Thursday 23 July 2020

Flowers for you

It has been a relaxed but quite productive week since we finished school for summer. Although I say 'finished', I do actually work some days over the holidays and I'll be back in for a couple of days in a week or so. But after all the disruption and 'weirdness' of school/work over the last few months, it really was nice to switch the work phone and laptop off and determine that I wouldn't keep checking my emails - a break was definitely needed!

I wanted to share a card today made with a cute LOTV digi stamp - these mice are just so sweet!


The image is coloured with copics and pencils
and the papers are from old LOTV stash.
The sentiment stamp is also from LOTV.
I've added a bit of stitching and some die cut flowers - and it makes a cheerful greeting card! 


As I mentioned, I have been quite productive this week! I decided to get busy in tidying up our conservatory - it's probably my favourite room in the house, in use every day, and even if it's grey and rainy (like it has been for most of the day today!), it still seems bright and welcoming in there. And it's nice to look out onto the garden - especially if we can't sit outside! And it's definitely my favourite place for a morning mug of tea, sat with the dog or to relax with my crocheting. But I felt it was looking a bit tired, so I got some chalk paint and revamped a cupboard and storage box in there and then moved some furniture around. It's amazing how a bit of re-jigging and upcycling can perk things up! I love the matt effect of the chalk paint - so I'm looking round for the next project....haha!


Thanks for joining me in my little corner of Blogland! 
Back soon,
Kim x 

Friday 17 July 2020

Just for Ewe! Meet Rosie the Romney

We think she looks like a Romney breed of sheep, with that soft, curly ivory wool!

I've been busy with the needle felting again - and Rosie appeared! Made with a mix of Swaledale, White Jacob, Merino and Teeswater curly locks!  I must admit that it's lovely working with these soft, natural fibres.

She stands about 6cm tall from toe to curly top knot - and about 6.5cm from that little nose to her tail! 

She's posing here with Hetty the Herdwick.

She's now made her way into my Etsy shop - and I'm hoping someone likes her as much as I do! 


Back soon! 
Kim x 




Wednesday 15 July 2020

Birthday - in stitches!

Thank goodness we've reached this afternoon - the end of the weirdest of school years for me! It's our end of term today and it's been a frantically busy few weeks preparing everything ready for a start of term in September when we have all students back in school - although with all sorts of restrictions and guidelines in place.  With quite a large sigh of relief this afternoon, I turned off my work phone and laptop and closed the door on my 'home office' (i.e. the desk in my son's room as he is still in Glasgow where he is at Uni!). 

A slightly different sort of card to share with you today - made for my daughter's fiance's birthday. Male cards can sometimes be a bit tricky, but I'm hoping this worked ok!

I've used a variety of scrapbook papers, cut at random angles. I don't really 'do' random - it's harder than it looks haha!  I then added some zigzag stitching with the sewing machine, using a thicker top stitch thread.

I used the Hunkydory Moonstone 'Birthday' die - cut twice to give a shadow effect - and added a cute wooden star button for the "dot" on the i 

Quite simple, but I was pleased with the finished effect. 

Well, I'm hoping for a couple of weeks of chill time before I head back into the office.
Back soon,
Kim x 



Friday 10 July 2020

Tilda in pink!

Thank goodness it's Friday! It's been a busy week, lots of work and prep before the end of term and getting ready for a full school reopening in September - albeit with a very different feel to how things will be!

Anyway, it's now chance to share another card with you, and another made with one of my old rubber stamps


I've stamped up one of my old Tilda stamps from Magnolia, and coloured her with my favourite combination of copics and pencils - but with a bit of extra sparkle (Stickles!) for her crown, wand and stars!


The papers are from Kanban and LOTV. I've added a die cut banner, cut twice to add the 'shadow' 
The sentiment is from LOTV on a banner die cut (from Hunkydory)


Hope you like it! 

After all the rain over the last week or so (when does it stop being good for the garden?), I'm hoping it's a bit brighter this weekend so that I can potter in the garden. Everything is growing like triffids, so I really feel that I need to try and get control a bit! 
And also perhaps add in a bit of cardmaking! 

Back soon,
Kim x



Sunday 5 July 2020

Gathering apples

In an effort to get out some of my older rubber stamps, I decided to stamp and colour up this gorgeous Sarah Kay stamp. Like all the images in the range, she is so cute!

I've coloured the stamped image with my favourite combination of copics and pencils
  

The papers are a few from my stash of LOTV papers. I do wish they would start selling these again! I miss them so much! 

I've added a DooHickey die cut tag, the sentiment stamp is from Hunkydory, and some punched flowers. 

Hope you like it! 

And I hope you're having a relaxing weekend. We've just been doing the usual pottering at home - I know that pubs and restaurants have opened but I'm afraid that we'll still be staying at home for a little bit longer! 

Take care,
Kim x





Thursday 2 July 2020

Tilda in Green

Hello all and I hope that your week has been going well. A bit grey, damp and overcast for a June/July week here really, but I suppose it's good for the garden! But at least it's good for some afternoon time spent with the colouring and papers.

I decided to dig out some rubber stamps for a change. If I use stamps these days it tends to be digi stamps, but there is something rather satisfying about getting rubber stamps and ink pads out. So today's card features one of my old Magnolia stamps (I've only got a few!). I think it's supposed to be a Christmas one but I think it's quite a nice one for any time of year.


I've coloured the stamped image with copics and pencils


The papers are from LOTV (my dwindling stash!) and the sentiment stamp is also from LOTV. I've used a Spellbinders die for the frame and a Memory box die set for the hanging hearts

She's quite a cutie! It's unusual for me to use green, but I think it works quite well.

And talking of green and the garden, we had a busy few days painting trellis (what a godawful job that is!) and putting it up, and then OH made an arch for the little path down to the pond - I'm really pleased with it. I think he's done a great job! 



Back soon,
Kim x



Sunday 28 June 2020

Two Bunnies - double the joy!

Well, I shouldn't have said anything about hot weather. Today has been a complete wash-out, with very heavy showers, constant drizzle and very gusty winds. My little garden has been taking a battering and is looking a bit bruised! Ah well, I suppose at least it saves me a watering job later.

But it's been a good excuse to take a mug of tea up to my crafty space and settle down with some music on in the background, and a selection of stamps, pretty papers and lots of copics, pens and pencils.  I've even had the 'proper' rubber stamps and ink pads out! haha!

Today's gatefold card is using a cute pair of bunny digi stamps from LOTV.


I've coloured the stamps with copics and pencils, and a touch of Prism ink pads around the edge


The papers are from LOTV and my stash, with some die cut flowers (Moonstone dies from Hunkydory) and leaves (Joanna Sheen) and a stamped sentiment (LOTV)


The inside sentiment is a stamp from Hunkydory, with a heart die and some added lace.
I added a ribbon tie - and I'm quite pleased with the finished result. I wanted a fairly "flat" card as it needs to be posted and I didn't want any squashed incidents! 


Hope you like it! 
Back soon,
Kim 




Friday 26 June 2020

Sunshine summertime!

Phew, it's definitely been warm and sunny weather the last couple of days! I don't mind the heat, but the humidity is a bit much - and my hayfever has been horrible. It doesn't usually get too bad these days (even though I was plagued with it when I was younger), but I think the pollen count is soaring at the moment. It doesn't put me off gardening and growing things though!

Just sharing another birthday card today


I used one of my old Cuttlebug embossing folders for this one. The pretty, flowery paper is from 'Window to the Heart' paper pad from Hunkydory and it has a lovely shimmer to the paper (which sadly doesn't show up on the pics!)


The sentiment die is from the fabulous 'on the edge' set of Moonstone dies from Hunkydory - and I've used these so much! I've added some pearl drops to the flower centres and a ribbon & bow.  Simple but quite pretty.

I'm hoping it's a bit cooler tomorrow and then I can get back in the crafty space - it's been a bit too warm in there over the last few days! 

Back soon,
Kim 


Tuesday 23 June 2020

Lots of birthdays arriving...!

It's strange how we seem to have certain months of the year when there are a lot of birthdays - and other months are a lot quieter. I'm not quite sure why, but I do know that July is quite a busy Birthday month for us, with family, friends and colleagues at work.

I decided that my little craft space needed a tidy up and a sort out, and then of course, I had to stop and do a bit of crafting!  

This pad of 12x12 paper has been sat for a while, with only one or two sheets used. I'm not sure why, as it has lovely patterns and colours - quite muted shades, but very pretty. It's by The Paper Boutique, with a coordinating pack of plain colours, that I bought a while ago from Hunkydory Crafts. 

I decided on a gatefold style card, with the fabulous 'birthday' word die from Moonstone dies at Hunkydory.  I was lucky enough to work with these dies as part of a new launch of stamps and dies quite a few months ago, and these sets are just fabulous and I've used them so much!  

Inside the card is also decorated with the same paper, with a plain panel for the greeting.

Quite a simple card design, but I think the papers and word die work pretty well. So another card completed for the box - ready for all the upcoming birthdays! 

Hope you like it,
Back soon,
Kim 



Saturday 20 June 2020

The 'Isolation/Lockdown Blanket'

The "Isolation/Lockdown Blanket" is finished - Ta-Dah!



I ordered the yarn for this when the lockdown started from Wool Warehouse, and I've really enjoyed doing it (not that we actually NEEDED another crochet blanket!). It's crocheted in Stylecraft dk yarn, so it's very soft and snuggly (and easily washable). It's a single bed sized blanket, so plenty big enough to cuddle into when the weather is a bit on the chilly side!



In between the other crafty projects (cards, learning to needlefelt, etc.) and the ongoing 'try to control the garden' campaign, it's kept me busy. I've decided that I'm incapable of sitting in the evening, watching TV, without something to do!



I love the soft vintage-style colours, and the blanket pattern (from Attic24) is reversible.

Right - what's the next project...?

Thanks for looking,
back soon,
Kim x

Thursday 18 June 2020

Busy sewing - let's make pretty face masks!

The sewing machine has been out today, and some of my stash of fabric. I've got a couple of appointments coming up very shortly where I'm required to wear a face mask, so I thought that if I've got to wear one, it might as well be made of pretty fabric! I suspect that face masks will be compulsory in many situations for a while to come, so it was about time I started sewing.




 I'm quite pleased with my design! Fine cotton, fully lined with a thin coated "wire" stitched into the top seam so that it can be shaped around the bridge of the nose. I'm now making a couple for family - but need to wait for delivery of more elastic!
If you'd like one making, just let me know - donations to our local animal & wildlife rescue!


Back soon,
Kim x

Monday 15 June 2020

A bit of LOTV cardmaking

Well, a very warm start to the week - although it definitely feels as though a thunderstorm is brewing! We heard some thunder earlier but it seems to have moved off. The garden would quite like a downpour though (and it would save me some watering jobs!).

I thought I'd share a card that I made a little while ago (but didn't put on my blog) using one of my old LOTV digi stamps


She's such a sweet little fairy! I've coloured the image with copics and some add glittery Stickles on the wings 


The backing papers are from Hunkydory and the die cut flower are using Hunkydory Moonstone dies. I've added a Tonic punched edge and a DooHickey fence die

Hope you like it! 

And I thought I'd share a couple of pics of the rather green visitors that were sat in and around our little pond this afternoon - obviously keeping cool! I know not everyone likes frogs, but we love them!  (And the pond gets full of tadpoles every year!)



Hope your week goes well
Stay safe,
Kim x 


Friday 12 June 2020

Keep learning and trying...meet Rupert!

I can't believe it's Friday again. This strange sort of suspended animation that we seem to be in, alongside working from home, means that the days often seem to blur a bit! I'm not sure when I'll be back fully working in school - and I'm hugely grateful for the fact that I've got lots of hobbies and a garden. I can't say that I've ever felt bored or at a loss for what to do during the lockdown and with extra time at home - thank goodness.  It's more a case of deciding what to do next. 

I'm still on the quest of 'teach yourself needle felting' and decided to have a go at making another little 3D animal - and I'm hoping that you can identify what it is haha! 

Rupert the Rabbit has been made with brown Shetland wool, with some cream Merino and a tiny bit of black Corriedale for the face details



I made up my own 'pattern' shapes, just playing and learning really. As I said, if I can make them recognisable, then I'm not doing too badly!

He's quite cute really - although I think he actually looks better in real life than on the pics! 

I'm not sure what's next on the list of animals to try and make, but I'll keep you updated.

Thanks for looking,
back soon,
Kim 




Wednesday 10 June 2020

Busy Cardmaking - A special anniversary and a new arrival!

Alongside all the crocheting, learning felting, gardening and other activities, there has still been some cardmaking going on!  A little while ago, I made a cute baby card using one of the delightful digi stamps from LOTV 


I've coloured the image with copics. The sentiment stamp is also from LOTV. I've used a card shape die (which I think is from Tattered Lace!), together with some of my remaining stash of LOTV papers.


Baby cards are always really sweet to make.

And last week, it was the Silver Wedding Anniversary of two of our good friends & very special people - and I was asked by Mrs T if I would make a card for her husband! She sent me a couple of photos from their wedding and so I made a large card (A4 size), with a sort of 'scrapbook page' layout, adding various sentiments and flowers (to reflect the bouquet). 


The cute sentiment ticket stamps and dies are from Whimsy and a couple of LOTV stamps added in.  The dies for the leaves and photo 'frames' are from Hunkydory, as is the card background.
I think they liked it! 

Anyway, I'm heading back to the craft room soon to try a bit more felting.... I'm determined to get the hang of it! 

Back soon,
Kim x 

 

Saturday 6 June 2020

Meet Hetty the Herdwick!

Well, as promised, a post with pics of my finished 1st attempt at a 3D felted animal! Please meet Hetty the Herdwick Sheep!


It's been a very enjoyable learning curve, making a needle-felted animal, and I must admit that I'm quite smitten with her. I know her face isn't perfect (don't examine it too closely!), and that she is in need of a short back and sides haircut (a sheep version of lockdown hair?), but she is very cute! I got a bit carried away adding the curly locks (so she looks a bit chunky), and she stands about 7 or 8cm tall. 


The felting wool and pattern were from Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts and were lovely to work with - and there are also some great instructional videos on YouTube.  Although obviously (like all crafts), it's something that requires practice, it definitely got a bit easier and made more sense as I went along, getting a feel for the wool, how to use the needle, etc. It's been really nice to try a new crafty hobby (not that I really need any more crafting hobbies!), and I'm just debating what felted animal to try next.


Hope you quite like Hetty too! 

Thanks for looking,
Back soon,
Kim x 




Friday 5 June 2020

Learning something new!

Despite all my good intentions at the start of the lockdown to spend my spare time productively (when I'm not working at home!), I must admit that I don't seem to have progressed much! I'm not sure about everyone else, but my concentration level for crafting isn't as good as it usually is, and the mojo is definitely a bit hit and miss! My go-to activities are card-making, crocheting and baking - but due to lockdown restrictions (and only husband and I at home - no offspring or visitors), I've tried to limit the baking otherwise we'll be like barrels!

However, one thing I have started to teach myself is felting.  I bought a little kit (quite a long time ago - embarrassingly) and it's been sat waiting for me to (a) have time to do it, and (b) be brave enough to make a start and learn something new!  So, I decided to be brave and have a go - and, do you know what, I've really enjoyed it! The kit was for a felt picture (to be made into an ipad case if wanted), so I made a start.  It's all very much a learning curve at the  moment - but like all good crafts, we should keep learning and practising!





These were the first few attempts! I've got to admit that it's very therapeutic stabbing something with a very sharp needle haha!  Anyway, I think I've now found yet another craft that I'm really enjoying doing. So I treated myself to a little kit from the lovely Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts, to make a 3D figure of a sheep. It's been a challenge to learn to felt 3D shapes - to get both the right shape and firmness - but it's great to do. This is the progress bits so far - a body, head and legs


I'm not sure what the finished sheep will look like - if it's vaguely recognisable, I'll share pics on here!

But it's been good to branch out and try something different - although I'm not quite sure where I'm going to store all the new stash....

Thanks for looking,
Back soon,
Kim