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 

 

Blue Poppy - and thinking of you

 Sunday - and my two weeks off work are drawing very rapidly to a close sadly. It's amazing how time off work seems to pass so much faster (like weekends - gone in a flash!). Thankfully, the weather hasn't been too bad, even if on the chilly side. Sunny days and blue skies have been so wonderful - and plenty of walks out with the Beastie Dog and lots of little gardening jobs done. We've even managed a few mugs of tea sat outside (albeit with a big jumper on!). 

I've got another card to share with you made with the Altenew 'Poppy Garden' stamp set. Just occasionally we need a 'Thinking of you' sort of card - and that is often easier to send (for many occasions) than sympathy cards or similar.

This one was coloured with copic pens in soft lavender shades and I was pleased with how it turned out.  The sentiment stamp is an old one from LOTV.

I decided that a few added pearls was all that it needed. 

Well, I'd better think about getting my stuff ready for tomorrow (sigh) - as I leave the house early (about 7.15am) there's not a lot of time (or mental alertness at that hour) to get things ready in the morning! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

Bright Red Poppies

 Well it's a beautiful sunny morning in our little corner of the world, but still on the chilly side! Roll on summer! I've been out for a quick check round the garden - accompanied by the Beastie Dog of course, who was trying to hoover up any stray bird food! I swear that one day she'll start to grow feathers.

I've been trying to sort personal admin a bit this morning - always a nightmare. I'm not sure why I've got endless patience with any craft or crochet project, but trying to deal with companies/organisations, endless passwords, etc., can drive me potty.  And the irony is that I work as an administrator - but personal and bank admin is a different beast completely! 

Anyway, I'm hoping for a little bit of therapeutic crafting time over the next day or so. 

I'm not sure how it happened (haha!) but the beautiful 'Poppy Garden' stamp set from Altenew sort of fell into my online shopping basket. Well, there's got to be some benefits from working, hasn't there?  I've been playing with watercolours and copics, trying different ways to colour these stunning flower stamps.

This one is coloured with copics and I think it works quite well. I'm not usually one for dramatic colours, but gorgeous red poppies are beautiful

And this was a work in progress with the watercolours, and softer pastel shades. I'm hoping to make this up into a card today

I'd better go and get some more jobs done before I escape to my craft room for a while. I can't believe that my Easter break from school is nearly over and we're back on Monday - how come holiday periods and weekends always speed by so much faster than work days?

Back soon,

Kim x

Girlfriends!

 I hope that you've had chance to enjoy a little crafty time over this Bank Holiday weekend. We've had beautiful blue skies today, but it was SO chilly out there! I had a couple of brief forays into the garden to top up the bird feeders, water things in the greenhouse and deadhead some daffodils - and then stayed in the warm to do a little bit of crafting (before the cooking started!).

I love this stamp from Art Impressions, one of the 'Girlfriends' range of images. This is one I've had for ages - beach babes. Don't they look like they're having a great time? One of my friends and I have said that when we can, we're going to have a very long overdue holiday together (without husbands!). 

One of the most handy things I treated myself too a couple of months ago was a stamping press (a Vaessen one) - and I'm just wondering why I waited so long! It's great to use with larger stamps (like this one), as it's sometimes difficult to get a good 'first image' but impossible to stamp over again - unless you use a stamping press! They're also great for positioning multiple stamps. As I say, I wish I'd bought one earlier! 

Anyway, I've coloured this stamp with copics and promarkers

I love that sentiment stamp from Whimsy too - says it all really! 

And I just thought I'd share a pic of our table for the Easter weekend - complete with an Easter bunny! haha! Even though we didn't have any of the offspring at home over Easter sadly (they all live away and current restrictions make things a bit difficult!), I still like to celebrate different seasons - even if it's just for husband, dog and me! 

Enjoy some crafting time and let's hope that some warmer spring-like weather comes along soon! 

Back soon, 

Kim x 

A Meadow Blanket for Spring!

 It's beautiful sunshine here again today - thank goodness - but definitely on the chilly side. But from inside looking out, it's fab - haha! 

I wanted to make a blanket for a special friend for a 'big' birthday, and decided to join in with the Meadow CAL from Attic24, starting in January this year. Yesterday, we were finally able to meet up (albeit outside for a joint walk & alfresco lunch with our dogs and partners) and swap long overdue Christmas pressies, and I could also gift her the finished blanket! 

Made with Stylecraft SSDK, it's crocheted in a type of 'twisted treble' stitch, that makes for a warm and snuggly blanket with a lovely soft drape

Unfortunately it's not the time of year for a photogenic 'meadow' shot, so I tried a 'garden' photo with the daffodils instead! 

I love the colour shades as they move through the blanket from the flowery/grasses colours, to the soft summer skies shades

But of course, as is always the case in this house, when I try to take any sort of 'arty' photo (in the garden or the house', a certain furry intruder likes to photobomb...

Anyway, please excuse the amount of photos, but I hope you like it! Thankfully, my friend Liz, was delighted with it (which is the main thing) and it will hopefully help to provide some nice 'snuggle down' moments with a mug of tea and a good book in the future! 

I hope you enjoy your Easter/Bank Holiday weekend, however you are spending it. After the first 'social' day in a long while yesterday (with the dog walk, etc.), it's just husband and I - and Beastie Dog - for a relaxing weekend! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

Just to say

 It's so nice to have some spring sunshine. Yesterday and today have felt so good, and it's just the simple but joyful pleasure of being able to sit outside with a mug of tea! And our daughter Lauren's baby is due in just over 3 weeks, so I'm keeping everything crossed that we can visit them as soon as the little one arrives. It's been so difficult missing the pregnancy with her (they live over 200 miles away), and photos and video chats can only help so much! Let's hope for a more positive spring for all of us - it's been a very long, difficult winter!

I've been busy finishing off all those little jobs that get left 'till later' when I'm busy at work, so it feels nice to tick some boxes that I've done them! I've been finishing off some design team samples for Hunkydory (that have just been collected!),  and some happy post arrived yesterday with some stunning stamps and embossing folders made by Altenew.  Of course, I had to have a little play with one of the small flower stamps (that comes with it's own die) - it's so cute, and perfect for adding to a quick card

The sentiment die is from Hunkydory and the banner die is a Sue Wilson one. 

The flower stamp has been coloured with copics and pencils. The backing paper is from Hunkydory.

So just a quick card, but I think it's quite cute! 

I'm off to get some cards ready for an order - and it's lovely to have the time to play in the craft space (although if the spring sunshine continues, the gardening and dog walking may take priority place!)

Back soon,

Kim x

Feels like Spring is on the way

 Woohoo! It was our end of term yesterday for our Easter break, and I am SO ready for some time off. It's been a very busy and intense term so everyone was ready for a much needed break. 

I'm busy making some design team samples for Hunkydory Crafts, and I can't share those just yet (but they are fab stamps!), but I decided to make a few Easter cards in between! I don't make many Easter cards, but I got this cute 'Easter Wishes' die last year from Hunkydory and it was begging to get used again! 

All the cards are using Hunkydory card and toppers that I had in my stash. The dies for the flowers are 'beautiful blossoms' from Moonstone dies at Hunkydory, and I've used them SO much since I got them! 

 

A little bit of spring in the craft space today! 

Hope you like them! 

Back soon,

Kim x

Design Team makes

 Thank goodness it's Friday tomorrow - and it is the end of term for our Easter break. All staff and pupils are tired and ready for a break and let's hope for some brighter weather. The good news is that the clocks change at the weekend onto BST so at least we can look forward to lighter nights and mornings! 

I've carried on over the last few months making design team samples for new release stamps from Hunkydory. It's always a pleasure to receive a parcel of soon-to-be-launched stamps and decide how best I can make projects with them to help inspire others and encourage more crafting!

A recent launch was for these fantastic 'Pocket Sized Puns' - a whole range of cute little stamps and sentiments for all sorts of occasions. Here's a few of my makes -

I love that little owl! So cute! 

Our very spoilt pooch, Ruby, is still keeping us company, making us laugh and generally being a mix of loveable, mischievious, silly and daft!  She sits in the most bizarre and unusual places and positions - we've decided that this recent one is the 'Lockdown Blues' position...

Back soon,

Kim x 

A very long absence

 Well, I'm not sure whether anyone is still out there, but I realised with something of a shock, that it has been SO long since I updated my little corner of Blogland.  Mind you, so many months, but in some ways, we're still in the same position! Nearly a year after the start of the first complete lockdown, we're still in a another lockdown now. It's been a long and difficult time for so many, but still plodding on in our little corner.  But I've also realised that I quite miss adding posts to my little Blog, and it's been like a little diary for me for quite a number of years now - and, looking back, I have found that 'Tilly's Crafts' turned 9 years old last week! 9 years! How did that happen?!*!

However, I'm still crafting and I know many people are either continuing with their crafting or many are new to the joys of making. It's been a saviour for me in stressful times, with chance to focus on something and 'escape' for a while.

One of the new things that I've been trying recently is 'no line' watercolouring and I'm getting very addicted!  I love colouring with the watercolour paints - it's very soothing and relaxing. I treated myself to a Winsor & Newton cotman watercolour half pan set, and it's been great fun playing with the colours and mixing shades. 

The stamps are from Altenew and this set is 'Beautiful Peonies', masked and stamped with Distress Ink 'antique linen' 

My main problem, as always, is finding enough time to do all the crafting things I want to do! When you're still working (especially when it's as busy as it seems to be at the moment!), there never seems to be enough time (or energy) to work on all the projects I'd like to. 

I'm not sure how many are still out there in Blogland but I'm going to try and spend a bit of time exploring. But my Instagram is updated pretty regularly so if you're interested, you can always find me on there (the link is on the side bar!)

Back soon,

Kim x

 

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 

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 

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