Enjoy your Special Day

Evening All
Why do BBQ's take so long to prepare and cook in comparison to eating them? I suppose to be fair there are 8 of us, or 9 if you count the cat who faired very well with all the bits that ended up on the floor lol.

You see I told you that the weather would change. Today has definitely been cooler, lets hope that the rain they are predicting holds off for a few more days.
This card is one that I loaned Jenny for her TV show today. It was made with one of the pieces that I created at Ally Pally and of course uses the wonderful Anna's collection Just for You.

The stamped panel shows off the embossed resist technique and has then been layered over background paper and cuttlebugged panels.

Of course a card wouldn't be the same without a little bit of bling would it Gill :)
Don't forget Jenny has two more shows on tomorrow at 8am and 1pm. Mustn't forget to set the sky box to record them.
Better get to bed now.
Nite, nite
Love Kimx

Treasure the Memories

Afternoon Everyone
I hope that you have all had a lovely Easter.
I had a quick trip round blogland yesterday and was bizarrely heartened to see that I was not alone in feeling that I had lost my mojo, many of you are obviously feeling the same.
Despite the glorious weather we have been having (although we did get some thunder rumble around us on Sunday afternoon) I have been finding it hard to get motivated.
Maybe its because I'm under time pressure for TV work again - who knows.

Anyway I thought that I would share some more of the frames that I finished after the class at Lavender Lane the other week.
This first one is made using a cuttlebugged design. This picture of my dear Dad was taken many years ago. The young lady in the picture, my niece Lauren, will be 16 this year!!! Wasn't she cute? She will probably never talk to me again now for posting this :)

The flowers are hand made by yours truly, all except the white ones that is.

This one uses the Magenta Frame I got from Sir Stampalot. I have stamped and embossed it onto Bazzil card stock and then painted the swirls with bleach.

The flowers this time are all shop bought. They are from my stash which I added to at Ally Pally. All the frames have a few gems on them, but I'm not sure that they show up very well.

This blue frame has been made in exactly the same way as the one above, only this time I have coloured the swirls using a white Gelly roll glaze pen.

The flowers here are a mixture of shop bought and hand made.
My Granddaughter Saskia loves checking out the blog to see pictures of her and her twin brother Ciaran. As soon as I open the computer she wants to see them, even though the originals are on display on a shelf in my room. The modern generation and their technology lol.

I've been at work at the garage again today. It's been so busy, they have been queueing out the doors for most of the day.
We are planning a BBQ this evening just like the rest of England, so that will probably be the kiss of death to the weather.
Have a great evening.
Love and hugs
Kimx

PS - Some of the cards that I am making are for Hobby Art's latest TV shows on Create and Craft channel 671. Tomorrow (Tuesday 26th) at 5pm and then two shows on Wednesday 27th at 8am and 1pm.
Don't forget to tune in, and remember you can always watch it on your computer if all else fails.

A palace for a Princess

Evening Everyone.
The phantom cake maker has been at it again.

This castle was made by my Sin-in-law Jason (a tyre and exhaust fitter for those of you who have just joined my blog!!!). It was made for his best friends eldest daughter.

He took over the kitchen for several days and everything has a distinctly dusty feel due to copious amounts of icing sugar that were sifted around, but I think the end result was worth all the effort. Everyone at the party certainly seemed to think so anyway.

My Granddaughter Megan suggested the drawbridge and every thing has a liberal sprinkling of fairy dust although that is very hard to show off in the pictures. Even the grass around the castle has been hand textured, quite a labour of love.

My small contribution was a card from my box for the birthday girl. I made it some time ago with an old Magnolia stamp from Sir Stampalot 1165D Tilda in Boots. The sentiment is by Hobby Art.

I have hundreds of finished cards but very few ready made for little girls or boys so this was quite a find, especially as they didn't ask about a card till they were just about to walk out the door lol.
Have a good evening.
Love Kimx

Happy Birthday challenge at Lili of the Valley

Afternoon
I thought that it was about time I entered a challenge.

I do find it difficult to get around the blogs and check out the challenges at the moment so it was great to see this one from Lili of the Valley pop up in my side bar just as I had finished a couple of cards using their brilliant Die cut sheets.

This first card was made for the Grandchildren to give their Dad on his birthday at the beginning of the month. I'm sure that this is how Jason would have liked to have spent his birthday, but with four children there was no chance lol.

This second card was made for a friends son's birthday which was actually on the same day as Jason. Once again it uses one of the die cut images, this time Having Fun.

I hope that they fit the theme over at the challenge and that you like them.

Have a great evening.

Love and hugs

Kimx

Jenny on the Box

Morning Everyone
Just another quick post and reminder that 'Hobby Art Jenny' will be on the TV this morning. The first show will be at 11am and then there will be another show at 3pm. Both are on Create and Craft Sky channel 671.

As I said yesterday I'm not sure which sets she will be using, so I thought that I would share another couple of cards that I made for the Padded Card class yesterday at Lavender Lane. This first card uses the Snowdrops from the Spring Clear Set. They have been stamped onto a piece of inked background and then cut out using a Nestie. The dark blue panel has been Cuttlebugged down one side and then has had glitter glue smeared across it.

This card uses the large flower from the Anna's Collection Special Wishes  set. Stamp and emboss with white embossing powder and colour using Big and Juicy dye based ink pad. Cut out and mount onto a square of black mirri card. Some punched leaves make all the difference.

This final card uses my favourite Anna's collection - Just for You. The black and white circles have been added over a blue panel stamped with the Cow Parsley.
Hope you like them. Better get on now, my next parcel has arrived from Barbara so I had better get to work the weeks seem to be going by so quickly it will be May before we know it.
Happy Crafting
Love Kimx

Picture This

Evening Everyone
Another lovely day of teaching at Lavender Lane. I always have a wonderful time with my Saturday 'Groupies', lovely ladies who always manage to inspire me with their interpretation of my class.
A couple of the ladies even brought in some work to show me - cards that they had finished at home after a previous class. It is always so nice to see that they have gone home filled with inspiration to try out the techniques that they have learnt with me.

Today we spent the morning making a picture frame. The class was actually inspired by the large frame that I made for the April edition of Craft Stamper (see blog post here).
I made this smaller version with left over pieces from creating the original.

The ladies made their frames from a choice of Bazzil and background papers from the shop. They also added handmade flowers - the table fairly groaned under the weight of flower punches lol.

The little people in the picture are my youngest Grandchildren, I can assure you that they don't always look this cute and angelic!!
We also managed to get the dates for the next class schedule worked out, so all in all a very productive day.
Don't forget that Jenny from Hobby Art will be on Create and Craft tomorrow. (11am - 12midday and then 3pm - 4pm). I'm not sure exactly what she will be doing but I do know that is bound to be as informative as always. I also expect that a couple of my cards might manage to find there way in there.
Have a good weekend.
Love and hugs
Kimx

A little bit of padding

Morning All
Where has another week gone to?

I'm off to Lavender Lane this morning to teach. I will be showing them how to make Padded cards and Picture frames.

Padded cards seem to have become a bit of a trade mark of mine, along with my three little 'somethings' added to a card.

I'm afraid that the pictures don't show the true padded effect, but I hope you get the idea.

Of course we will be using Hobby Art stamps, I do like this Spring set. Lets hope we have some nice sunny weather to go with it.
Must post now before my lift arrives.
Happy Crafting
Love Kimx

White Embossed Resist

Evening Everyone
These are a couple of cards made from some of the sample pieces that I created whilst demoing at the weekend, at Ally Pally.

They are all made with panels of white embossed resist. This card uses my favourite Hobby Art clear stamp set Anna's Collection - Just for You and a Melon Melody Kaleidacolour ink pad.

The card stock was purchased at the show from Limetree Crafts

This card uses the same stamps but a Big and Juicy ink pad this time.

 The background paper mount has been cut out using a Nestie and then the card has been embellished with some peel-off dots and crystals.

 This is again the same stamps and ink pad, and even background paper, but this time I have used a punch along the bottom of the panel and then mounted it over a piece of ribbon. Finishing touch - Card Candy.

And don't forget some crystals along the punched edge.
Look at the time, another late post. Where does the time go to??
Love and hugs
Kimx

Happy Birthday Jason

Morning
Well I did get a bit of a lie in, until one of the minded children arrived unexpectedly. Never mind at least it means that I can get an early post in before I get on.

This is the card that I made for my Sin-in-Law Jason. It was his birthday on Saturday, and he even got the card on time, aren't you impressed!!
It was made using Inkadinkadoo clear stamps (sorry no codes) and some gold embossing and distress inks.

The greeting is by Hobby Art from the Greetings Clear set. This is a really versatile set which I use a lot.
I will try and post again later. The kids are all off to the park for a picnic so it should get a little bit quieter
Have a great day.
Happy Crafting
Kimx

A work in progress

Evening Everyone
I hope you have all been enjoying another lovely sunny day. I'm not good in the sun so it was probably just as well that I was inside again at the show at Ally Pally.

Here is my little area all set up and ready to get to work. It was a bit of a squeeze but good fun as always. I haven't managed to get any cards finished yet, just lots and lots of bits, hence the work in progress lol.

This is a card that I finished just before the show for a friend of mine to give to his wife. It uses another of the lovely Lili of the Valley cute squares. I added a few new ones to my stash while I was there, well it would be rude not to don't you think?

They are pre-coloured, which is not my usual thing, but they are fantastic when time is of the essence. I have matched the elements of the card to the colour of the topper.

I have trimmed away the top of the square and cut around the images with my craft knife. I have embossed this section from the rear and added silicone when it is attached to the card. I've also added some stardust pen to the hair and flowers.

Kevin decided that although it was for a very special birthday, his wife may not appreciate her age being added so we decided to go for 'You are Special' instead. A wise choice I think given how some ladies feel about their age.

I added a large number of flowers to my stash this weekend, all sorts of colours and sizes so I should be set up for a long time to come. Of course I'm bound to find a colour that I don't have at the next show, so I will just have to have it won't I :)

I will try and get a couple of bits finished tomorrow. I have taken the day off. A wise precaution after seven days of very early starts don't you think. I have to say I am really looking forward to a lie in, so God help the Grandchildren and next doors dog if they wake me up too early lol.

Better close now.

Love and hugs

Kimx

Come and say Hello at Ally Pally

Evening Ladies and Gents

I've had another lovely day demoing at Ally Pally.

I do like this show, there are always lots of friendly and familiar faces who stop by to say hello, and it's nice to catch up with stall holding friends as well.

I am demoing for the girls from Lavender Lane. Well at least June and I are there, while Jane and  Paul are doing the show in Shepton Mallet. I think there might be a bit of a competition going on to see who can sell the most Hobby Art stamp sets, so don't forget to stop by and help us out with our target lol.

These two cards were made for Jenny's TV show on 31st March. For once they could actually be seen quite well as they were in stands in front of the stamp set in full view of the camera.

They are both made using the Hobby Art Sentiments Clear set. This is a lovely set with some really nice sentiments that are large enough to go on the inside of a card as well as being suitable for the outside - if that makes any sense. Well it is late lol.

I have used a nice mixture of Nesties, ribbons, flowers and pearls on both the cards.

Off to bed now before I fall asleep while I write this. We have another really early start tomorrow, but I would rather get there early so I can have a good look around before the show starts. I have several stashes of goodies that I have to go and pay for, and I'm sure I will manage to add to them at some stage throughout the show.

Don't forget to pop by and say Hello. I will be playing with inks and of course my favourite Hobby Art stamp sets, until we sell out of course.

Bye for now.

Love and hugs

Kimx

Time for a Cuppa

Evening
What a dull day it has been today after all the lovely sunshine yesterday.
Isn't it odd how much of an effect a little bit of sun has on us. I don't know about you but I feel much more inclined to get on with things when it's nice and bright outside.

This is the card that I made for my eldest daughter Jenni for Mother's Day. With four children of her own and several that she looks after I'm sure there are days when she must feel a bit like this. She did say that she just might have to get a head scarf like this one - I think she would look lovely in it.

The main panel is another of the cute design squares from Lili of the Valley. I have cut it out with a Nestie and mounted it over panels of background paper, a punched border and some lace. Of course no cute card is complete with out some flowers - especially appropriate on Mother's Day.
Off to bed now, I really must get an early night for a change.
Love and hugs
Kimx

Floral Crook

Evening Everyone
This is one of the cards that I made for Barbara for the TV. It uses what was probably my favourite set from this show. It is called the Floral Crook (F559-GG).
I have stamped and embossed it onto white card and coloured it in before spritzing the panel with Glimmer Mist.

Cut the main image out using a circular Nestie and then trim around the flowers and leaves to the left of the crook using a craft knife. Stamp Sunbeam Moonbeam (W28-G) several times on to pink card stock using London Fog Mementos ink and trim to a narrow panel.

Cover a white C6 card with green Bazzil card stock and stamp Morning Glory Corner (NC31-D) into the corners as illustrated. Paint with neat bleach before adding colour.

Trim the pink panel to fit the main card and attach it following the line of the crook.
Finish off with a stitched line using a fine black pen.
I can't believe its still so light, loosing that hours sleep a couple of weeks ago really makes a difference doesn't it.
Have a great evening.
Love and hugs
Kimx

To All the Mum's out there, especially Mine.

Evening
I hope all you wonderful Mothers out there have been suitably spoilt today. I have. I was treated to coffee in bed this morning and roast dinner this evening - how good is that.

This is the card that I made for my fabulous Mum. I know that she will have been well looked after this afternoon as she was visiting my Brother and his family.

I'm not going to be very helpful with stamp information this evening I'm afraid as the elements of this card were stamped out ages a go, it has just taken me a while to put them together - late as usual, no surprise there then, hey Mum!!!

I've done my favourite padded panel as the centre piece and then layered this over a piece of Glimmer misted background paper.

I've been collecting flowers where ever I see them at shows so it was nice to find that I had ones that matched the panels perfectly.
Some added ribbon, pearls, gems and stitching and voila, a card fit for a truly special person - my Mum.
I'm not particularly good with words so I'm going to pinch the ones from the card that my youngest daughter Becki gave me. Actually they made me cry!

When I was younger I never knew just what it took to be a Mum like you.....
But now I'm grown I've come to see what you gave up to care for me.
You put yourself to the back of the queue and all that I am I owe to you.
So thank you Mum for all you've done, you'll always be my number one!!

As Becki said inside the card, I hope the words say it all.
Happy Mother's Day.
Love and hugs to All
Kimx