Let's see some sparkle!

Hello and I'm back again as it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz!  And this week the challenge is a nice easy one for this time of year - 'Let's see some sparkle'!
We're sponsored this week by

and I've used one of their images for my card

I've coloured the image with promarkers and then added LOTS of Stickles...

I just wish all the glittery bits would show up better on my pics!  I've also added some pearl drops for the snow. 

The glittery green backing paper is from K&Co with some spotty ribbon from Joanna Sheen.  The die cut Christmas trees came from my stash and I've had them so long I've forgotten where I got them!  The cute little silver snowman was 'robbed' from some Christmas decorations.  I've noticed us crafters can never look at things properly - we always look at them and starting calculating how we could use them in our crafting....

So I do hope you'll get carried away with the glitter and join us for some sparkle at CraftyCatz.

Back soon, Kim x 

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

Tuesday Alchemy - anything goes

MyMumsCraftShop - winter wonderland

ThereSheGoes - let it snow

Nativity Time!

Good morning all and hope that you've managed to stay reasonably dry? After my efforts in the garden at the weekend, I now look out and it's like looking over a flood plain! The problem is that our house (&garden) lies in a 'dip' so water all runs down to us - so my little pond is now a considerably bigger pond than it was a few days ago! And all my baby frogs will be finding themselves in flower beds and looking confused! Sigh.

Can I just say a big thank you for all your supportive comments about my card for the Joanna Sheen DT challenge. I'm not too confident as the standard of the final group is incredibly high with some stunning work, but I'm just very pleased to have got through to this stage. We'll just wait and see.

On to today's card. I'm hoping this scheduled post works ok as I know blogger has been playing up a little bit lately - but I'm at work an extra day this week and this was the best way to fit a post in! I've made another Christmas card - using another LOTV stamp! This one is called 'Mary and Joseph'

Now this particular image brought back lots of happy memories of watching the children taking part in various nativity plays at playgroups and primary school - and always so sweet! We had some giggles remembering some of the performances, but one that springs to mind was Jack taking part in one at playgroup when he was 4 years old. As his birthday is September, he was always one of the oldest children taking part in these things, and proudly announced to us that he had been given a role in the Nativity play - "I'm playing the Angel Gabriel - and that means I'm in charge"! Just about sums him up really.....lol!

I coloured the image with promarkers. The papers are from First Edition and GCD. I've added Marianne die cut poinsettias and a Sizzlits snowflake die cut - and there is a lot of Stickles added to various things! The sentiment is from LOTV - love these grungy Christmas ones! And I've added a star brad and some pearls and ribbon from stash. 

Hope you like this cute little card! 

Back soon, Kim x 

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

CraftRoom Challenge - childhood memories

PartyTimeTuesdays - anything goes

Love to Create - anything goes

TheCraftyPad - inspired by a song (Mary's BoyChild !)

CraftyHazelNutsChristmasChallenge - nativity

BearlyMineChallenges - add a sentiment

Waiting for Santa!

Good morning all and hope that your weekend is going well? Thankfully it has started quite bright & sunny here - if a bit chilly! - which is a good job as I have earmarked today as yet another 'get the garden under control' day! My husband is back from his travels and I always feel it's a good idea to dismiss memories of nice hotels, etc., with a good spell of distinctly unglamorous labouring in the garden and jobs in the house! I'm so cruel... lol!

Anyway, today's card has one of the sweet new stamps from LOTV 'Pup with stocking'. I suppose whenever we buy new stamps or images it's because they appeal to us in some way, either because they make us smile, feel they'd be particularly suitable for a certain person or occasion, or because they trigger memories. When I showed this card to my offspring I asked them what story they thought was attached - and they immediately replied 'because the dog gets a bigger Christmas stocking than everyone else'! Yes, I know that our 'children' are all taller than me and in their teens (and older!) but there would still be a mass rebellion and major sulking on Christmas morning if stockings weren't put out - and dutifully filled. However, there is usually some grumbling about the fact that Tilly the Dog has a slightly bigger stocking than anyone else! Not that she's complaining...! So when I saw this stamp it made me smile!

Just look at that expression! I suppose I really should have coloured the pup black like Tilly (perhaps next time!) but to be fair, I can't imagine Tilly sitting so patiently in front of it for long. The only time she usually sits nicely like that is if there is food involved.

I've coloured the image with promarkers and pencils. The kraft backing paper is from LOTV, the deep red poinsettia paper is from Joanna Sheen cd (and I'm trying to remember which one!) and the glistening poinsettia paper is from a gorgeous First Edition pad 'Vintage Christmas' that I bought last week. 

I've added poinsettias made with a Marianne die, and a holly leaf (hand cut!) with holly berries from my stash. The sentiment is from LOTV. 

Hope you like it! 

So apologies for another rambling post - I'm not quite sure how this blog ended up being part craft and part waffle about our slightly boring/slightly bizarre household! But thank you for all the lovely comments you leave all the same! I'm continually surprised by how many of you stick with the stories! 

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday - and I'll go and get the wellies on! 

Back soon, Kim x 

Disdigidesigns - more than one die cut/punch (poinsettias, circle)

Joanna Sheen Challenge - so sweet

Christmascardsallyearround - presents

Christmas Crafting - traditional colours

MarianneDesignDivas - stamp something

ATCs & cards with attitude - anything goes

Divas by Design - lots of layers

Frosty the Snowman!

Good morning - Friday already! Where did that week go? I seem to have done the usual rushing around and not getting very far! But had an enjoyable couple of hours yesterday, visiting my local craft shop, CardCraftUK and then going for some lunch with my daughter - two of my favourite things (crafting & food!). We're so lucky to have a good craft shop nearby, but the problem is I can never come out empty handed. Went in for some white card and somehow managed to emerge with two scrummy paper pads from First Edition! As if I haven't got enough paper! Sigh.
So, as it's Friday that means it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz - and guess who's hosting this week's challenge? Yep, it's ME! So do pop over and have a look at the great DT inspiration. And don't forget that there is a DT call going on at the moment - there are more details on the CraftyCatz challenge blog!
And I've picked a nice easy one this week - 'Buttons'! We just want to see at least one button on your creation - how easy is that??
So here's my 'buttons' effort

I've used an image from this week's sponsor The Stamping Boutique - this cute snowman. 

The kraft backing papers are from LOTV, with some red card for matting and red ribbon from stash. 

I've coloured the image with promarkers and added stickles and some glossy accents on the buttons. The red 'snowflake' is from Spellbinders Persian Motifs (with added stickles!) and a snowman button.  Then three buttons with twine. The sentiment stamp is from LOTV. 

Hope you like it! So do pop over to CraftyCatz, get out your buttons and join in!

Back soon, Kim x 

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

Just keep on creating - Christmas

Creative Craft Challenges - anything goes

Sassy Cheryls - die cuts

Fashionista Challenge - Christmas

Christmas Garland

Good morning all and hope that your week is going well.  Can't believe how fast the days go sometimes but I feel as if I've been busy all day every day for the last few days, but not quite sure how much I've actually got done!  My daughter is back from her holidays and I've been sat looking through her holiday pics - it was her first time abroad on holiday without us, which felt a bit odd for all of us! - but it seems that she had a great time! I've had a few short phone calls from my hubby who is working in Abu Dhabi this week - and keeps telling me that it's very hot and humid, so whenever he's outdoors (away from the air-con) he feels very sweaty!  I have pointed out that if he was at home he'd feel warm too - because I've got the fire and heating on! - and he'd also feel damp outside because it keeps throwing it down with rain! Autumn is definitely here in north west UK!

Anyway, on to today's card - and a fairly simple card today!  I bought this stamp quite a while ago from LOTV but this is the first card I've made using it (hangs head in shame....).

The stamp is 'Christmas Baubles' and is quite a traditional 'non-cute' image that would be suitable for anyone! 

I've coloured the stamp with promarkers and then added some Glossy Accents to the baubles - but with my dodgy photographic skills I can never seem to get this to show up!  I've also added little beads to the top of the baubles - if you can spot them lol! 

The backing paper is from K&Co and the sentiment stamp is from LOTV - with a bit of added stickles! The ribbon & gold thread is from stash and the 'bauble' button is from Buttons Galore. 

So a pretty simple card, but hope you like it! 

Back soon,  

Kim x 

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

CreativeCraftChallenge - anything goes

Ladybug Crafts - Christmas

TammysScrapinCorner - anything goes

Lots of Sparkle!

Hi, it's me back again!  Well, I think I've got the house back to some sort of normality (well, as normal as our house ever is!) after the busy weekend. Thank you for all your wishes - and, yes, my son Jack did have a good 14th birthday, is happily speeding around on his new skateboard and wearing his new clothes!  And much to his delight he's also got some cash stashed to spend on other goodies!  And my daughter and her boyfriend set off on their hols, and I had a text late last night to say they'd arrived at the hotel and it was great! So fingers crossed that they still feel the same way by this time next week when they're back! It should definitely be warmer and sunnier there than here - it feels like autumn is on it's way!

So, to today's card - and there's been a major breakthrough in the Kim World of Cardmaking!  I've actually managed to make a Christmas card that isn't red and green!  Woo hoo!  The kick in the right direction I needed came from the Lilis Little Fairies challenge this week which is 'Black Magic' - to use some black on your card. And as I wanted to use one of my new Christmas stamps from LOTV, decided that a touch of black would look so much better with silvers, whites and blues!

This gorgeous little stamp is called 'Christmas Star' and she is just so cute!  I've coloured her with promarkers and pencils - and added plenty of stickles and glitter of course! 

I've used black card and silver mirri card and the snowflake paper is from GCD Studios 'SnowDay'. It has a really lovely sheen to it, which because of my distinctly dodgy camera work doesn't really show! 

I've added some stitching, some white ribbon from stash and a lovely little tree charm from Cart-Us and some white lace from stash. The sentiment stamp is from the great LOTV Grungy Messages (with more added stickles lol!)

The lovely little poinsettias were made with a Marianne die (and yet more stickles....), with a Marianne die swirl in black.

I'm so pleased I managed to produce a non-red/green Christmas Card! 

Hope you like it too! 

I'll be back soon, Kim x 

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

Lilis Little Fairies - Black Magic

Christmas Card Challenge - stars

No Matter Which Challenge - die cuts/punches

Penny Black & More - early Christmas makes

Christmas Candle!

Good morning and hope that you're looking forward to the weekend?  Quite a busy weekend for us coming up as it's our son Jack's 14th birthday on Sunday, we're out for a 'birthday tea' tomorrow night and he's also got a football match on Sunday afternoon!  And we also have the added mayhem of our daughter Lauren going on holiday abroad with her boyfriend on Sunday - this will be their first holiday abroad together (they've been together nearly 2 1/2 years!) - and they're excited but a bit apprehensive about the airport, checking in, etc.! So my husband is taking them to the airport on Sunday afternoon - after the chaos of all the packing, etc., on Saturday! I'll be looking forward to Monday for a rest!

But less of my family-life waffle!  As it's Friday that means it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz!  There were some great entries last week in the 3-2-1 challenge - and congratulations to our winner! This week the lovely Suzie has chosen 'Christmas' as our theme - so time to get festive everyone!  The prize this week is sponsored by

and the winner can pick 3 packs of die cuts!

There are so many lovely Christmas stamps about - with more being launched all the time! - but I picked one I already had from LOTV (you might have guessed lol!) - and apologies, it's yet another 'red&green' Christmas card!

This stamp is called 'Christmas Candle' - and she is gorgeous! I just love that snuggly looking coat & hood! 

I've actually coloured the green coat with copics - yes, I finally bought a few pens to try, so still practicing and learning! I do like the brush tip though, but perhaps my blending technique could do with some more practice!  I've used promarkers for the other colours, with some added glitter on her hood, for the snow and around the candle flame - shame it doesn't show up better on the photo! 

The sentiment is also from LOTV and stamped onto kraft card. 

The cute little poinsettias were made with a Marianne die, and the fir branch is from Spellbinders 'Fall Foliage'.  The snowflake backing paper is from LOTV - Krafty Christmas. 

I've used a Tonic border punch on the red & green, with a red satin ribbon & a 'parcel' button. 

Hope you like it! So do dig out the tinsel & glitter and join in this week at CraftyCatz!

Back soon, Kim x 

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

Inky Impressions - anything goes

Simon Says Stamp - use a stamp (no digi)

Anything Goes Challenge - Christmas

Creative Card Crew - Christmas

Papertake Weekly - anything goes

My Little Tree

Good morning all and hope that your Sunday morning has dawned bright & cheerful! Not here I'm afraid, a bit grey and overcast - but if it stays dry that's ok!  In fact I'm hoping it stays reasonably dry purely to reduce the amount of mud that will be clinging to my son Jack when he returns from his football match this afternoon!  I'm never quite sure how he does it, but whatever sport he's playing he always seems to get filthy! And whoever had the bright idea to make teenage boys dress in WHITE for cricket should be made to wash my son's kit for a season! I did ask him if he just threw himself on the field just for the sake of it, but he assures me that it just happens when he's going for particularly good catches, etc. And I don't even want to think about the state his rugby kit would be in. Sometimes we couldn't even glimpse the boot under the caking of thick mud around it. Sigh.

So until it brightens up, and everyone else in the house has decided it's possibly time to get up, I thought I'd share a little Christmas card with you.  Yes, I know, another Christmas card! But as schools around here start back this week, I always use that as a reminder that I really should start making some of my Christmas cards.

This one features one of the gorgeous Christmas stamps from LOTV - 'My Little Tree' - and I love the expression of determination on that little face!

I wish I could draw like that, and achieve such character with just a few pen strokes! 

I've coloured him with promarkers and pencils, and had to add some glitter of course!

The edges of all the papers have been distressed with 'Tea Dye' distress inks. The kraft backing paper is from the lovely LOTV 'Krafty Christmas' pad, and the red patterned paper is from K&CO. 

I've added a punched snowflake and gingham ribbon from stash. The sentiment is from LOTV and the cute button is from a few packs of Buttons Galore christmassy buttons I picked up a while ago!

I was quite pleased with the card, but a bit disappointed in myself that I nearly always seem to use reds & greens on Christmas cards! Note to self: Must try to be more adventurous with colours! 

Anyway, hope you like it! Enjoy the rest of the day. I'll be back soon,

Kim x 

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

Winter Wonderland - walking in a winter wonderland

QKR - anything goes

Fat Pages & cards with attitude - anything goes

Avadares - make it sparkle

A Gem of a Challenge - A boy thing

Sweet Stampin - inspired by a song ("Walking in a winter wonderland")

LadybugCrafts Challenge - anything goes