End of October already!

I'm not quite sure where October disappeared to. One minute it was September and suddenly tonight it's Halloween! I'm happy to say that I'm currently on our half term break, and despite my best intentions to chill and relax, I always seem to end up busier than ever. But I'm world class level in "pottering" and can quite happily fill my days with all sorts of little jobs or catch up on hobbies. And there are never enough hours in a day.

I had a lovely few days with my daughter Lauren in Cambridge.  Although we helped her and her boyfriend Tom move there in the summer, I didn't get chance to see the city. And what a beautiful city it is! We had a lovely time looking round the stunning architecture and the colleges, combined with the compulsory coffees & meals out! Lots of walking, but a fantastic time!

Anyway, I thought I'd share another Christmas card made with another LOTV stamp

I've coloured the image with copics and pencils- such a cutie! 

The papers and sentiment stamp are also from LOTV 

I've added a die cut poinsettia for a christmassy extra! 

I'm hoping to get a couple more made this week (in between the other jobs!) And before our son comes home for the weekend from uni - his first visit home since he started early in September! 

But here's a couple of pics from Cambridge with daughter! 

Thanks for looking

Back soon, 

Kim x

Just so cute!

Hello all, back again with a card to share - but not a Christmas card this time!
I'm so looking forward to our half term break - it's always a long and busy term from September! And I'm going to enjoy having a couple of days visiting my daughter in Cambridge- wish some kind autumnal weather for us! And last weekend I enjoyed a day in Glasgow visiting youngest! I can relax a little bit now that I've seen how well he's settled in - he loves his course at Glasgow School of Art, loves his flatmates in the halls of residence, and loves Glasgow!

Anyway, the card to share this time is made again with a super cute digi stamp from LOTV "close your eyes"

Aren't they an adorable pair! I've coloured the image with the usual mix of copics and pencil

The papers are from LOTV with some die cut additions! The sentiment stamp and die is from Whimsy. 

Hope you like it!

And speaking of cute, we had another little cute visitor at school last week, but one that shouldn't have been about during the day- a little hedgehog! So one of our maintenance guys retrieved it, and I took it home. After weighing and feeding It was despatched to the local hedgehog rescue and is apparently doing Ok! We feed the hedgehogs in our garden every night - I'll get a reputation as the hedgehog whisperer lol! 

Back soon! 

Kim x 

It's been too long!

I can't believe that it's been nearly a month since the last blog post! Shame on me! But I have still been busy crafting, but finding it easier (& quicker!) to post pics of my creations on my Facebook page and on Instagram - so if you use either of those social media 'thingys', please have a look and follow me there too!

I've been enjoying using some of the digi stamps from LOTV - well, I always loved their rubber stamps, so I suppose it was only natural that I'd love the digi stamps too!  And I keep trying to make a few Christmas cards. I don't usually make dozens as I like to make them all different and unique, and they take me a bit too long! But it's always nice to make handmade ones for close family and friends - they're more like a little gift.  If I end up with a stall at a Christmas craft fair again, there'll probably be a few on sale too. And I sometimes make a few to sell to order - it's lovely to know that people like my cards enough to want to buy them!

This latest one was a bit of a change for me, using an 8" x 8" card (as I so often use 6" square cards!)

As I'd sold a few unused craft things on a Facebook site, I treated myself to a large Tonic die set - this was a first attempt with it! I coloured the image with the usual mix of copics and pencil, with a touch of glitter

The papers are from stash (Dovecraft ones I think?).  I added a die cut poinsettia and bells, and the sentiment stamp is also from LOTV. 

He's such a cute little character! 

Hope you like it! 

And we've had a day of heavy, persistent rain, which is easing off with occasional flashes of sunshine - and we had a lovely 'double' rainbow at the back of the house an hour ago! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

And another Christmas card!

Coming to the end of yet another busy week - and I'm so pleased it's Friday tomorrow - Yay!
Thank you for your comments on the latest blanket and I'm pleased to say that it is now safely installed in my son's new room in the student halls in Glasgow!  We moved him up there last Saturday, and he seems to have thoroughly embraced student life!  He starts his degree course in Fine Art Photography at Glasgow School of Art next week, and has been busy with freshers week social activities - no surprise there! And husband and I are adjusting to life in the house with just us - but we've still got Ruby the dog and Grumpy Poppy the cat to torment us of course!

Anyway, after a couple of weeks back at work, the long summer holiday seems like a dim and distant memory lol! So I'm hoping that in between the busy time at work and the usual jobs at home, that I may find a little extra time for some crafting. We'll see! But I did make another Christmas card with the oh-so-cute LOTV stamps

I've coloured the image with copics and promarkers, with some pencil mixed in - and some added glitter!

Such a cute image! 

The backing papers and sentiment are also from LOTV and I've used a die cut poinsettia and holly leaves.

Hope you like it! 

Thanks for looking - and enjoy your weekend, whatever you may be doing.

Back soon,
Kim x

New Blanket - TaDah Moment!

I hope that you've had a good week - and a relaxing weekend. Last week marked the end of my holidays, and I started back to work on Thursday. So it's back to alarm wake-ups (which seem incredibly early!) and not the chance for a leisurely cup of tea while I gradually get my brain into gear for the day! Hey ho.

And this week is set to be quite busy as we gather all the stuff together for my son leaving for uni next weekend! I can't believe that it's come around so fast, and it really doesn't seem 5 minutes since he was starting at primary school. This is our last chick to fly the nest, and much as I'm thrilled and excited for him starting on this next phase of his life, it's a bittersweet moment for me. But I also wanted him to take a little bit of home with him as he starts at Glasgow School of Art (wow, what a place - part of me is soooo jealous!) - so I've made him a crochet blanket for those evenings or mornings when he's having a relax or a snooze.  The blankets at home get used for snoozes quite a lot!

I've used the 'Moorland' pack, designed by Lucy at Attic24, from Wool Warehouse.  I decided to follow the 'colour' progression, from the greens and browns of the moors, through the greens, purples and lilacs of the heathers and through to the delicious blues of the skies above the moors.  But I used the cosy pattern for the stripes instead.

The yarn is Stylecraft DK, which is fabulous for blankets!  The finished size is approximately single bed size, and I've added the border design from the 'cupcake' blanket. 

Hope you like it! And thankfully my son does too - just hope he looks after it! I've fallen in love with these colours and have threatened that if he mistreats it, then I'll steal it back lol! Either that or I'll just have to make another one for me! 

Hope that your week ahead proves to be a good one! 

Back soon,

Kim 

It's a C*****mas Card....!

Now I know that any of my non-crafting friends that see this will be somewhat horrified! A Christmas Card - in August! But I know that all my fellow crafters will understand! I didn't want to end up like last year, with a mad rush to try and make just a few handmade cards for close family, etc. With getting a new puppy, etc., last summer, time just seemed to evaporate and so I was determined that I would start a bit earlier this time, and try and get a few cards ready and in the box! It helped when Lili of the Valley did a digi stamp release of new Christmas cuties - so the task could be put off no longer.

I've used the gorgeous 'Christmouse Pudding' for this one

I've coloured the image with a mix of copics, graphits and pencil

The papers, sentiment tags and 'recipe' are also from LOTV, and a die cut poinsettia added! 

Hope you like it! 

I'll keep busy trying to make a few more for the 'box' before I'm back at work next week. It's a shame when work has to intrude on happy crafting time.....

Back soon,

Kim 

Time disappearing fast!

Well, what happened to August? I can't believe that it's all just sped by so fast, but we've had lots of dog walks, family visits- and a bit of crafting squeezed in! I went for a few days with my son to help my daughter & her boyfriend move house from Lewes near Brighton,  to their new home in Cambridge! It was a very busy few days (as you can imagine!) but lovely to see Lauren & Tom settled in their new home. And equally nice to have a bit of time with my son, as we don't get much "mother & son" time together these days! And there'll be even less soon! He got his A level results last week and has got into his first choice uni - he'll be off to Glasgow School of Art to study for a BA in Fine Art (photography)! Needless to say, we are very proud of him & incredibly excited for him- but it's my last 'chick' to fly the nest and I'm going to miss him so much!

Anyway, less of my family waffle! As we had a house-move, I just had to make a "new home" card using a super-cute image from LOTV.

I've coloured the image with copics and graphits and some pencil. 

Papers and sentiment stamp are also from LOTV 

Hope you like it! 

Back soon,

Kim x

Making wishes

Hello all, and a warm welcome to new followers - thanks for taking the time to follow, and I hope you'll enjoy the sharing of crafty makes (& tolerate the waffle!).

We've been experiencing the usual British summer mix of sunshine and showers, but we've managed a few nice days out, as there is a little four-legged beast in the house that needs walkies every day (sunshine or rain!). It's also meant that when the rain has arrived, it's been a good opportunity to get the inks and pencils out and do some colouring - and then spend some time putting cards together! It's nice to have 'rediscovered' the enjoyment in crafting cards again, after a bit of a break for a few months.  But I'm also now lusting after a new set of pencils and have got my beady eye on a fab set of Faber Castell polychromos (when it comes to crafting, I'm not a cheap date lol!). If you use these, I'd love to know how you find them to use (while I'm in the process of saving up for a set!).

Anyway, I've enjoyed playing with a few of the new digi stamps from LOTV that I somehow accidentally bought when I was browsing..... I don't know how that happens!  This little cutie is 'Make a wish' and I think she is just adorable!

I really enjoyed colouring up this sweet image, using my usual mix of copics and pencils (with a little bit of added sparkle)

The sentiment stamps and papers are from LOTV, with a mix of die cut flowers

Hope you like it! 

Thanks for taking the time to visit and please leave a comment to let me know you've called by to my little corner of Blogland! I always try to make return visits! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

Enjoying the holidays!

I can honestly say, I could get used to this 'not at work' business very easily! The sheer bliss of no alarm clock in the morning, and the time and breathing space to think about what to do and where to go - it's just wonderful!  And I am a world class 'potterer' - and can quite happily spend my day doing all sorts of little things. And it is beyond nice to have the time to rediscover things in my craft stash and have a play!

I'm enjoying the digi stamps from LOTV (& may well get tempted by their current digi offer - well, it'd be rude not to!).  This was a recent digi purchase of an older image - but she is such a cutie!

I've coloured the image with copics and pencil, and a fair amount of fine glitter! And this one is in apricot shades - quite a change for me! 

I'm trying to be good about using up some of my stash of papers, and this gorgeous paper is from MME.  The flowers are from WOC and the sentiment stamp from LOTV.

Hope you like it!

For those of you who read an earlier post, our youngest is now back from his European travels after nearly 3 weeks, and the house is once again littered with damp towels, cereal bowls, glasses, etc.! Deep joy!  But it's nice to have him back - and it sounds like they all had a fab time (although I'm sure parents only get the edited version of events).  RubyDoo was soooo excited to see him when he walked through the door, she was nearly doing somersaults! And after the excitement of Wimbledon, she's currently trying to trash every tennis ball that she comes across...

Back soon,

Kim x 

Yet more birthdays!

Well, it's nearly my 'end of term' at work and I am soooo looking forward to having a break! Before working in a school, I was probably one of the many people who thought that things at school gradually wound down towards the end of the school year in summer, with lots of relaxing, chilled activities....  After working at school for nearly 4 years now, I can assure you that it is precisely the opposite! Everything over the last few weeks seems to gain momentum as everybody pedals furiously downhill! The students may well be winding down, but all the staff are racing round like demented bees, trying to get everything completed. And even though many staff are also in work over the holidays (no, staff at schools do not only work 9-3, and have LOTS of holiday!), I think everyone is ready for a lie down in darkened room!

But, aside from the madness of work, the month of many birthdays continues and I'd like to share another one of the birthday cards - this one was for my lovely stepdaughter Lucy!

I've used the gorgeous 'April' from Mo Manning - just love those little wellies! 

I've coloured the image with my usual mix of copics, graphits & pencils. 

The papers and sentiment stamps are from LOTV, with die cuts and lace.

Hope you like it! 

Thank you for the lovely comments, and I'm hoping with a little extra 'relaxation' time, I'll have chance to catch up with more of your lovely blogs. 

Back soon,

Kim x 

Summer birthdays!

July is a busy month for me, birthday-wise. It's my lovely step-daughter Lucy's, then our beautiful daughter Lauren's birthday, not to mention quite a few other friends at home & at work! So I thought I'd share one of the recent cards, using a gorgeous LOTV digi stamp

I've coloured the image with copics and graphits and some pencil, with some added sparkle of course! You can't have a fairy without sparkle! 

The papers are from LOTV with some die cut flowers and gems

The sentiment stamp is also from LOTV. 

Hope you like it! 

Thanks for the recent comments, it feels nice to be back in Blogland after my little break! 

Back soon,

Kim x

Special Friends

I can't believe it's Tuesday already and time flying by so quickly! Thank you for your lovely comments about the recent cards, it's a wonderful therapy to do some crafting and a great way to get some 'time out' from the 'busyness' of everyday life!

Our youngest has arrived in Zagreb in Croatia, and is, as far as we can tell, having a fabulous time - which we expected he would do! After the hustle and bustle of getting all his things ready, it now seems spookily quiet in the house - although there is the ever-bouncy and mischievous Ruby to contend with!  And I had a lovely time this weekend with a special friend who has had a tough time over the last few months and, as she now lives in Scotland, we relished having some time together. Before she left yesterday, I gave her a card I'd made for her

I've used one of the lovely LOTV sentiments, which says it all really.

The backing papers are also from LOTV, with some stitching and extra bits from stash.

And just to catch up, I've added a couple of pics from today of our Rubydoo

(she'll never make a doggy model, it's so hard to get her to pose for a photo - or I'm a rubbish photographer lol!)

 Just one year old now, and full of bounce! 

Hope you have a good week,

Back soon,

Kim x

Summer Showers?

Hello all - Friday again! Woohoo! It's just so busy at work at the moment, that I am so relieved when Friday rolls around. Our school breaks up for summer in 2 weeks, but rather than things gradually slowing down, it feels as though there is a frantic panic to get so much done as the finish line is in sight!  But at least in a couple of weeks there will be chance to take a deep breath & relax - hopefully!  But we've also got a busy weekend ahead - up with a close friend here tomorrow, and then busily getting things ready for our son.  Now he has finished his A Level exams, he sets off on Monday with a group of his friends, travelling by rail across Europe! They fly out to Croatia, then over the next 18 days or so, they travel to Budapest, Prague, Vienna, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, Lyon and Barcelona! How fantastic! I'm so jealous and I know that they'll have a fabulous time - but that doesn't stop me having minor panic attacks when I think about him roaming across Europe (without me!).

Anyway, less waffle about my slightly chaotic life at the moment! I'm sharing another card with you today, made with a little cute character from Mo Manning.

I've coloured the image with copics, graphits and pencil

The backing papers are from LOTV, as is the sentiment tag stamp. The flowers from WOC and the leaves cut using a Joanna Sheen die. 

Hope you like it! 

And I hope you enjoy your weekend ahead, whatever you have planned. And hopefully you'll have a bit more 'quiet time' than me.....

And I've recently set up an Instagram account - even though I'm still not quite sure what I'm doing with it!  But if you want to follow me, or have a look, please click on the tag in the sidebar! 

Back soon,

Kim x

Cute Little Guy!

Thanks for all your lovely comments on my last post (which appeared after a rather long absence!).  I was grateful that so many of you remembered me!  And I'm just getting used to browsing through Blogland again (although I must admit that I browse more on Facebook and Instagram these days - I blame the offspring for getting me addicted to social media lol!).

Anyway, today's card was made using a digi stamp from my other favourite store, Mo's Digital Pencil.  Mo Manning has a knack of capturing the cutest expressions on faces and I couldn't resist this little guy.  And I did make a card with him a while ago - well, the digi stamp is called 'Colin' and as my husband is also a 'Colin' it would've seemed rude not to use him for a birthday card!

I've coloured the image with copics, promarkers and pencil.

The papers are from First Edition and LOTV, the sentiment stamp also from LOTV, with the banner dies from Sue Wilson and a few buttons from stash!

Quite a simple layout for me (no flowers or ribbons!), but I think it works for the image.

Hope you like it! 

Thanks for looking,

Back soon,

Kim x

Long time, no see....

Well, what can I say? I must admit that I probably needed a little break from blogging, the mojo had somewhat deserted me as far as card-making went, time seemed in short supply and I kept looking at my craft stash but feeling distinctly uninspired. I just never expected the "little break" to last quite that long. And I've even had to resort to (shock, horror) buying some cards....!

But I've recently dusted off the stamps, pens, pencils & dies, and started to find the missing mojo a little bit. We have quite a few birthdays approaching so I gave myself a firm talking-to, got lots of pretty papers out and set to. So hopefully over the next few weeks I can share some of the recent makes, and I must admit that I was quite pleased with myself that I'd got quite a few finished cards to photograph!

This one today was made with one of the recent release digi stamps from one of my favourite shops, lili  of the valley!

Aren't they a cute pair? I've coloured the image with copics, promarkers & pencils. 

I'm not too sure about teddy colouring, but I'll keep practising! 

The papers are from LOTV, the sentiment stamp is from Whimsy,  and some die cut flowers & leaves, with pearls to finish! 

Hope you like it! 

And thanks for reading and catching up with me after rather a long absence! 

It's also a special day in our household as Ruby the Beastie Dog is 1 year old today! Always full of mischief and cuddles! 

Back soon!

Kim x 

Birthday Girlie!

I can't believe how fast the last couple of weeks have gone! After new year, we had a few relaxing days of clearing up Christmas (not that relaxing!) and dog walks with the Rascally Ruby! And then .... drum roll .... it was "Back To Work"......  Although I'm not inclined any more to lie-ins (having gone through years of babies, toddlers, school runs, dogs, etc.), it's still always a shock to the system when the alarm starts going off again.  It seems even worse at this time of year when that dratted alarm goes off and it's still pitch black outside! Added to the drain of early starts, is the usual chaos, hustle and bustle of the start of term - school offices at the start of term are a thing to behold! But we're gradually getting back into the pattern of working life again (albeit with an eye on the next holiday!).  But I must try and stick to one of my 'unwritten' resolutions to get busy and make some cards! My crafting efforts have been pretty appalling lately, and although I've blamed lack of free time, Ruby, general winter weariness, I must stop making excuses and actually crack on and get some cards made! I have kept busy with the crocheting, and am currently working on an order for a baby blanket, so I'm not sat about doing nothing!

Anyway, I realised that I hadn't shared this card that I made a while ago - a very special one for our little granddaughter Isabella!

Apologies for the rather rubbish quality of the photo - these winter days really don't lend themselves to any photos! 

I used a LOTV digi stamp, coloured with copics with some added glossy accents (which sadly doesn't show up on the pic!)

The backing paper is from LOTV, as is the sentiment, and I've used Britannia flower dies, Memory Box heart dies and LaLaLand banner die.

Hope you like it! 

And I thought I'd share a couple of pics from one of our new year doggy walks at Glasson Dock (not far from our house) - with a pic of me & Ruby (we have lots of pics of Rubydoo, but pictures of me are as rare as hens' teeth!)

Thanks for looking - and thanks for all the recent comments! 

Back soon,

Kim x