Happy Easter!

Hello all - Happy Easter! I hope that you have a relaxing day - whatever you have planned.  A quiet day here (I think!) with just family, some pottering in the garden and a meal together later.  The day has dawned a bit grey and overcast at the moment but I think I'll venture forth regardless! Yesterday was a beautiful spring day, and as all the boys were out in the afternoon for a while, Grumpy Poppy and I sat in the garden in the lovely warm sunshine, complete with a brew and my crocheting - bliss!

Just thought I'd share a little card that I made ages ago and forgot to blog (and with my memory, there's quite a few of those!) using a simple sentiment stamp, vintage stamps and scrummy papers

Sentiment stamp is from Inkylicious (love that sentiment!), the vintage stamps are from LOTV and Kaisercraft, the scrummy papers from K&Co and the charms and ribbon from stash.

And talking of needing a better memory.....

I saw this the other day and it made me laugh! 

And a quick pic of our dining table ready for Easter lunch later - and making the most of the gorgeous little tete-a-tete daffodils scattered across the garden before they all vanish again for another year!

I hope your Easter is a peaceful one - and that you manage some crafting time too! 

Thank you for all your lovely comments - they mean so much.

Back soon,

Kim x

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

Boo!

Good morning all! How did Monday arrive again so quickly? Who pressed the 'fast forward' button last Friday? Thanks for all your comments yesterday, and yes, thankfully the DIY passed with minimum bloodshed. We were still talking to one another by teatime which is an achievement. And thankfully daughter was very pleased with her new desk and chair - just hope it gets well used for doing work now!
Well, after me confessing on Friday that I'd never made a Halloween project before the hanger I made for CraftyCatz, I've now made another Halloween one!  And apologies before we go any further that the photos are definitely on the 'dodgy' side today - not sure whether to blame the camera, the very dull light or the photographer (honesty compels me to say it's probably the photographer...).

This is another digi stamp from Mos Digital pencil - Kitty Kai - and doesn't he look great in his cat costume! 

I've coloured the image with promarkers. I'm trying to use some stronger colours as I always tend to reach for pastel shades first. And this was the first time I've used my black promarker! 

The backing paper is from K&Co. I'm saving for the fishtail dies that I've had my eye on, but in the meantime I made the 'flags' by using a MS punch then cutting them into strips, but it seems to work ok. I've added buttons and ribbon from stash. The lettering is Sizzix rub-ons on black card. 

I made this one into an easel card. 

So quite a basic and simple design from me today - but hope that you like this cute little character! 

Right, the Monday morning housework is calling :(

Back soon, Kim x 

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

Come and get it challenges - halloween

Dream Valley Challenges - halloween

2Sisters challenges - cute and creepy

Just some lines challenges - too cute to spook

ATCs and Cards with attitude - halloween

CardCraftersCircle - halloween

StampinfortheWeekend - something spooky

A little bit vintage

Good morning all and hope that your week is going well. After heavy rain this morning it's now sunshine and blue sky! But despite Tilly the Dog now thinking that it's a good time to go for a walk I'm a bit housebound for the moment waiting on a delivery! But a good excuse to get my crafting toys out and have a play for a little while.
Thought I'd share something a bit different with you today

a vintage 'shabby chic' sort of creation - and so much fun to do! I used a vintage photo from a Joanna Sheen cd (ATC Assistant - not sure it's in production any more!) and then got a bit carried away with papers and embellishments!  The papers are from K&Co - just perfect for this sort of thing!. The lace and netting are from my stash and the flowers are from Wild Orchid.  I added a couple of die cuts, Poppystamps 'meadow leaf' and a swirl from Marianne. The pin was a home-made one with some beads.

The sentiment stamp is a Clarity one and I love those words. Cut with a Spellbinders die and some 'antique linen' distress ink. The inside was decorated to match

So, I hope you like my little bit of vintage! And not a promarker or 'cutie' stamp in sight lol! 

Back soon, Kim x 

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

A&T Emerald Fairies - anything goes

Tuesday Throwdown - tea at grannys

Fashionista Challenge - anything goes

MakeItMonday - anything goes

SimonSaysStampand Show - favourites (flowers)

The ShabbyTeaRoomChallenge - rustic elegance

Frosty Wintertime

Hello and hope that everyone in Blogland is well today and has started the week on a happy note! Can I just say a big hello to my new followers and thank you to everyone for all the lovely comments you leave - they mean so much!
Well, it was the usual routine for me today - once everyone has departed for work/school/uni I try to get the house back into some order after the weekend. I don't work on a Monday (well, the paid variety lol!) - but often think that it's harder 'work' being at home by the time I've sorted laundry, hoovered, stripped beds, etc.! Just call me a domestic goddess! Sigh.
Anyway, on to today's card.

I've used 'Heidi' from Wee Stamps - isn't she adorable! I've coloured her with promarkers and pencils and added plenty of Stickles and some pearl drops.

I've used the Spellbinders 'floral oval' die. The papers are from K&Co and First Edition - and I was quite pleased how the frosty pinks and blues worked. I've added lace down one edge, and some muslin and paper flowers from stash (also with a dash of Stickles!).  The silver snowflake was 'robbed' from some Christmas decorations!

I think this would be suitable for either a Christmas card or a winter birthday card - so I haven't added a sentiment yet. I'll wait and see which I want to use it for!

Back soon, Kim x 

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

CraftyHazelnutsChristmas - snowflakes

SugarCreekHollow - show some sparkle

Christmas Stampin all year long - anything goes

Eclectic Ellapu - anything goes

Stamp and Create - WinterWonderland

Let's go fly a kite

Yes, it's me again! Because it's Friday it's also time for a new challenge over at Totally Papercrafts. We had some great entries last week and congratulations to the winner!
Our lovely Susan has chosen the challenge for this week - For a child.  So a nice easy challenge for everyone! We're sponsored this week by Meljen's Designs and the winner will receive 4 digis of their choice!
So, then the hard part! I had to decide what stamp I would use for a child. After much faffing I decided on this one!

Isn't he just the cutest? I love this little boy from Mo's Digital Pencil, he's so adorable! 

I've coloured him with promarkers, copics and pencils.

The yellow backing paper is from K&Co and the patterned green paper is from a FunkyHand cd, 'Wishes & Kisses'.  I hand-cut the bunting (note to self: must get a die to do this!) and it's 'strung' on twine. The sentiment stamp is from Whimsy, with the ticket die to match. I've distressed all the edges and then stitched for extra definition! So a fairly simple card but I was quite pleased with the overall effect. I just hope a child would like it too lol! 

So do pop over to Totally Papercrafts and have a look at the fantastic creations from the Design Team! 

Back soon,

Kim x 

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

Inky Impressions - for a child

Whimsy Inspiration - anything goes

Craft Room Challenge - childhood memories

Through the craft room door - anything goes

Stamp and Create - anything goes

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

What would we do without a computer...?

Good morning all and hope that your weekend is going well.  An early start for me as I was up to wave husband off as he heads to warmer climes for work for a week!  I thought it was very kind of me to get up to say goodbye at 6.00am on a Sunday morning lol! So I'm hoping that once my son has headed off to his friend's today where he's been invited (and as daughter is still on her hols!) that I can get some relaxing crafting time this afternoon. Mind you, I'll still have Tilly the Dog with me who'll then be forwarding repeated requests for walkies!

As I mentioned a few days ago, last Sunday was our son Jack's 14th birthday - so I thought I'd show you the card I made for him.  Now teenage boys aren't generally interested in pretty flowers, lacy embellishments and cute images - or at least mine isn't!  His main interests are being with his friends, sports, his xbox and his computer! And I have to say he is quite a whizz on the computer and can do things and add special effects that I wouldn't even know where to start with!  So when I saw this image from Mos Digital Pencil it seemed a pretty good start for his birthday card!

This image is called 'Paul Typing' but could just as easily be Jack when he's 'borrowed' my laptop (though why he wants a laptop when he's got a very good computer in his room beats me!). 

I've coloured the image with promarkers and pencils.  I then added black eyelets and bakers twine as a 'frame'.  The sentiment was done on the computer.  The papers are K&Co 'BlueAwning' - great papers, particularly for more 'masculine' cards and scrap layouts.  I used coredinations card for matting, lightly sanded and distressed.  I then distressed all the images and papers with 'tea dye' distress ink. As an extra 'dimension' I thought I'd make a tag with a birthday message on that fits in a pocket behind the main image, again with a black eyelet, faux stitching and seam binding ribbon. The lettering was using Sizzix rub-ons.

Hope you like it! And thank you for all the nice comments about my rather waffling posts! Apologies for yet another rather long post - but I do like to add details about what I've used as I know when I browse around at so many talented crafters' blogs that it's interesting to see what people have used - that's how we get our own ideas! 

Back soon, Kim x 

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

Alphabet challenge - P is for Pocket Card

Fresh Brewed - distressing

Creative Craft Challenge - all about the boys

Our Craft Lounge - use twine

My heart pieces digital stamp challenge - anything goes

Whimsy Inspires - anything goes

Brown & Orange

Right, I should probably issue a warning at the beginning of this post that you should get yourself and drink and sit comfortably.....

I have officially failed as a mother - again!  My darling son has been complaining for a couple of weeks about having a painful foot and in my best 'Graduate of the School of Caring Motherhood' said "You've probably just knocked it - it'll be fine"!  Eventually, on Wednesday night after he returned from football practice complaining yet again and limping I took a closer look (I usually avoid feet at all costs - particularly those belonging to teenage boys) and realised that there was actually a hard lump on the bridge of his foot.  Oops. So it was off to the doctor's yesterday morning (yes, I actually got an appointment on the same day - a minor miracle methinks).  She examined it too (although I'm sure I saw her flinch a bit too when faced with boy-feet - she has a 15 year old son so know's to brace herself).  Her diagnosis was that it was a ganglion (yes, I had to look it up too) - a type of hardened cyst. So then it was off to the local hospital for an xray and appointment made to see an orthopaedic surgeon in a week or so. She thinks he'll probably have to have it surgically removed via a minor op - and trust me, I'm sure he'll milk it for all it's worth!  This ganglion is going to cost me big time! I'm sure he's taken great delight in telling all and sundry about his forthcoming 'op' (and embellished it a bit for good measure).  His sister even texted me from Lanzarote to ask what was wrong and was he ok as he had already changed his status on his Blackberry! Sigh.

So, amid my motherhood failings, I'd better get on with today's card! As it's Friday it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz - and a great one for this time of year chosen by our lovely Aunty Sue - use the colours 'Brown & Orange'!  We are sponsored this week by

and I've used one of their gorgeous digi stamps for my card. And please remember that we are having a DT call over at CraftyCatz - have a look at the challenge blog for details - and why not combine your 'brown & orange' creation with a DT entry?  It'd be great to have you on our very friendly team!

Doesn't she look like she's having fun?  I've coloured the image with promarkers and pencils

The backing papers are from K&Co that I have had in my stash for so long! The sheer ribbon is from Joanna Sheen. And I had a chance to go mad with my recently acquired Spellbinders 'Fall Foliage' die set!  I know I've probably got a bit carried away with all the leaves - but they're just so pretty! 

I think it all gives the card a real 'autumn' feel!  Hope you like it!

So apologies for the rather long waffling post - although that's nothing new! And a very warm welcome to my new followers - it's wonderful to have you join me on my crafting journey - and I hope that you'll be able to cope with the all the waffling too! 

Back soon, Kim x 

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

creative belli - autumn

bearly mine - anything goes

crafty sentiments - leaves 

try it on tuesday -anything goes