Anything Goes!

Hello all and it's Friday again - and this week has flown by at super-fast speed!  And our French exchange student arrives tomorrow to stay with us for a week so wish me luck lol! So more house-tidying, changing beds, shopping, etc., to do before then - apart from going to work! Hey ho!  But it's a great experience for our son to have a French boy stay with us (and then our son heads off to Lyon to stay with his family in March!) - at least, I hope it'll be a good experience....!

Anyway, it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz - and a nice easy one this week for everyone - 'Anything Goes'.  I've used an image from one of our sponsors this week, Digi Darla

I've coloured the image with copics and promarkers. The backing paper is from K&Co, with some added stitching and ribbon from stash. The sentiment tag is from LOTV and the flower dies are Spellbinders with some little button centres

Quite a simple layout - but bright colours! Perhaps what we need on grey and rainy days! 

Do have a look at the fantastic inspiration from the CraftyCatz team - they do some great creations every week! - and then join in with us.

Have a great weekend - whatever you have planned! I'll let you know how our visitor gets on lol! 

Au Revoir! 

 Kim x 

Scary white paper....!

Hello all and I hope your week is going well? I can't believe it's Tuesday evening already - I'm not quite sure what happened to the last few days as I blinked and then it skipped from Friday to Tuesday..... Sigh.  I just seem to be so busy with different things at the moment that the time is flying by - but then again, I'd probably moan and be bored if things were quiet and time was dragging lol!

Tomorrow is my husband Colin's birthday (although he insists he stopped counting them quite a few years ago!) so I thought I'd share the card I'd made for him. He isn't one for 'fussy and fancy' although he likes them on the 'girly' cards!  So I've gone for clean and simple - and boy, is it a scary place...?! I start to have a mild panic when I see all that white paper lol!  I was lucky enough to win a challenge recently on Mo's Digital challenge and so picked a couple of new digis for my prize and when I saw this cute little guy I just couldn't resist - especially when I saw that he was called Colin!

I've coloured him with a mix of copics and promarkers

Then simply added some stitching (I'm finding the top stitch thread from Gutermann really makes a difference when stitching on cards - from sewandso.co.uk or the ribbon girls). The bakers twine is from stash and then I've added sentiment tags using LOTV stamps with some metal eyelets.

So it's VERY clean and simple - I'm just hoping it's not TOO simple! 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the rest of your week. I'll be busy getting ready for our French exchange student who's arriving on Saturday for a week - and a quick word to whoever's got the weather controls to please turn off the "Rain" button for a few days (it's a wonder we've not all got webbed feet....)

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

Bunny Zoe's - stitching

Creative Creations - less is more

Ooh la la - a Man card

Dream Valley - no designer paper

Cutie Pie challenge - cute and blue

Monochrome

Hello all and I hope that your week has been a good one - and that you have something nice planned for the weekend? Thank you for all the lovely comments on my knitting efforts - even if my son did laugh and say "What do you want a knitted rabbit for?".....  They just don't understand!

Anyway, as it's Friday it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz and this week our lovely Naomi has challenged us with creating in "Monochrome".  Now, I don't do this very often and then when I do make a monochrome card I wonder why I don't do it more often lol!  It's such an effective look with some images and gives a great effect.  We're sponsored this week by Delicious Doodles and I've used one of their images for my card

I decided to use sepia/brown monochrome and so printed the image with sepia tones, and some distress inks on the edges. The backing papers are from Basic Grey with some brads, twill ribbon and button from stash.

So do pop over to CraftyCatz and have a look at the great inspiration from the Design Team and then join us with your monochrome creations.

Back soon,

Kim x 

Meet Primrose!

Hello all! How's your week going?  Don't seem to have had a minute this week - constant stream of jobs at home, appointments and things to do - not to mention actually going to work as well!  I'm sorely in need of some therapeutic crafting time and am determined to fit some in this weekend (in between doing some decorating and laundry....!).  And to add to the pantomime, Tilly the Dog went to see Uncle James (the vet) this morning - she's got sore paws and he said that she's got a deep-seated infection in the dew claws (which is why I keep finding little spots and smears of blood - lovely!).  So antibiotics for a week, and I'm supposed to bathe her feet in salt water every day (should be fun trying to do that!) and put some cream on as well and stop her immediately licking it off (easier said than done!).  So, the "Cone of Shame" will have to come out once more to be put on for 10 minutes or so each time she has the cream on.  That should thoroughly freak the cat out.....  Sigh.

But, as I mentioned the other day, I've been enjoying doing some knitting of an evening and finished our latest addition to the pet family (and thankfully one that's clean, quiet, doesn't need walking or visits to the vet!)
Meet Primrose...

There is a fabulous site for the most gorgeous toy knitting patterns (and wonderful pics and ideas) here at Mary Jane's Tearoom.  Even if you don't like knitting, I'd still recommend a visit!  But I got my download pattern from there - and have now got another couple so am keen to start on another cute make! 

It's the first time I've knitted a toy (I've done the odd jumper for the children or crocheted blankets - that's one of them in the background of the photo) but I really enjoyed making Primrose. I'm not sure I've got the features quite right on her face, but she does look a bit better in real life (perhaps she's like me and doesn't like having her photo taken lol!).

Anyway, hope you don't mind me sharing the pics - and do pay a visit to Mary Jane's Tearoom if you like all things pretty!

Back soon,

Kim x 

Catch a fallin' star!

Hello all - how's your weekend going? Hope you've enjoyed it up to now!  Just all the usual jobs for me - but I'm determined to squeeze in some crafting time today as well.  I've been busy knitting in an evening just lately - and been quite enjoying it!  I think winter evenings are designed for craft projects lol.  I'll share the results of my efforts with you soon - I'm nearly finished!  I'd crocheted a small throw for my daughter - she wanted one for her bed.  But then thought I'd try some knitting as I haven't really done any for a while.

Anyway, I promise I won't do a long waffling post today!  I thought I'd try something different today so I made a centre stepper card - following instructions from lovely blogger Sue Bearhouse and I've used a Tilda stamp that needed to see some ink (I think I've only used it once or twice - and it's so nice to colour!)

I've coloured Tilda with copics and added some Stickles

The papers are from LOTV, as are the sentiment tags. I've added some stitching, a doily flower from DooHickey with a pearl brad centre. The star flourish is from Joanna Sheen, and there is a 'precious heart' from Memory Box.

Hope you like it! 

And I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

Tilda's Town - anything goes

Magnolia-licious Challenge - celebrations

SpeedyFox & Friends - centre stepper card

Just Us Girls - colour challenge

Brown Sugar - anything goes

Moving along with the times - girly cards

A fairy to brighten a January Day!

Good morning all and hope that your week has been a good one - and that you have something nice ahead for the weekend (even if it's just to relax a bit!). Just a quick post from me with no lingering waffle (you'll be pleased to know!) - to tell you there is a great new challenge over at CraftyCatz!  And this week our lovely Anna has challenged us to use a 'Fairy' to give us something magical through the dark days of January!

I've used 'On tiptoes' from LOTV, coloured with copics and some Stickles on the wings.

The papers are from LOTV.  I've used Joanna Sheen dies for the leaves, butterfly and dragonfly and Tonic punch for the flowers.  Some lace from stash and some pearl drops to finish off. 

Do have a look at the gorgeous fairies that the Design Team have produced over at CraftyCatz and then join us with your magical creations.

Back soon,

Kim x 

For a rugby fan!

Hello all and I hope that your week has been going well? I'm not sure where the days vanish to sometimes, they just fly by!  Thank you for all your lovely comments on my creations - and about our forthcoming French visitor lol!  We've managed to get my son's room thoroughly tidied (and he's under a severe threat of violence not to get it messed up again!) so just a few more bits to do!

A colleague asked if I could make an 18th birthday card for her son who loves his rugby - so I came up with this!

The digi stamp is from Just Inklined and I've coloured it with copics and promarkers.  

I've used coredinations card with some stitching for the background and a sentiment printed on the computer. The charm and ribbon are from stash.  I've added some die cut stars using the Joanna Sheen starry flourish (but cut up!).

Thankfully my colleague was very pleased with the result - which is what matters!  I just hope her son likes it too! 

Apologies for not getting round to visit in Blogland - and I will make an effort over the next couple of evenings to try and get round to see all your lovely creations! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

Cardz 4 guyz - birthday

Bunny Zoes - stitching

Crazy Challenge - cards for men

Dream Valley challenge - boys/men

Fairy for a Friend!

Hello all and I hope your weekend has been going well?
I'm not sure why I do it.  Why do I let myself in for these things?  Our son Jack is doing a French exchange through school and we have a French boy coming to stay with us for a week in a couple of weeks' time.  The only thing is we have no spare room. So we're going to have to 'house' him in my son's room (who will sleep downstairs for the week!).  I'm already fretting because I've no idea what he's like, what he'll like to eat, etc., and because my French is rubbish (and hubby's is not much better!) I'll be relying on son and daughter to communicate with the poor boy.  I'd hate to think that he was hungry/cold/scared/etc! And now after all the chaos of Christmas has just calmed down, we'll start on Operation Decontaminate.  That means that son's bedroom is going to have to be thoroughly cleaned and tidied out! Oh dear.  I (rather foolishly) thought that once he'd grown out of playing with toy cars, lego bricks, etc., that his room (which is the smallest bedroom!) would stay a bit tidier.  Oh silly, naive me!  Instead, as any current owner of a 15 year old will know, it is now filled to capacity with all manner of electronic gadgetry, computer, monitor, tv, games console, etc.  And the floor is constantly littered with enough electric cabling and chargers for the Western World (or so it seems to me!).  Add to that a fair smattering of bowls, plates, glasses - and currently a guitar and keyboard - it always amazes me that he can find his bed.  I do make a token effort most days to make his bed (stepping carefully over all the chargers, etc.) but as I have pointed out to him, I am his mother - not his maid! Sigh. So wish me luck - and apologies for the long waffle and moan!

It was one of my best friend's birthday this week and I thought I'd share the card I'd made for her (now that she's got it!)

I've used one of the gorgeous fairy images from Mo's Digital Pencil and coloured it with copics and Graph-its, with some added glossy accents and glamour dust

The backing papers are from LOTV, as is the sentiment stamp and the Friendship recipe stamp on the tag. I've added some stitching and the flower is a Spellbinders blossom die and there is a Joanna Sheen signature die used for the corner, with some little pearls from stash. Some ribbon on the tag is also from Joanna Sheen.

And thankfully my friend liked it, which is the main thing. Hope you like it too, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend whatever you have planned.

Back soon,

Kim  x

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

Allsorts - ribbon but no bows

SisterAct - anything goes

CraftyCalendar - lets celebrate

Patties creations - stitching

Mo's Digital challenge - flowers

Charisma Cardz - birthdays

Addicted to stamps - colouring

Crafting by design - birthdays

Pretty in Pink

Good morning all and I hope that you've had a good week - and it's nearly the weekend! Yippee! And thankfully it looks as though we're getting a little bit of a respite from all the wind and rain, at last!
And because it's Friday, it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz!  This week our lovely Aunty Sue has challenged us with the theme 'Pretty in Pink'!  Our sponsors this week are Crimson Cloud and Fred She Said, and I've used a digi stamp from FredSheSaid for my card

Isn't she a cutie?  I've coloured her with copics and the backing papers are from HunkyDory

I've used a flower die from Marianne and the leaf die is from Joanna Sheen, with some added pearly centres from WOC.  The 'lacey' edge is also from a Joanna Sheen die.  The sentiment is from LOTV - I love that 'Just to say' message, as sometimes you need a card for a friend, not for a specific occasion but to pass a message or a hug on! 

So do have a look at the fantastic 'pink' inspiration from the lovely DT at CraftyCatz and then join us with your own creations. 

Back soon,

Kim x 

And another Thank You!

Hello all and I hope that your week has started well?  And I do hope that you're not too badly affected by the weather, either here in the UK or for all those poor souls facing such freezing conditions in the US.  It was back to work for me yesterday at school - but a staff day - and then all the boys arrived back today!  It's never a nice job having to drag my son out of bed (sometimes with threats of cold, wet flannels or crowbars) - but he did quite well this morning.  Not sure it'll continue long though!  He's not what you would call a morning person (understatement there!).  Mind you, I think we probably all find it difficult to get up in the morning when it's so dark - it'll be so nice once it starts to get light again! Roll on Spring!

A quick card to share with you today, and another 'Thank You' card.  I needed a few of these for friends (following Christmas and birthday lol!) and I've quite enjoyed making these. I've used a Bugaboo digi stamp

I've coloured the image with promarkers and used some glossy accents on the ladybird (although I don't think it shows up!)

The backing paper is from LOTV with some added stitching. The spotty ribbon is from Joanna Sheen, with a Marianne die cut and a button from stash. 

One crafty item I did treat myself too over Christmas was a WRMK envelope maker, so it's nice to make some patterned envelopes to go with special cards!  I must remember to take some pics of those too lol! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

Clear it out - Thank You + button

Creative Craft Challenge - anything goes

LEJ Designs - anything goes

Pink Elephant Challenge - Thank You

Wishing for Spring!

Hello all and I hope that you've been having a good weekend?  And I hope that you've not been affected by the terrible weather that seems to have been plaguing many of us in the UK - and the vicious snow storms in the US!  We've had some gale force winds and my garden is looking particularly battered, not to mention my poor greenhouse which is now minus three panels in the roof!  Thankfully we managed to retrieve them from round the garden (and in next door's garden lol!) but 'im indoors' who's in charge of maintenance (i.e. doing heavy duty jobs that I don't like doing!) hasn't been able to fit them back on yet! I'm just hoping that our house roof is intact!

And now we've taken all our Christmas decorations down at home it seems a bit grey and dark - I just love my white fairy lights (but no twinkling ones - I'd have a constant migraine lol!). So with all the grey skies and miserable weather, I thought I'd share a card with a more Spring-like feel just to brighten things up!

I've used a gorgeous Sarah Kay stamp 'Spring Blossoms' and coloured her with copics. 

The backing papers are from LOTV, and the flowers from Wild Orchid. The leaf die cuts are from Joanna Sheen signature die range and I've used the Spellbinders floral oval (which I'm friends with again now after buying some waxed paper - this has dramatically reduced the bad language and tantrums when using finely detailed dies lol!).

And I decided to make a gatefold card for a change (even though it's still 6" square!)

 The sentiment is from LOTV and the lace edging is from my stash! 

I don't usually make any New Year Resolutions - my willpower is not the strongest! - but I think if I make a crafting one it will be that I use my stamps and stash a bit more. Some of my poor stamps have barely seen the light of day! 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.  I've just got the usual jobs to do and then I'm back at work tomorrow. 

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

Allsorts - free and easy

Colour Me Creative - anything goes

SisterAct Card Challenge - anything goes

Crafting by designs - anything goes

Happy New Year! And Thank You!

Hello all out there in Blogland - and can I wish you all a happy, healthy and peaceful 2014. Huge apologies for being 'Missing' for the last week but we just seem to have been so busy, visiting family, having family visiting us, etc.  And I've eaten far more than is good for me - I think I need to go on a salad/fruit/water regime for a few weeks (although I seriously doubt that it'll happen....!).

And thank you all for the lovely birthday wishes!  It was my 50th birthday on New Year's Eve - so we had a bit of a party at home with about 15-20 friends to help me mark the occasion!

And the good news is that CraftyCatz challenge is back after a little break over Christmas - and the challenge this week, chosen by our lovely Janette, is 'Thank You'.  We're sponsored by the fabulous Bugaboo digi stamps and I've used one of their images for my card

The image has been coloured with copics and promarkers, and the backing papers are from LOTV.

I've added some stitching, some spotty ribbon from Joanna Sheen and a DooHickey doiley flower die cut. So quite a simple card, but I do like the image and think I'll be making a few of these for friends to thank them for my birthday pressies!  So do pop over to the CraftyCatz Challenge and join us for our first challenge of 2014!

I hope all of you experiencing the awful weather we've been having are keeping safe and warm.

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

CRAFT - anything goes

Moving along with the times - thank you

Add a little dazzle - stitching

CraftyCreations - anything goes

PaperPrettiesWednesdayChallenge - thank you