut last night which seemed to have affected quite a few roads near us as well, and Tilly wasn't too keen when everything went black about 10.30pm last night - and then it set a few house alarms off too!  And my son Jack wasn't too impressed as he was mid-way through eating his supper and all his lights, computer, etc., all went off in his room - although it was quite a novelty to sit and finish his supper with a candle next to him!  Thankfully it wasn't off too long, but then flicked on and off again shortly after - and that caused the major crisis of his computer going off and refusing to come back on!  Oh dear.  If you are familiar with teenagers and computers you'll know that their favourite bit of electronics not working is akin to the end of the world!  We pointed out that it was rather late to start messing with it and to get to bed - and I'll leave husband to deal with that one today!

Anyway, I treated myself this week to a new cd released by Joanna Sheen called 'Age of Elegance'. I don't do a lot of cd crafting these days (as I love my stamps and pens) but I just couldn't resist this one!  I love Pre-Raphaelite art and have quite a few large framed prints around the house (there were some grumblings that the lounge was starting to look like an art gallery...) and when I saw samples of the artists featured on the cd I'm afraid it became a must-have.   And they make for wonderful 'vintage' style cards and creations.  I've used 'Ophelia' by John William Waterhouse for this one

There are lots of wonderful backing papers on the cd too with art nouveau designs and ones from William Morris.  So if you like that style of artwork, do have a look at the cd.  I've used two of the backing papers, with distress inks on the edges, and Kaisercraft 'postmark' stamps.  I've added some flowers from WOC and kept the colours quite soft and muted.  There is a Marianne die cut swirl and some lace, pearls and ribbon from stash. 

And the inside decorated to match. 

I think this might be going to my lovely sister-in-law who also loves this style of art - and who earlier this year bought us a fabulous framed print of 'The Lady of Shalott' by Waterhouse! 

Enjoy your weekend whatever you have planned. Back soon,

Kim x 

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

Its all about the vintage - summer flowers

Paper Crafting Journey - distressed/vintage

Crafting By Design - anything goes

PennysPaperCrafty - ribbon/lace

Time for butterflies

Hello all and I hope that you've had a good week?  I've had the usual mix of teenagers in and out of the house - during school holidays especially it starts to feel like a staging post!  There are usually extra bodies for meals or stopping over - keeping track of it is a challenge. And I wonder why I get headaches!

Thank you for all your kind comments about my creations - they mean so much!  And a warm welcome to my new followers - I'm honoured that you want to visit my blog!

Just a quick one from me today - I love the papers and images on the fabulous Bonbon Belles cd from Polkadoodles so used some of them to make a tag today

I've just added some distress inks, gems and some glamour dust, and some seam binding ribbon!  All the papers, embellishments and sentiment are from the cd.

Have a look at the great Bonbon Belles cd over at Polkadoodles - there are some gorgeous images, papers and colour ranges! 

I'll be back soon,

Kim x 

A Birthday Cow - and a farewell!

Hello all and I hope that your week has got off to a good start?  I was at work today - but now starting to count down days in my head to when I finish and then start my new one!  It's a strange mix of emotions when leaving one job and moving on - I've been in my current job for over 8 1/2 years so it will feel odd leaving. But I'm so looking forward to my new one, much nearer to home and good hours. I'm popping in later this week to take in some forms and get a chance to meet some of my new colleagues, so at least my first day at the beginning of September won't be quite so scary if I've already met some people lol!

But it's also time for another farewell for me.  As my time seems to be getting a little more restricted I've decided to step down from the Whimsy Digital Design Team. It was a difficult decision as I've thoroughly enjoyed working with the wide range of digi images that they release every month, but I hate having to do a 'rush job' with cards and wouldn't like the idea of presenting something I wasn't happy with.  And as my new job involves more hours I decided that after 9 months I would step down and give someone else the chance to join a great team! And I'd like to thank Whimsy for giving me the chance to work with their great products and talented designers.
As my 'farewell' I've used one of the fabulous new August releases from Whimsy for my card today - this is 'Birthday Cow' by Crissy's Digis

Isn't that just such a cute image?!  I've gone for a brighter colour scheme with this one - reminds me a bit of ice cream colours!  I've coloured the image with copics and promarkers

The great backing papers were freebies with a magazine. I've used a Tonic punch for the edging and some punched flowers with pearly centres. 

The leafy die cuts are chopped up bits of a Memory Box 'arboscello tree'!  The sentiment ticket stamps are from Whimsy and a little added ric rac on the edge! 

Hope you like this cute little moo cow! And don't forget to check out the gorgeous digi stamps in the August release from Whimsy! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

CraftySentiments - dies/punches

Just Inspirational - photo inspiration

PapertakeWeekly - Occasion-ally

Artistic Inspiration - dies/punches

EurekaStamps - blooms & blossoms

Those cute little meeces!

Hello all and I hope that your weekend is going well? A fairly quiet one here with just the usual comings and goings - and thankfully a much reduced toothache! Yippee! Not sure what we have planned today as the weather seems to be a bit 'sunshine & showers' but we were hoping to perhaps have a 'practice walk' with Tilly the Dog, to my new job! I'd better explain - the school is about a mile and a half away from home so within walking distance, but there are a couple of different routes there and one is more 'hilly' than the other (most of our little city seems to be on hills!) so I had the bright idea that when it was a fine day I could walk to work, thus getting some exercise (much needed!) and saving petrol and parking hassle.  But it would help if I knew how long it would take me and which was the better route (i.e. easiest!).  I did ask my son which route him and his friends tended to use and was met with a frozen look of horror as for a split second I could see him thinking "OMG she wants to walk with us!!!!".  I did point out to him that my hours would be different to his, and although the thought of being seen out in public with his mother filled him with horror, what made him think that I necessarily wanted to be seen in public with him.....?! Lol! We'll see what the day brings!

Anyway, I'll stop waffling!  It's time for a new challenge over at the Joanna Sheen Challenge and this week the challenge is to use 'Embossing - either heat or dry'.  There has been a slight change in the rules of the challenge blog and any designs can be entered, but only those entries using a Joanna Sheen image can be entered into the prize draw.  But as Joanna has such a wide range of cds, stamps, etc., it shouldn't be too difficult to find one that you like!
I've used a gorgeous House Mouse stamp 'Sunflower' for my card

Aren't they the cutest pair?  I've coloured the image with promarkers and copics with some added distress ink

The backing paper is from First Edition. I've embossed a piece of coredinations card with a Die'sire Embossalicious folder 'floral frenzy' and sanded it back lightly. I've added some stitching and a Marianne die cut flower and leaf. The gingham ribbon is also from Joanna's shop HERE and I've added a Memory Box die cut buckle. 

Hope you like this cute pair! And don't forget to have a look at the fabulous inspiration from the Joanna Sheen DT and then join us with your embossed creations! 

Enjoy your day - whatever you have planned!

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

Allsorts challenge - stitching

Brown Sugar Challenge - anything goes

Patties Creations - embossing

ABC Challenge - S is for Stitching

Animal Friends Challenge - summer

Crafters Companion - animals are everywhere (used Embossalicious 'floral frenzy' folder)

A mini album!

Hello all, and I hope that you've had a good end to the week - and have a lovely weekend planned! Big apologies from me as this should have gone on this morning but I forgot to schedule it last night and I've been at work (I'm blaming toothache/antibiotics/hot flushes/school holidays - delete as appropriate!).

Anyway, the CraftyCatz challenge blog is having a couple of weeks summer break to give the DT chance to recharge the batteries!

But it is time for a new challenge over at Polkadoodles - and this week the challenge is 'In the garden'!  I was in the garden yesterday trying to get the jungle areas under control and didn't realise until this morning that I'd provided a tasty snack to lots of little bugs - so have now got lots of little itchy areas lol!

The DT at Polkadoodles have been using some of the fantastic download bundles that are available at Polkadoodles - and for my creation I used the fabulous 'Hootie Trees' download bundle, with some gorgeous papers, trees, etc.!  And I decided to make a little mini-album -

Now these are cute, quick to make mini albums made with one sheet of 12" x 12" paper - with lots of little folds for adding tags, etc. 

If you're not sure how to make these do let me know and I'll sort a little 'tutorial' for it - I'll be honest and say that I got the idea from a tutorial I saw a long time ago and can't for the life of me remember where! But I'm sure they've appeared on numerous websites and blogs! 

But do pop over to the Polkadoodles challenge blog and have a look at the fantastic DT ideas - and then join us with your garden ideas! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

Sunshine & Christmas!

Right!!! No more whingeing about toothache and dentists. This is supposed to be a crafting blog - albeit with lots of waffle and little snippets about our family exploits and life with a dotty dog and grump of a cat!  I'll just say 'Thank goodness for painkillers' lol!

Now it always seems a little surreal to be making a Christmas card, dressed in summery clothing with the sun shining.  But I really thought I ought to crack on with making some of my Christmas cards.  Now I usually like some nice music on in the background when I'm crafting, and when the seasonal card production gets into full swing then I often put some nice 'Christmassy' sort of music on to get me 'in the mood' - but even I couldn't bring myself to put Christmas music on when the sun is blazing through and doors and windows are all open.  The neighbours (or any passing stray soul) would think I had really lost the plot!  So I've had to content myself with doing some Christmas crafting with different music on - but I think my little addled brain gets a bit confused.  (Well, more confused than usual!  Or then again, it might be the painkillers.....!)

Anyway, I've used a gorgeous digi from Mo's Digital Pencil 'Little Elf Finn'

Isn't that the cutest little smile?

I've coloured the image with copics and promarkers and added glossy accents and glamour dust to the bauble and some white Flowersoft to the furry trim on the hat, etc., and a few little red pearls for holly berries! 

The red backing paper is Coredinations embossed card, with some 'Krafty Christmas' dp from LOTV. The ribbons are from stash and the little gold 'bells' were 'pinched' from the crackers we had last Christmas! (I think the kids feel mum has definitely cracked up when she sifts through things to see what can be recycled onto crafty projects!)

Hope you like my Christmas elf! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

Papertake Weekly - anything goes

Crafts and Me - anything goes

Can You Digi It - Holiday themed digi

Deep Ocean Challenge - Christmas in July

Craft-Dee Bowz - anything goes + handmade bow

Get Inky challenge - ribbons

Ouch!

Hello Blogland and I hope that your week has started well - or at least better than mine lol!  Thanks for all your lovely comments about my last card, and the photo of that rascally Tilly the Dog and for your good wishes about the toothache!  I saw my dentist on Monday and after much prodding, poking and xrays it turns out to be something of a recurrence of a problem I had about 18 months or so ago.  And if you're of a squeamish disposition I'd just scroll down a bit now and skip the next bit!  I won't go into the gory details, but he thinks I have a cyst in the upper jaw above 4 of my front teeth, so had two root drilled & treated, got two different lots of antibiotics for a week and then off to the doctor's for extra-strong painkillers! He's referring me to the maxillo-facial surgeon at the hospital as if it is a cyst (he doesn't think it's a tumour because of the shape apparently!) then it may need surgery. I'm just not going to think about it yet!  I did protest in my most pathetic voice that I've just got a new job and didn't want time off!  Sigh.  Why can nothing ever be simple - just a quick 'drill and fill' and back to normal!  Hey ho.  Such is life!

So I'm playing for extra sympathy at home - not that it's working noticeably!  And it was off to work today albeit doped up with painkillers. I can't really take time off when I'm already working my notice can I? But it's gradually easing off a bit now, and hopefully when the antibiotics really get working then I'll feel a bit more human again.  Regular readers of my little blog will know me by now - ever the optimist and 'glass half full' sort of person!  Good job both hubby and I are quite happy, relaxed souls otherwise I think we'd go mad sometimes lol!

So, I'll let you know how things go - and I'm hoping that once it all feels a bit better I'll be able to get on with some crafting!  I must have been feeling rough if I've not been near my craft table!  But I've got a little card to share with you that I made before I went away with my prize win of a HunkyDory kit, very handy for a quick card!

I've simply added some spotty ribbon from Joanna Sheen, a Marianne ivy leaf die cut (with a touch of glamour dust) and some pink cherry blossoms from WOC. 

Right, I'm off to have a cup of tea - and take yet more tablets lol! 

I'll be back soon,

Take Care,

Kim x 

Busy in the garden

Hello all and I hope that you've had a relaxing weekend?  A fairly quiet one here - although I've had toothache all weekend so not a happy bunny!  I'll be phoning my dentist first thing in the morning and hopefully get it sorted, as I admit that I'm a wuss when it comes to dental pain!  So, that combined with not sleeping well because it's been so warm and uncomfortable at night has contributed to me being something of a miserable grump! Most of the family have learnt the warning signs, retire to a safe distance and stay calm but youngest hasn't quite learnt that skill yet (or just likes to light the blue touchpaper!) and so has been growled at several times over the weekend!  Oops. I'll apologise when I've got rid of the toothache and had a decent night's sleep lol!

However, I should really be celebrating as I had a very exciting bit of news at the end of last week - I've been offered a new job!  I had applied for a job at my son's school, our local boys grammar school, for an admin support job but didn't think I'd have much chance as I know how popular these positions are (good school, good hours, term time, etc!) but got asked for an interview.  We arrived back from holiday at 2am on Wednesday and I had an interview at 11am!  But despite my bleary-eyed look, I must have said the right things as they phoned me later to offer me the position!  To say I'm thrilled would be an understatement. I've worked at an accountants for over 8 years, but this has better hours for me and is near to home.  So I'm working my notice in my old job and start my new one at the beginning of September - I'll let you know how it goes!  The hardest bit was telling my son that I'd got a job at his school - he wasn't overly pleased!  But he has come around to the idea now, and as I pointed out to him, my hours are different to his and quite a few of the staff there have sons at the school - and they've said the general rule is that we don't speak to our sons first, we wait for them to acknowledge us if we meet them in school!  Otherwise we might ruin their street cred lol!

Anyway, apologies yet again for the huge amount of waffle!  I've made a little card using a Sarah Kay image 'Elodie in the garden'

I've coloured her with copics and promarkers

The backing papers are from K&Co. I've added a MS punched frame and edge and the sentiment is from LOTV. The watering can die cut is from Memory Box with some daisies from WOC, and I've added the Lala Land banner. 

And I decided to make the card an offset gatefold design

Hope you like it! 

Before I go, I thought I'd share a photo of Tilly the Dog with you that we've entitled 'Are you comfy?'

We felt we ought to ask her if she had enough cushions or if they needed plumping up!  She is one very spoilt dog!  She does have a dog bed of course, complete with pillow and blanket! (which she takes with her whenever she has to go to kennels!) - but obviously nothing beats getting comfortable on the sofa with all the soft furnishings arrange to her liking! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

Pretty Pastels

Good morning all and I hope that you've all had a good week? A busy few days for me with arriving back from holiday, trying to catch up with all jobs (not to mention laundry!) and back to work today - so a scheduled post from me if Blogger plays along nicely!  A very warm welcome to my new followers too - I'm thrilled that you'd like to follow my crafting exploits (along with the huge amount of waffle!).
It's time for a new challenge over at Crafty Catz and a nice easy one for everyone this week - Pastel Colours.  And our sponsor this week is

I've used a cute LOTV stamp 'Baby Blanket' and was tempted to use my usual mix of pastel pinks and blues - but thought I'd have a change and went for pastel lemons and greens! 

I've coloured the image with promarkers and some chalk around the edge

The backing papers were freebies with a crafting magazine. I've added a Tonic punched edged on the centre panel, some sheer ribbon from Joanna Sheen, and a sentiment tag from LOTV. The banner was made with a Whimsy die, and some pastel buttons from stash. 

So do join us over at Crafty Catz with your pastel creations and see the fabulous inspiration from the DT!

Back soon,

Kim x