Some exciting news....

Hello to all in Blogland and Sunday seems to have come around again pretty quickly! I'm starting the decorating process today :(   - but needs must and my lounge is in dire need of decorating! I don't mind the decorating bit, it's all the upheaval, mess, clearing out that I dread. Sigh.
But anyway, before I start all that, I just wanted to share some news with you.  I was thrilled (bit of an understatement!) to be asked to join the Digital Design Team at Whimsy!  Of course I had to think long and hard about it (for about 2 seconds) and then said I would love to! I know that it's a big undertaking as Whimsy do a monthly release of new digi stamps, etc., and a challenge blog 'WhimsyInspires', but I just couldn't resist the chance to work with the fabulous artwork that they produce! There's now a big DT with designers from all over the globe and lots of exciting new releases in the pipeline. It's a much bigger (and more complex!) set up than I'm used to, and I'm still a relatively new blogger so I hope they'll be gentle with me! But I hope you'll enjoy seeing some of the fantastic Whimsy digis appearing in my little corner of Blogland!

So I've made a Christmas hanger to share with you today using a Whimsy digi - a sentiment from RaindropEcho 'Christmas Sentiments'

I've coloured the stamp with promarkers and pencils

The backing papers are from First Edition, with some distress inks and stitching on the edges. The sentiment is matted onto a Spellbinders 'floral oval'.  The roses are from Wild Orchid and the small green flowers from Joanna Sheen, as is the sheer green ribbon. The ivy is from a Marianne die. 

and the adorable little wooden rocking horse is from a challenge blog prize I was lucky enough to win from CraftyEmblies! Isn't it gorgeous! 

Thanks for letting me share my exciting news with you! And a big welcome to my new followers - although I hope all the waffling that goes on on this blog doesn't frighten you off too much! 

Back soon, 

Kim x 

I'm entering this Christmas Hanger in the following challenges:-

Allsorts - in stitches

Brown Sugar - anything goes

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - stitching

CraftyAnn's - Christmas

Fussy & Fancy - anything goes

QKR Stampede - sentiment as focal point

StampinfortheWeekend - anything goes

Christmas is creeping up!

I'm back again with a new challenge over at Totally Papercrafts. We had some fantastic entries in our last challenge. And this new challenge, chosen by our lovely Susan is '9 weeks and counting', Christmas is on it's way! So we'd like to see your Christmas creations!

I decided to use one of my Humphrey stamps from CraftersCompanion that I bought last year

I've coloured the image with promarkers and added lots of stickles (no surprise there then lol!). 

The backing papers are from Dovecraft, with some plain card from stash - and using the Spellbinders 'floral oval' die (a new favourite!). The holly corners are from a CheeryLynn die, with some added red beads for the holly berries. 

The sentiment is one of the gorgeous 'Grungy Christmas' ones from LOTV. And then a bow of sheer ribbon from Joanna Sheen. 

So do pop over to Totally Papercrafts and join us with your Christmas offerings! 

Our sponsor this week is 

Back soon, Kim x 

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

ABC Christmas Challenge - anything goes

I love Promarkers - anything goes

A&T Emerald Fairies - anything goes

CheeryLynn - corner embellishments

OLLCB - Christmas sentiment

Totally Stampalicious - Christmas

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

Flowers for you

Good morning all in Blogland and hope that your weekend has been going well. It's a frosty but sunny morning here in north west UK - much nicer than grey & wet! I don't mind the cold as the trade off is we get the sunshine too! I'm sure my husband is grimacing somewhere as he probably knows that if it's a sunny Sunday morning that means there are more jobs somewhere in the garden to tackle. We haven't got a big garden but there always seems to be some things that need doing. It's not really his favourite occupation - unless he's chopping something down or starting a bonfire! - but I feel the need to get it tidied up before winter. As I do point out to him, one of his working departments at home is 'Parks & Gardens' (along with 'Taxi Driver', 'DIY Call Out', 'Computer/Internet Specialist', etc....). As I'm kind (!) I'll don my wellies first and make a start - then remove him from his Sunday papers and he can come out and help with the heavy duty bits! After housing the usual band of teenagers yesterday afternoon and for tea, it's quite nice to spend some time pottering outside - teenagers don't 'do' gardens (well, mine don't) so I'm usually permitted some peace out there.

Anyway, enough waffling from me! On to today's card. I've used a stamp I bought a while ago from Joanna Sheen - 'Basket of Flowers'

I coloured the image with promarkers and then added some Glossy Accents to the flowers - but with my photo skills this doesn't really show up!

I decided to make this into a 6" square gatefold card for a change. The backing papers are from First Edition 'Birdsong' with some coredinations card for matting and accents. 

I've edged the opening sides with lace, and added a sheen ribbon tied bow to the side. The corners are from a Spellbinders die using 'Persian Accents' and the leaves are using a Marianne die. The flowers are from WOC and CardCraftUK.  At the back of the card I've added a Marianne die cut heart (to hold the ribbon in place!)

I thought I'd share this one with you today as it features stargazer lilies on the stamp which were one of my mum's favourite flowers. Today marks 10 years since she passed away, and we made sure there were stargazer lilies at her funeral. She loved all flowers and this sort of card would have been perfect for her. 

I can't believe 10 years has passed so quickly - and I still want to ring her up or pop round, particularly when the kids have done something clever/funny/annoying! Well, that's what mums are for isn't it? 

So, I'm not ending on a mournful note. She hated people to be miserable! So we're all smiling today as we remember her! Make sure you smile for someone today.

And can I just say a big thank you for all the lovely comments you've been leaving - they mean so much! 

Sorry for the long and waffling post (although nothing new there!). 

Back soon, Kim x 

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

Joanna Sheen Challenge Blog - Down in the garden

Delicious Doodles - flowers

StampinfortheWeekend - feeling floral

PaperPretties - flowers

JellyparkChallenges - pink it up

ArtImpressionsChallenge - pink

Autumn Golds!

Good morning and hope that your Friday is starting well.  I'm hoping that today proves a bit better than yesterday, as I started with a humdinger of a migraine at 5am which carried on more or less all day. What a waste of a day feeling so c**p! Sigh.

Anyway, no whingeing today, and as long as I can get away without one of my more or less constant headaches then it'll be a good day!
And as it's Friday, it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz.  There were some fantastic entries for the lace and bows challenge last week - and congratulations to the winner. It's always such a pleasure to browse around people's blogs and see the variety of crafting creations.
The challenge this week, chosen by our lovely Janette, is 'Autumn' - so a nice easy one for you! Our sponsor this week is


and I've used a StampFairy image for my card.

But considering our 'autumn' up to now perhaps it should just feature rain & water lol! But I loved this cute simple image, and her little teddy! 

I've coloured the image with promarkers. The backing papers are from American crafts and a freebie spotty one. The ribbon and button are from stash and the mulberry flower from WOC. I enjoyed making the leaves, with white paper coloured with a Big'n'Juicy pad 'spice' to get the shades of colours, then cut with Spellbinders 'Fall Foliage' dies. 

Hope you like it! 

So do pop over to the CraftyCatz challenge blog and have a look at the great things produced by the DT - and by our new DT members! 

Back soon, Kim x 

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

CraftyCreations - colours of Fall

ILovePromarkers - autumn colours

SassyCherylsChallenge - lets think about Fall

Pinspirational Challenge - photo inspiration

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

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

Faith, Hope and Love

Good morning all! Just a quickie post from me today - the sun is shining and we have a busy day today in our (very full!) household!  It's our son's 14th birthday today - and he's just emerging from his pit! I can't believe my 'baby' is now 14! Where does the time go? It only seems last month he was a little toddler and now he towers over me! His friend stayed over last night as a few of us went out for a 'birthday tea'! So I think I'll be required in the kitchen soon to provide bacon butties, toast, etc!  And our daughter & her boyfriend are heading off to Lanzarote today for a week's holiday - so dad is on taxi duty to the airport in a couple of hours! Then I'll be hurrying the boys along to get ready for a football match this afternoon! Oh joy!

So, today's card was made using a gorgeous digi stamp from Bugaboo - I just loved the wording and image on this!

I've coloured the roses and leaves with promarkers, with some chalking to soften the edges of the image.  

The backing paper is from Teresa Collins - just love these papers and I've nearly finished them - sob! - so I'll have to see if I can find some more!  And then some coredinations card for matting and layering. 

 The flowers are from WOC - and I've used an ivory wild rose but sprayed it with Cosmic Shimmer mists. I do like to do that with some flowers as it gives a lovely subtle 'sheen' to them.  The leaves were done with Spellbinders 'Fall Foliage' die set, some gorgeous leaves on there and I can see it will come in quite useful, particularly for 'seasonal' style cards.  And then just added a Marianne die swirl. 

So a fairly simple card really, but I was quite pleased with it! But I do love the aqua/teal colours.  And I just love the wording on this stamp - so true. 

So, have a good Sunday whatever you're doing. I'd better head to the kitchen and start feeding hungry teenagers!

Back soon, Kim x 

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

Clearly Inspired - leaves

Inspire me Fridays - anything goes

ATCs and cards with attitude - anything goes

Crafty Anns - monochrome (aqua)

Shellys Images - anything goes

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

Teddy Present!

Good morning! Yes, another post from me - that's three days on the trot! How keen am I?
It's just a quick post from me today as I'm off to work, hubby's at work as usual, Jack's back at school and Lauren's heading off to Manchester for the day with her friend for some shopping & lunch (alright for some!).  So I'm going to have a very sulky Tilly the Dog today when I get back from work - that after weeks of nearly always having someone here, she'll have been left on her own with just the grumpy cat for company! And the one thing that our hound craves more than anything (even doggy treats!) is company! So I'll have to do the extra-long doggy walks this evening and lots of fussing to compensate!

Today's card uses a lovely teddy stamp from LOTV (do they make any other sort?) - Patchwork Teddy.

I saw the challenge over at Lili's Little Fairies for 'Anything but a square' and decided to take up the challenge. I don't have a large die cutting machine, just a basic and much used BigShot, so any different shape was going to be self-made! Now considering my scissor skills I didn't particularly fancy cutting a large circle, and didn't have any circle shaped cards, so thought that perhaps I could manage a hexagon shape - and here is the result! 

I've coloured the image with promarkers and pencils.  The backing papers are from the lush new Nitwit paper pads at LOTV - ooh these are scrummy, particularly if you like making girly cards like I do! 

I've used Marianne heart & swirl die cuts, and the leaves are using a new set of Spellbinder dies - 'Fall Foliage' - that I recently treated myself to!  The flowers are from WOC, as is the cute heart charm. The sheer ribbon is from Joanna Sheen and the pearly heart from my stash. 

So definitely a 'pink & girly' card - yet again! But I do enjoy adding all the embellishments! I don't think I'll ever manage 'clean and simple' lol! 

Anyway, hope that your day goes well.  I look forward to hearing all my son's tales of how his first day as a Year 9 boy went - and admiring all my daughter's purchases! 

And thank you for all the lovely comments I've been receiving - they mean so much! 

Back soon, Kim x 

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

Lilis Little Fairies - anything but a square

Wild Orchid Challenge - layers