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Tuesday 31 January 2012

21 and Counting!

Evening Everyone
Well I don't know how appropriate it will seem to be making Christmas cards in the beautiful Summer sunshine, but for the moment I'm going to make the most of being inspired by the bitterly cold weather and the Christmas blogs.
Both cards have been made using images from my Christmas bits box. In fact this one is so old I'm not even sure of the stamp company. I think it could be Stampendous, but I am perfectly prepared to be wrong.
The image has been stamped and embossed using cats eye pigment ink pads and crystal embossing powder, so it is very sparkly which doesn't show in the photograph.
I have gold embossed the green background card using a beautiful Christmas Swirl stamp by Inkadinkadoo.
The lace panel has been created from a DooHickey. I have added plenty of bling as I would like to enter it into the challenge over at 52(Christmas) Card Throwdown where they want to see Rhinestones.
The second card tonight uses a lovely Magenta stamp which I have stamped and embossed onto a piece of  brayered background. I have punched the edge of the brayered panel using a Martha Stewart punch and then layered it onto silver card.
I added some spotty ribbon, a greeting and some punched poinsettias and leaves. Of course this image lends itself beautifully to more bling so I would like to enter it into the same challenge at 52(Christmas) Card Throwdown.
I think the black poinsettias give the card quite a dramatic look, and not what I would consider to be a typically traditional colour combo. so I would like to enter it in to the challenge at Christmas Cards All Year Round where they have been asking for Non Traditional Colours all this month.
I have decided to add a tally to my side bar so that I can see how well I am doing with my Christmas cards each month. So to start off the New Year I made 21 in January.
Thank You to all the Christmas challenge blogs that I have found, you have certainly kept me on track
Lets see how well I get on next month.
Thanks for stopping by and for all the lovely comments I have received. I will try and get round to everyone but at the moment I'm rather busy making more Christmas cards lol.
Hugs Kimx

Monday 30 January 2012

Lovely Lilies

Evening Everyone
Just a quick post tonight, before I fall asleep while I'm writing it lol. Why are Mondays always so difficult?
This is one of the cards that I made for Jenny from Hobby Art for her TV show that aired on Sunday.
I stamped and embossed the Lily stamp used distress inks to colour it, and added background paper and a Grand Nestie die.
I love that Anna and I have managed to extol the virtues of background stamps for long enough that we now have a set devoted exclusively to them.
I stamped and embossed the edges of the green card with one of the dottie ones. It just finishes everything off I think, don't you.
Off to bed now
Hugs Kimx

Sunday 29 January 2012

What's your favourite technique?

Hi All
Have you had a good weekend. I hope you have had a chance to watch Jenny from Hobby Art on the box this afternoon.
If not don't forget she will be back at 7pm with more ideas and card samples.
This afternoon she spoke about the play date that we had a couple of weeks ago and the Faux Mother of Pearl technique that I taught them all.
I didn't come up with the idea, I found it over at Splitcoast Stampers, but at the moment it has to be one of my favourite techniques.
The background for the card I am sharing with you tonight was made using this technique, a step by step tutorial for which can be found HERE.
Once I had made the background, I stamped and embossed the images on to it before adding colour using Distress inks.

The panel has been mounted onto background paper and then ribbon and glossy accents have been added.
I am entering this into a couple of challenges

Christmas Cards All Year Round - Non Traditional Christmas Colours.
Weekly Christmas Card Challenges - Favourite Technique 

I am finally getting down to the DT work, but I thought I would have a little bit of a break and do a bit of Blogging.
By the way Gill, I got an Honourable Mention over at 52(Christmas) Card Throwdown with this card that I showed you in class. But as they say, You have to be in it to Win it!!
Happy Crafting.
Hugs Kimx

Saturday 28 January 2012

A Wedding Couple

Evening Everyone,
I hope that you have all had a lovely creative day.
I always feel inspired when I come home from a class. it must be all those wonderfully creative people in one room. There is always something to learn from someone, today it was all sorts of brilliant tips with Cuttlebug Embossing folders.
Don't ever think you know all there is to know about a product because someone can always come up with something else for you to learn.
Not that I am in anyway implying that I know everything anyway, far from it.
My planned evening of DT work last night didn't quite happen as I had planned since I found out that my daughter Jenni needed a card for a Wedding Reception that she and the family are attending tonight. She was going to have to go and look for one at the shops but that always seems so silly when I have all these lovely things that I can play with.
This is what I came up with using my favourite Lili of the Valley Wedding Couple, some coffee and some background papers. The heart makes use of a Cuttlebug folder and a heart shaped Nestie.
Of course there had to be some stitching and lace made using a Magnolia DooHickey. Always and Forever is from a Printworks clear stamp set, while On Your Wedding Day came with the Wedding Couple.
By the way these are a few of the cards that the ladies came up with on the class. It's amazing what you can achieve with a few bits of background papers and some embossing folders.
Hugs Kimx

Friday 27 January 2012

More Imagination Decoupage

Evening Everyone
I hope you managed to catch Imagination on QVC earlier this evening. Unfortunately my cards didn't get much of an airing so I thought that I would post a couple of them here quickly before I get to bed.
 I think this one was given a very brief moment of air time. All the samples tonight have been made using the fantastic Crocus stamp set. This particular card also uses the Summer Blossom stencil and stencil paints.
I have used a combination of background papers to create this card which I would like to enter into the challenge over at Paper Sundaes where they are looking for Paper Piecing.
 I have stamped one of the little background stamps over the stencilled flowers.
This second card makes use of bleach, dark card and dye based inks.
 The handmade background paper is made using the Sylus tool and a Petal Point pigment ink pad.
This final card uses Inkidink inks, and embossing both heat and cuttlebugged. The swirly folder matched the stamps perfectly I thought.
Hope you like them.
Hugs Kimx

Christmas Flowers in Pink and Green

Hi All
After my win last week over at 52CCT I decided that I had better give it another try this week. At the very least it has enabled me to get another couple of Christmas cards made.
They are looking for Christmas Flowers. and I have used an old one from Penny Black 3241K
Solitaire and a lovely Penny Black sentiment 3226F True Wish.
The main panel has been created using an assortment of Cats Eye pigment inks and clear embossing powder in a technique known as Embossed Resist.
This has been layered over panels of background papers from my stash, some of which have been stamped with the lovely Hero Arts F5042 Leaf Flourish.
I also made a second card with the same lovely Christmas flower but a different sentiment  3268L My Wish.
Again I have layered the panel over background papers from my stash and some ribbons.
I actually think that this stamp would work every bit as well for a birthday card, I don't know about you.
I am entering them into the challenges at

52(Christmas) Card Throwdown - Christmas Flowers
Christmas Cards All Year Round - Non Traditional Christmas Colours - Pink
Colour Create Challenge - Pink and Green
Weekly Christmas Card Challenges - Colouring (I coloured the solid stamp before stamping does that count?)

Better get on now, I have a Valentines card to finish for one of the boys at work so that it can be sent to Pakistan. A class at Davina's on Saturday afternoon.  And then I have DT work to do for Barbara, so I see lots more playtime in my future, it's a hard life but someone's got to do it lol.
Oh and don't forget to tune in to QVC at 6pm tonight to watch Sue from Imagination and her wonderful Spring Decoupage stamps.
Happy Crafting
Hugs Kimx

Thursday 26 January 2012

Imagination on TV - 6pm on QVC

Evening Everyone
I have been having way too much fun recently making samples using the stunning new collection of Spring Decoupage stamps sets from Imagination.
There are 6 stamps sets in total in this new collection and each one gives you brilliant value as it contains not only a large stamp but also several smaller stamps and sentiments which co-ordinate perfectly. I would be hard pressed to choose a favourite one from amongst them.

Tomorrow evening the lovely Sue from Imagination will be on QVC showcasing some of these stamps, amongst other things.
My card tonight uses the Butterfly set. I stamped and embossed the main image from the set onto some watercolour card and then added a wash  of colour made from a mixture of Pearly PaintInkidinks and water.
This panel actually started off a completely different colour but I played around with it adding extra water and then removing colour with kitchen paper and dropping different colours in to the mix until I was happy with the results.
That is the beauty of watercolour card, it is very forgiving, allowing you to play and mix things up with out ruining the card, something normal card stock will not usually allow.
I added some extra colour to the leaves, and white Gelly Roll Glaze pen to the small daisies.
The background papers are from my stash, and I have stamped and embossed the small floral branch down the right hand side of the pink paper panel.
I also added a little Magi Glaze to the butterfly and flower centres.
All of the products are available from Imagination Crafts who offer a first class delivery service both UK and overseas.
Don't forget to catch them on the TV. Remember 6pm on QVC.
Hopefully you will get to see some of my samples, although I have noticed that the Presenters are not quite as laid back as they are on Create and Craft so you may just have to wait for me to post them all here over the next couple of weeks.
I am going to enter this card into a couple of challenges.

Charisma Cardz Challenges - Pretty in Pink
Crafts and Me - Pink and Sparkly  Unfortunately the sparkle from the Pearly Paint doesn't show up well in the photos.
Flutterby Wednesday - Must use Embossing with Butterfly/ Fairy/ Angel

Off to bed now, or maybe there is just time to catch up with a couple of comments :)
hugs Kimx

Wednesday 25 January 2012

Live well, Laugh often, Love much

Well I managed to get it finished.
Those of you that stopped by earlier from WOYWW will know that just a little while ago this was a work very much in progress. Well now it is complete, including box :)
A friend asked me on Tuesday if I could make a card to congratulate his daughter on her Engagement. I hope that he feels that this will fit the bill.
I have used a lovely Lili of the Valley die cut some flowers and background papers all from my stash.
The leaves and swirls are Doohickeys that I bought from the fabulous Sir Stampalot. The Heart Border is from them as well.
The greeting is from a Printworks clear stamp set that I have had for a number of years.
I didn't have an Engagement stamp but I felt that this sentiment was just perfect.
I embossed the swirls with sticky embossing powder and then covered them with prisma glitter.
I am entering this in to several challenges

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Happy Highlights (Glitter on the swirls and glossy accents on the glasses)
Deep Ocean Challenge - Sparkling and or Glitter
Seems a Little Sketchy - I've used their Sketch
Allsorts Challenge  - Needles and Pins (Beaded hat pin in the flowers)
Winter Wonderland - Easel Card

I will be delivering it tomorrow, so I had better get it in it's box now that the silicon is dry.
Look at the time! Nite nite.
hugs Kimx

Whats on Your Worktop Wednesday (WOYWW)

Evening Everyone,
I decided I would share my Worktop with you since it is Wednesday, and I found the WOYWW site while I was doing my commenting for Crafty Cardmakers.
I really am not the tidiest of crafters as you can see from my desk this afternoon. I never quite know how a project is going to look when I first start, so I end up with a heap of papers, dies, flowers, inks..... you name it, and it is probably there somewhere.
Of course there has to be a cup of coffee there as anyone who knows me will tell you, I don't function without coffee lol.
I never seem to finish any of them though, and so far I haven't ended up with one all over my work, although that is now probably the kiss of death to that.
This is a sneak peek of  the card that I have been working on today. I will try and get it finished so that I can share it later. 
My coffee is cold now so I had better make another one :)
Happy Crafting.
hugs Kimx

Tuesday 24 January 2012

More beads for Crafty Cardmakers

Evening All,
We are asking you to use beads on your projects over at Crafty Cardmakers this time.
Having struggled to make my DT card I am now on a roll. It must be seeing all the wonderful projects that the rest of the team have made. Do check them all out, there are some fabulous creations.
I made this card using various items from my stash, including the leftover backing from a peel-off!!!!!
How sad am I you might say? Don't I have enough stamps that I could use? Well of course the answer to that is that I have hundreds but this seemed like one of those things that you just have to try.
I first saw it done somewhere years ago. In fact I remember showing the ladies on a peel-off class once that this was a good way of using up the left overs.
Once the peel-off has been removed rub permanent ink or metallic rub-ons over the backing sheet and the image pops through.

I have cut around the image and mounted it onto a tag made from Bazill card stock which has had some peel-off lines and metallic rub-on added to it.
Having punched a hole in the top of the tag I added some wire which had been threaded with beads. I twisted the wire around a knitting needle to help keep the beads in place.
Not any more adventurous than my previous card when it comes to the beads I'm afraid but I do like the effect.
I am entering this in to the challenge at Make My Monday - where they want to see Flowers and Leaves.
Better get to bed now. I have to admit I found myself doing a bit of a nodding dog impression this afternoon so I had really better try and get some sleep. Maybe I will have a granny nap tomorrow. Oh the joys of getting older lol.
hugs Kimx

Monday 23 January 2012

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge 60 - Beads

Afternoon Everyone,
Today sees the start of a new challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers. 
This time it has been hosted By Jack
For this challenge she would like to see beads used. You can make a project using just beads or use them as embellishments on something you make. The important thing is that beads are there for all to see.


We are kindly sponsored for this challenge by The Stampman (and Lady of course!) who are offering the winner a £10 voucher for their store, you can spend this on line, in the shop or if you're lucky enough to see them at a show! They have a ton of items in store, enough to tickle any crafty taste bud.
We also have a new sponsor who is offering a $10 Gift Voucher.
$10 Gift Voucher

I'm not a great one for beads, although of course like most people I have loads of them, so this was a bit of a challenge for me. Then I remembered a card I once made for a magazine that had beads wrapped around a punched star and decided that I would make another card along the same lines.
I'm afraid that it is another Christmas card, but I'm on a bit of a roll at the moment so I hope that you will forgive me.
The main panel has been created by punching a large star from a piece of previously stamped and embossed card or paper.
Gold embossing on gold paper looks very classy I always think, and any Christmas background stamp will do.
Thread assorted beads onto some fine gold wire and twist it round a knitting needle or something similar. This will help to keep the beads in place once the wire has been attached to the card.
Wrap the beaded wire around the punched star and attach it to the finished card which has been made from various pieces of card matted and layered as illustrated.
The black card stock has been embossed using a cuttlebug folder.

I would like to enter this into a couple of challenges.
ABC Christmas Challenge - A for Anything Goes
Christmas Cards All Year Round - Non Traditional Christmas Colours

I hope that it helps to inspire you. Don't forget to stop in on the other DT members and see the stunning creations that they have come up with.
I had better go and iron my uniform now, it's back to reality tomorrow lol.
Have a good evening.
hugs 
Kimx

Sunday 22 January 2012

A day for Celebrating with Hobby Art.

Evening Everyone
Well yesterday really was a day for celebrating. As well as my friend Danny's 50th it was also the birthday of my sister Tracy (I will be nice and not let on which one lol) and Haider one of the guys that I work with at the BP garage.
This is the card I sent my sister. It was made using Floral Border and Floral Branch, both from Hobby Art.
I stamped and embossed the images onto blue card stock and then painted them with thin undiluted bleach. You might have to experiment with your card stock since not all will bleach out.
 Once this has been done I then coloured the images with colouring pencils. Because you have bleached the card to start with the colour of the pencils shows up much better.
The card I gave Haider was also made using a Hobby Art stamp, Koi Carp Jewel.
I used the same bleaching technique only this time I painted the Koi with dye based ink.
Both cards have been mounted in a similar manner using a combination of torn card and woollen threads.
I have been working all weekend on some new Hobby Art samples for Jenny's next TV show.
She will be on Create and Craft channel 671 next Sunday (29th January) at 2pm and 7pm, unless they change the times on us.

I would like to enter these into the following challenges
Birthday Sundaes - Challenge 40 Birthday Wording on the Front.
Lets Ink it Up - Challenge 19 Anything Goes
ABC Challenges  - H for Happy Birthday

Hope you have had a good weekend.
hugs Kimx

Saturday 21 January 2012

My lucky day.

Today really is my lucky day, I found out that I have won 2 challenges!!!
The first one is the card that I entered into G is for Green over at ABC Challenges. I will let you know exactly what I have won when I get it sorted out.
I nearly missed this one as with all of the Internet problems I haven't been checking Feline Playful regularly. Thank Goodness they left me a message on my blog.
My second winning card is the  'Reindeer with a beauty spot' that I made for 52 (Christmas) Card Throwdown where I got the Top Honor .
Maybe I should go quickly and buy a lottery ticket, what do you think??
Hugs Kimx