Keeping Busy!

 Well, it seems to be busy all the time. I'm not sure that anyone warned me that retirement means that you seem to be occupied all the time - or perhaps that's just me?  I've been working on a variety of design team samples for Hunkydory Crafts, crocheting, etc. And now that we are (gradually) approaching spring, I'm finding more and more to do in my little garden. OH isn't too keen on gardening - but is good at providing mugs of tea ha! Yesterday I was busy painting the little walls of the raised beds, etc., and was definitely aching yesterday evening. 

Anyway, I thought I would come on to share my design team samples for the latest release from Hunkydory Crafts of layering masks.  I really love my layering masks and stencils, and these really are fab. 

The samples I'm sharing today are for the Flowers in Bloom set of layered masks. I've used these in different colourways and they all looked great

They would work great on their own with a sentiment, or as a background for another image. 

The conservatory windowsills and greenhouse are now gradually filling up with seed trays - and I am SO looking forward to the clocks changing next month. We've had a couple of days of dry, cold bright sunshine, but I'm afraid we're forecast yet more rain tomorrow 😞 But I'm just about to start on a cross stitch 'commission' project, so that will keep me occupied. I don't usually take commissions on cross stitch (usually just for cards or crochet), but this was specially requested! 

Back soon with some more layered mask samples,

Take care,

Kim x

Nice to be back!

Well, thank you for the welcome back into Blogland, although on my first quick browse around, it does seem a bit quieter. But it's always nice to read people's crafting blogs and updates, and it's how I often found out about new products or techniques to try. The crafting community can be very supportive.  I'll keep trying to find some new blogs to follow - so if you find me and I'm not already following you, just let me know! 

Just on a quick post today to share a recently finished cross stitch picture. During last year I rediscovered my cross stitch mojo (it had been missing for a while), and I've enjoyed reviving a subscription to Cross Stitcher magazine and both finishing off some cross stitch and doing a couple of new ones. 

A good friend and colleague was moving on from school (when I was still at work last year!), and I wanted to make a personal gift for her. As she is also a fellow crafter, I thought she might like this 

The pattern was from a Helen Phillips book and was so nice to do

And this gorgeous fox was my most recently completed project! It was supposed to be for Autumn, but work and other projects sort of got in the way. But it's such an adorable image. I'm now keen to do the 'Winter' image from CrossStitcher in the same series, but I think I may be starting another cross stitch commission shortly, so it had better wait ha! 

Anyway, I'll be back again soon with some more card makes! Even though I've now retired, there's still so much to keep me busy! 

And yes, we've still got little Ruby with us :) She's going to be 8 years old in June but still behaves like a rather naughty puppy at times. I blame the parents.... haha! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

 

Is anyone still out there in Blogland?

Well.  It's been a VERY long time since I last ventured into my little corner of Blogland and I'm not sure who still lives around here! I use my Instagram very regularly, but I've sadly neglected this little blog and now I'm not sure if any people still live in Blogland.  I did ask on Instagram a few weeks ago if anyone still blogs regularly, and had a mixed response, but I thought I'd give it a try for a while and see what happens. 

Thankfully, I now have a little more time available for crafting (& blogging!), since taking early retirement in December.  However, as many people had warned me, my days seem to mysteriously fill with so many things to do! How odd! But I'm loving the sense of freedom - no timetables, deadlines or restrictions - and the opportunity to potter about with all the things I enjoy - or not, as the mood takes me haha! 

But I'm still crafting a lot, and there are always crochet, cross stitch or cardmaking projects on the go. I'm happy to still be on the design team for Hunkydory Crafts and their 'For the Love of Stamps' design team, to help make samples with all their new releases of stamps, etc. 

With this in mind, they have released a new set of stamps and co-ordinating masks and dies today and I had great fun making some samples. In fact, I got a bit carried away and made quite a lot! The Cute & Cuddly Spring collection really is adorably cute and I will share some over the next couple of posts. 

This card was coloured with alcohol pens, and uses the fence stamp that is part of the set

I've masked the lamb and added the two bigger sheep to make a 'new baby' card - coloured with pencils

These little sheep are just so cute! The stencil frame is also part of the new release and works perfectly for all springtime cards.

Right, I'll go for a little browse around Blogland and see who is still around!

If you call by, please leave a comment so that I know who is about.

Back soon, 

Kim x