Christmas and Clarity on Create and Craft

Evening Everyone,
Where, oh where does the time go to? I think I've just about run out of it when it comes to Barbara's cards. I may be able to squeeze in one more before I deliver them to her tomorrow evening, but you never know.

As the TV show on Sunday (Create and Craft channel 671 10am - 12pm and 3pm - 4pm) is on Christmas I thought that these samples that I made for one of the shows last year would be appropriate for tonight's post.

 I try to take photos of all the cards that I make, but as I can't share them until after the show has aired they sometimes get lost in the backlog when there are so many other things to post for you.

Anyway better late than never don't they say. Hope you can join us for the show.
I can't believe how late it is. I must get to bed now. I really must remember not to drink Red bull so late in the evening. Let's hope a bit of TV will send me to sleep lol.
Love and hugs
Kimx

Woodware Challenge Week 6 AND Woodware USA !!

Evening Everyone
What a difference a day makes!
We Brits are never satisfied with the weather are we, we have to have something to have a moan about.
There we were yesterday complaining that it was so hot and sticky that we couldn't sleep and so today it decides that we will get thunder, lightening and torrential rain!!!! As usual it picked school pick up time, so as I was late leaving work again I got absolutely soaked just walking the short distance from work to my house.
I'm not sure that it is actually any cooler here, but at least I get out of watering my Sin-in-laws plants tonight so that's a result lol.

As busy as I am this week with cards for the TV, and Make and Takes for the Craft Show on Sunday I had to enter the challenge over at Woodware. This week the theme is Birthday Wishes.

This card is made using a piece of handmade background paper and a beautiful peel-off design from Magenta called Boxed Flowers.

The background paper is made using Adirondack Colorwash ink and cling film. When this is dry one of the peel-off designs has been placed on the background and then the flower and leaves have been painted with bleach. Of course no flower is complete without a gem.

The greeting, which I must admit is by Hobby Art, has also been stamped onto a piece of the background paper and then Crackle Glossy Accents has been added over it.
I decided that as this card fitted the colour theme on the Woodware USA Challenge I would enter it there as well. Nothing ventured, nothing gained lol.
I can see that I am going to have to leave the fan on again tonight, it is still really muggy and warm here.
Hope you get a descent nights sleep.
Love and hugs
Kimx

A quick trip to Hobby Art

Evening Everyone
Wow hasn't it been hot again today.
Just a quick post tonight before I try and get some sleep, although I'm not sure just how successful that is likely to be lol.

I went for a quick visit to Hobby Art this afternoon with Davina from  Stampcraft. It really was a flying visit to collect some things for the Craft Show this Sunday at Royal Russell School in Croydon.
Jenny has very kindly loaned me some stamp sets for the Make and Takes that I will be doing at the show. We had time for a cuppa while some of the stamps were made for us to sell, so they really are 'hot off the press' lol.

I thought that this would be an appropriate card to post this evening as it uses a couple of Hobby Art stamps. I sent this to my Mum for Fathers Day.
The stamped image has been painted with bleach to produce the white areas.
I think I might have to put the fan back on to cool the room down a little, it's very stuffy. Oh dear we are never satisfied are we?
Nite nite
Love Kimx

In the Shadows

Evening Everyone
Have you had a good weekend?
It's still very quiet here, which seems very weird, and its been unbearably hot so I really haven't got as much done as would have liked, but that seems fairly normal don't you think. The weekend always seems to go by in a flash and then it's Monday again.

These are a couple of the cards that I made for the afternoon class at Lavender Lane on Saturday. The class was on Shadow Stamping. It's a great way of creating a coloured background.

With this first card, having created the background I have then used the same colour ink pad  to stamp my favourite Hobby Art Anna's Collection Just for You across the bottom and top edge of the panel. The greeting has been stamped onto a torn strip of vellum using Stazon ink.

This second card has a similar background only this time I've stamped and embossed the flowers in black to give a more dramatic contrast.

Once again I've added a torn strip of vellum which I have inked along the edges. No greeting this time although I might add one at a later date.
I often do that to a card, add a greeting when I've decided who the card is to be sent to, and for what occasion.
I'd better get to bed now before it gets too much later.
Nite nite. Love and hugs
Kimx

Tea or Coffee anyone?

Afternoon All
I hope that you are all enjoying the beautiful weather that we are having today.
Why is it though that it always has to be so extreme? One minute we have torrential rainfall and the next it's so hot that I don't know what to do with myself. I'm afraid that the heat and I don't mix so having just hung up the washing that's me done for for a while so I thought that I would sit with a cold drink and blog.

I had another lovely day of classes at Lavender Lane yesterday. Some of my 'Groupies' were there, including Gill back from her hols. Unfortunately she could only make the afternoon class so she missed out on this one which would have been just up her street, Sepia cards but we used tea and coffee to make the background paper and paint the images with!!!!!!

Unfortunately the store will be closing its doors full time at the end of July, although they will still be open on a Saturday through out August. Because of this I knew that their range of sepia inks would be a little limited so I decided to think outside the box.

Like almost everyone at one time or another I have aged paper with a soggy teabag, school projects with my girls and Grandchildren spring to mind. But I have also made aged paper using a tray of instant coffee and then a few granules sprinkled onto the paper once it is out of the tray and waiting to dry. (See my blog post for the 10th June Coffee Anyone ?)

What I have never tried before though was actually painting with the coffee. As you can see I think that it works really rather well. The Hobby Art Poppy Spray has been stamped and embossed using Sepia Versafine ink and then coloured in using a strong mix of instant coffee.

All of the papers have been made either using a wet teabag or the instant coffee mix, I even tried putting screwed up cling film on the very back piece to give that lovely frosted effect.
I added some stamping to the papers using the Hero Arts Leaf Flourish. I know that this is one of Brenda's favourites and I love it too, we have very similar taste in stamps me thinks lol.
I am entering this into the challenge over at Sketch Saturday since I have used their lovely sketch when making the card.
I think I have rested enough now, so I will make a spot of lunch and then get back to the card making, I am so behind with everything.
Have a great day, Happy Crafting
Love and hugs
Kimx

Happy Birthday Sis

Hello All
June has been a particularly busy month for me, especially with birthdays.
Today was my sister Gail's birthday and I really hope that she likes the card that I have made for her.

The main image is another of the wonderful die cut images from Lili of the Valley. I'd like to think that this is Gail and I sharing a cuppa and lots of sisterly secrets.

I am still very much into my easel cards and circular ones too so I have used the largest of the giant circular nesties that I can put through my cuttlebug to make the main card and then a Marianne Creatable frame circle to create the circular panel that the image sits on. I've also added some white stitching and pearls.

The main white card has been sponged with distress inks to match the pink background paper, and then stamped over with my favourite Magnolia swirl stamp.
'Sister' is from an old clear stamp set that I found amongst my vast stash. I added the extra 'S' at the end.

The circular greetings are also from Lili of the Valley and the blue and pink flowers are all handmade by little old me. Yes I did need to make a box for it Gilly, but I think that it was worth the effort lol
I hope that my little sis has had a wonderful birthday and is enjoying a well deserved glass of something cold.
Happy Birthday Hun xx
Love and hugs
Kimx

Woodware Challenge times three

Evening Everyone
I hope that you have all had a good day.

Well I did tell you that I liked Black and White and that I had found lots of cards to enter into the Woodware Challenge.

I suppose technically these don't qualify since they do have the addition of pale pink and green, but as they were made using a Woodware appropriate stamp set JRCL308 - Flower Frames I thought that I would share them with you anyway.

The background has been made using another item available from Woodware - the stylus tool. Once I have heated it with a light bulb I have pressed it onto a small stamp which has created a negative image, This has then been used to create a mosaic pattern with brilliance ink pads.

This card uses the same stamp set and handmade background paper. The central image has also been painted using the brilliance ink pads.

This final card was actually inspired by one that I saw at Sir Stampalot. One of the DT members made it but I'm afraid that I can't remember which one of you it was. Sorry Girls lol

This is probably nearer the challenge but the original idea wasn't mine. Of course I have added a little bling to mine with some pink gems.
I think three entries is quite enough for this week so I will wait and see what the new challenge is on Monday. I hope that maybe my efforts will inspire some more people to join in the fun.
Nite nite
Love and hugs to All
Kimx

More Black and White for the Woodware Challenge

Evening Everyone,
As I told you yesterday it wasn't difficult to find cards for the Black and White challenge over at Woodware, so I thought that I would enter a couple more.

This was made using another rather old Stampendous stamp. It was from the Window Art collection, but I'm afraid that as with most of my wood mounted stamps they are very well loved and all the info has been rubbed away. I couldn't bare to part with any of them so I'm afraid that my collection just gets bigger and bigger, I really am a stampaholic lol.

I have stamped and embossed the image onto white card and then coloured the image with ink from a black brilliance ink pad. I do like my black glossy card to give the image a narrow border when mounting.

This card uses another of the Window Collection L144 Butterfly Bloom Window. Once again I have mounted the images onto black glossy card stock and then added some vellum and peel-off lines.

Perhaps this is a little outside the theme but I know that some people don't like just black and white so I have added a hint of colour - in this case pink brilliance ink to some of the flowers.
My class this evening was cancelled so perhaps I should take advantage of the extra time and get an early night. Then again I do need to finish the classes for the weekend, and then there are cards to make for Barbara, and Jenny and and and........
Oh well it was a nice thought. Back to the craft table :)
Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to enter the challenge.
Love and hugs
Kimx

Woodware Challenge week 5 - Black and White

Evening Everyone,
Lets see if I can post this time without mishaps :) I don't know what was going on with my Internet last night but there I was blog post all written and ready to go and suddenly no connection at all.
I wonder if it may have had something to do with AOL as my home page seems to have changed but then what would I know lol.

I'm entering the challenge over at Woodware again.This week it is Black and White, which has to be one of my all time favourite combinations - so classy.  Bring it on Diane, is it just you and me again he he. 

It wasn't hard to find several cards that fit the theme so I thought that I would share more than one, in fact I think I may have to enter twice. Is that allowed Dorothy?

This first card uses one of the wonderful Stampendous Agapanthus stamps. The background to the card has been created with Shadow Stamps. I am actually teaching this technique at Lavender Lane on Saturday so this will give the ladies a heads up on what to expect. 

This second card  uses the Stampendous Agapanthus Cluster. I really do own other Stampendous stamps but this has to be one of my all time favourites.
It is actually a very simple card but a little creative mounting and it makes it look much more impressive.

The greetings on both cards are from Hobby Art.
I must go now as I still have to link this post and then some well earned sleep.
Nite nite and sweet dreams.
Kimx

Starburst Stains and Flowers

This post was all ready last night and then my internet went down so I am posting it now.

Evening Everyone,
I can't believe how quickly Monday has come around again.

Here is a card that I made from a piece of background paper using the wonderful Starburst Stains and cling film.

The background is made by painting a piece of card with Icicle Creek Starburst Stains. While it is still very wet lay a piece of screwed up cling film over it and leave it to dry. This can take about an hour depending on how wet the card was in the first place. The longer you leave the cling film in place the better the effect. 

The mica powders suspended in the Starburst stains settle in the cavities created by the cling film and when it is removed you are left with the most amazing backgrounds. No two are ever the same, which can be very frustrating lol.
When the background is completely dry stamp and emboss using black versafine and clear embossing powder. Surprise surprise I've used my Hobby Art Anna's collection Just for You.
Hope you like it.
Happy Crafting
Love and hugs
Kimx

More Shaving Foam and Starburst Stains

Good Morning
I had hoped that the weather was going to be a bit brighter today after the torrential rain and thunder we had yesterday, but I think I'm mistaken. It's looking quite dark here so I will expect a downpour at any moment.
The cat is obviously concerned about me being lonely as she has deposited two little presents on the door mat this morning. The mouse population is minus another two of its members lol.

This is another card that has been made using the shaving foam background technique. Why not check out the tutorial over at Splitcoast Stampers.
I've stamped onto it using Hero Arts Real Fuchsia H3259 and Hobby Art Anna's Collection Just for You. The greeting is also from Hobby Art.

The main background on the card has been made using the wonderful Starburst Stains and clingfilm.
The Starburst Stains are available from The Stampman.
Still no rain but its quite windy and not very nice.
Back to the crafting. Maybe I'll check in again later.
Thanks for stopping by. Please don't forget to leave me a comment they are always appreciated.
Happy Crafting.
Love and Hugs
Kimx

A challenge or two

Evening Everyone
Well, the family are safely settled into their little house in Devon after a few stops along the way. Unfortunately Saskia was sick several times on the journey but Megan looked after her in true big Sister fashion. I'm sure Mum and Dad will find her a little treat to say Thank you, I think she deserves it.
I have had a fairly successful days crafting although I don't like all this quiet - no screaming or arguments it seems very weird lol.

This is a card that I was asked to make for a friend to give to his brother. I've made it using a sketch over at Sketch Saturday so I am entering it into their challenge. Check it out.

It has been made using one of the lovely Lili of the Valley images from their die cut sheet Take it Easy cut out with a Nestie. I've added some faux stitching around the edge.

The challenge over at Allsorts is a recipe - 3 papers, 2 ribbon and one flower so I am entering it into that challenge as well. The flower has been made using a Magnolia DooHickey Christmas Poinsettia.

There are several greetings on the card including this one from Lili of the Valley. Brother is taken from a Woodware clear set called Male Relatives (FRCL079) and Birthday Wishes is from another clear set, this time made by Hero Arts.
All the papers and ribbon are from my stash. How come this never seems to get any smaller no matter how many cards I make?
I hope you like the card. Don't forget to check out the challenges.
Love and hugs
Kimx

Woodware challenge week 4 - a bunch of flowers

Morning Everyone
Hope you are all having a good weekend.
It's been chaos here helping Jenny and Jay try to pack everything in to the car for the holiday. Talk about trying to fit a quart into a pint pot, I think they might have to tie the kids to the roof rack, or leave then here with me lol.

This is a card that I am entering into this weeks Woodware Challenge - A bunch of flowers. It uses a very old Stampendous stamp which appears to have been discontinued, but I like it anyway. The stamp is so old and well used that all the info has rubbed off it so I can't even give you that I'm afraid !!

The card is actually very basic stamping and embossing onto a pink piece of card. I have then masked the entire image and stamped around the edge using versamark and another stamp from the same Botanicals collection.

A section of the image has been stamped and embossed onto vellum which has then been added to the card using spray mount. I have coloured the flowers using the Pearlex Interference Palette.

The van is all packed up and they have now left for Devon. It really is very quiet here. As you can see they really are well loaded. They usually take a caravan with them, I think perhaps they needed a trailer at least this year :)

Jenny makes sure that they all have a bag full of things to keep them occupied on the journey and as you can see they are already engrossed in a game.

Mr Cool Dude is just about visible.

Although I really hope that they get some hot weather while they are away I do hope that today is a little cooler for the long journey.
Saskia was sick before they left so we have packed the obligatory bowl and kitchen roll and Megan is going to have to be a good Big Sister and deal with it should it be necessary.
I must get on now I have lots of cards to make.
Happy Crafting.
Kimx

Leaves amid the shaving foam

Evening All
Finally, as promised, here is another of the cards made using the shaving foam background.
The rain doesn't seem to have let up here for long so I ended up taking them in to work and photographing them amongst the bunches of flowers :)

This again uses Adirondack Colorwash inks and shaving foam to create the background and then a Penny Black leaf stamp (Schizeas 3376H) has been randomly stamped and embossed over it.

I've continued the colour theme with my choice of card stock. A border punch, some stitch and Hobby Art Birthday Greetings complete the card.
I hope the weather picks up tomorrow as the family are off on their hols. At least they won't be in the caravan this time but it would be so much nicer for them if the sun shines. Here's hoping.
Nite nite
Love Kimx