Frantaged Ferns

Evening Everyone,
As predicted another fabulous class at Davina's today using the Frantage Embossing powders from Stampendous.

Once again I came straight home full of ideas and turned the sample piece that I started in class into a finished card.

I had showed them how the Shabby White powder looks like flakes of snow when a tiny bit is sprinkled on to the card and then heated gently from below.

I also showed them how to cover buttons with a couple of layers of the powder and press a stamp into it while it is still hot and molten.

I even got a little bit carried away and ended up making a second card, although there is actually no Frantage powder on this one, it just uses the same stamps from a Stampendous clear stamp set SSC023 Summer Leaves.

The greeting is from a Woodware clear stamp set, although I know that I have seen the same verse available from several different companies.
I was so inspired creatively that I even managed to finish another of my DT cards, so now I only have three stamps to work with tomorrow which is quite a result.
On that note I think I had better get some sleep, if I can get my mind to shut down that is.
Have a great Sunday. Can you believe it will be the start of December! Only another 30 days and it will be all over for another year lol.
hugs Kimx

A little Christmas Frantage

Hi All,
Another Friday, and another weekend.
I have had a bit of a rest from DT work for the afternoon, I even did a bit of tidying up. Sometimes you just have to walk away for a few hours and then hopefully come back with renewed vigour. That's my hope at least.
I have often thought that even if the person that stares back at you from the bathroom mirror doesn't look any different as the years pass, it is always nice to have it confirmed.
An old school friend of my youngest daughter came into the garage today, and apparently I look just the same as she remembers me from all those years ago (has to be at least 15 years since I last saw her!!)
I like this girl, she quite made my day lol.

I have a class tomorrow on the fabulous Frantage powders, so here are a couple of cards that I made using the Shabby White powder on the die cut snowflakes.

 Tap the diecut image with a Versamark ink pad and then cover it with Frantage powder.

 Make sure that you place the inked image onto a clean piece of paper before you sprinkle on the powder.

 Ask me how I know that little tit bit. Go on I dare you :O)

 This second card also uses the powder on the background stamping as well as the diecut snowflakes.

I always come back from a class in creative mode so I am hoping that I will be able to get stuck in to the last cards that I need to finish this weekend.
Hope you have a good one, and by the way don't forget to tune in to Create and Craft to catch Barbara's last shows for 2013.
Happy Stamping.
hugs Kimx

Warm Wishes

Evening Everyone,
Well I'm on the home stretch now, another two stamp designs finished and only another 4 to go!!
I know that I am not going to get them finished and in the post before the weekend, but I hope that I will be forgiven for that.

Tonight's card is another from my stash of Christmas cards.
I must confess that I have surprised myself with just how many Christmas cards I have managed to make this year. Not every month, but certainly more than I expected. You never know I might get to send them out on time, now that definitely would be a first.

The poinsettia panel is from a lovely Magenta cling set that I have had for years.
I coloured it using Distress inks and then added a few tiny pearls in the centre.
I rather like the non traditional look.
hugs Kimx

Congratulations, Love makes the World go Round

Evening Everyone,
Another late night chained to my desk. Still at least I am two stamps nearer the end of the DT cards that I am currently working on.

I did have one brief break to make this card for a very special couple.
My little Sister and her partner have finally got engaged, it's only taken 20 years, but who's counting lol.

The central image is from Lili of the Valley.
Where would I be in an emergency without their fabulous pre-coloured designs?

The sentiments and background stamp on the kraft card are also from them, and I matched the image to a Magnolia background paper that I had in my stash.

I added a flower and some ribbon and then had to make a very deep box to send it in lol.
The girls from SirStampalot will notice that I finally managed to get hold of the Go Create dies that I was looking for at the NEC. I love this shape, it makes such a fabulous base for a card don't you think.
Congratulations Gail and Alistair, I am so very happy for you.
Here's to many more happy years together.
Love and hugs
Kimx

Catalogue samples

Evening Everyone,
Yeah, the doors shut today, so it hasn't been quite as cold at work.
I'm kind of hoping that the card I'm sharing tonight has not been blogged by me before. I don't think it has but to be honest I'm too tired to look any further back than I have so far.

Once again it was made for the Woodware catalogue, and used up some of the left over bits from one of the other cards that I made. Waste not, want not as they say.

As I said before Gallery pages have to be cards of similar colours so this has used Brilliance ink pads again.

I'm sorry if you are getting a bit fed up with catalogue cards, but there were rather a lot of them to share lol.
I left four boxes of cards at SirStampalot on my recent visit. I take them with me so that they get the chance to photograph them for their gallery.
Unfortunately we were so busy that I had to leave them behind to be sent on to me later which is why I have been limited to cards that I already have pictures of. (All my card making recently is not for sharing, at least not for the moment)
I should get them back soon, or at least I hope so or my Christmas cards will be very late again this year.
hugs Kimx

A Merry Christmas from Hobby Art

Evening Everyone,
Trust me to open my mouth about the weather.
Although it hasn't actually been snowing, no where near in fact, it might as well have been as our front doors at work decided that were going to be permanently open ALL DAY, so it has been FREEZING!!
I know that all of you who work outside will think I'm a wimp but when you work inside a shop you do have a certain expectation that you won't freeze your butt off when you are indoors.
Oh well, let's hope it is a little bit better tomorrow, my new thermal underwear doesn't arrive till the end of the week lol.

With the weather in mind, and Hobby Art due on the box tomorrow, here is a card that I made rather a long time ago using one of their Christmas stamps.

I stamped and embossed the image onto some handmade background paper from my stash and then added some tiny peel-off dots.
I'm not even going to think about what tomorrow will bring weatherwize, I'm just going to set my Sky box for Jenny's show and cuddle down under the covers.
hugs Kimx

On their Wedding Day

Evening Everyone,
Well this weekend went by in the blink of an eye didn't it!!
I haven't set foot outside again today so going out to work tomorrow will be a bit of a shock. I hope it isn't too cold.

This card was made for the daughter of friends who got married on Saturday.

The central image is from Lili of the Valley cut out using a Nestie, and layered onto some gold cardstock.

The white card in the background has been embossed using a folder and my Grand Calibre. I added a little Antique Linen Distress ink to make it stand out a little more.
The sentiment is also from Lili of the Valley, cut out using another Nestie.

I added flowers, pearls, a shrivelled ribbon bow, and some foliage cut out with a Penny Black die that I bought on my trip to SirStampalot.
It's a good job that I can hand deliver this as I didn't have and cardstock big enough to make a box lol.
Thanks for stopping by.
hugs Kimx

Just checking in

Evening Everyone,
I hope that you are having a good weekend and that the weather is not being too unkind in your neck of the woods.
It has felt cold here but as I haven't really ventured outside, or even away from my desk except for coffee and food, I wouldn't really know what the weather has been like.
I'm afraid that with that in mind I have nothing to share with you tonight, except for a desire to check in and hope that you are all safe and well.
I also hadn't realised how late it had got and I have no time to take any pictures. So I will have to make up for it tomorrow.
Back to the desk.
Hugs Kimx

Crimson and Ivy

Here is another of the cards that I made for one of the Gallery pages in a recent Woodware catalogue.
As the name suggests there is more than one card featured on the page but they all have a similar colour scheme which is why you may be forgiven for thinking that I have posted the same card as yesterday.

Once again the central stamped and embossed panel has been coloured using my favourite colours of Brilliance ink pads - Pearlescent Crimson and Ivy.

I love this background paper as well, it compliments the colours perfectly.
I'm going back to my desk, I'm in full creative flow at the moment, so I don't want to stop.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs Kimx
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Black and White with a hint of Brilliance

Evening,
My card tonight was made for Woodware using one of the fabulous stamps designed by Jane Gill.

I have such a great time making samples  for the catalogues, although it is a bit scary having to stick to such a tight timescale.

The panel on this card was stamped and embossed onto watercolour card and then painted using Pearlescent Ivy and Pearlescent Crimson Brilliance ink.
I cut out two of the leaves using a craft knife and put some dark green card behind the openings before layering the panel onto some background paper.
I hope it is a little bit warmer tomorrow, although I'm not holding out too much hope. I have been freezing cold at work all week. Thank goodness it is nearly the weekend and I can hibernate for a couple of days.
hugs Kimx

Who said Poppies had to be red?

Oh Dear, Why is it that the more you have to do the further behind you seem to get??
I am getting no where fast with my urgent and very important DT work, and now I have a couple of very special cards to make as well. I can see some very late nights in my future lol.

This card was made during my recent trip to Peterboro using one of my all time favourite Hobby Art stamps called Bordered Poppies.

I painted the stamped and embossed image using the 'Wet Watercolour Technique' and a Pearlex Palette, and then mounted it onto a piece of embossed card stock.

The background paper has been stamped with Versamark and then dusted with Pearlex Powders. The faux stitched border has been created using a Molly Blooms stamp.
No late night tonight, I'm nodding off.
hugs Kimx

It's a Boy

Evening Everyone,

This card was made using one of my numerous Lili of the Valley die cuts.

I do like to make circular cards, they are always that little bit different.

I followed the circular theme by stamping onto the white background card with pale blue ink and some assorted Hero Arts circle stamps.

The duck and Congratulations are from my button stash and I added some shrivelled ribbon and gems.
I know of several more babies due at the moment so I will have to add a couple more cards to my stash, but not tonight that's for sure.
hugs Kimx

A Pub full of Penguins

Hi All
I have had a break from cardmaking tonight, as I have been to the Pub to help my daughter put the finishing touches to their Christmas decorations.

Becki seems to have inherited the 'Crafty Gene' from my Mum who can draw, paint and sculpt, something that I am rubbish at.

Each of these fabulous works of art started life as a 2 litre coke bottle, some chicken wire and plaster bandages!!!!

 What a difference hours of dedication make. Aren't they fabulous?

They are set to form the centre piece to the Pubs decorations for this year. Unfortunately their Ice Castle still needs a final lick of paint, so I will just have to visit again to see them all in place.
What a hardship that will be lol.
Well done B, they look fantastic.
hugs Kimx

Three Anniversary Cards

I've been doing a little more finishing off after my Magic Stamp class yesterday, instead of just throwing the bits into my class folder for next time. Aren't I the good little girl.

I needed three Anniversary cards so this seemed the perfect way to use up some of the fabulous little pieces of art that I created with my Magic Stamp.

The central panel here was made by pressing the magic stamp into some foliage that I found in Davina's garden. I'm no good with anything horticultural (just ask my Mum) so I have no idea what the plant is called.
The background card has been embossed with a Silver Fern Embossing Folder by Craft Concept.

The panel on this card was created using some fern leaves, also from Davina's garden.

I also used a Stampendous Fern stamp which matched the images perfectly. The tiny buttons and flower are from my stash. I can see that I will have to make a box for this one before it can be sent.

My third and final card was made using a panel created by pressing the heated Magic Stamp onto a Dreamweaver Stencil of some trees.

The embossed background is made using a Darice Embossing Folder and some Co-Ordination card stock. The finishing touches are some punched leaves and black pearls.
I will really have to knuckle down after work tomorrow to some serious cardmaking as I have DT work to finish with a deadline that is fast approaching.
Hugs Kimx

Inspired by Davina

As I expected class today was one long round of playing with the Magic Stamp.
Not a single card was made but I think a good time was had by all.
Here are just a few of the little pieces of Art that were created.
As I said yesterday I had searched through my craft room for anything suitable to use with the Magic Stamp.
Sylvie and I also picked up a few leaves on our way since they always work well.

In fact there is a fabulous Japanese Maple in the front garden at Davina's so we helped out Mother Nature and saved Davina having to sweep up all those leaves.

The central panel on my card was actually inspired by a piece that Davina originally made. You see I always learn something on a class, or pick up an idea or two.
The Magic Stamp was heated and then pressed into the Burlap Fabric Square. 

Once Pigment ink has been applied using a Colorbox Queue a real Maple Leaf was placed on the white cardstock and then the inked Magic Stamp was stamped over the top. Once the maple leaf was removed it left an open space into which I stamped and embossed the sentiment.

The fabulous stamped and embossed leafy panel is a Stampendous stamp which I have coloured using Pigment inks and the Direct to Paper technique.

The single leaf  has been cut from the leafy panel and layered onto some of the threads taken from around the edge of the Burlap fabric square.

Of course there had to be a tag for the Girls to add to their books, and some more bits and pieces to finish off. So you know what I will be up to tomorrow lol.
Hugs Kimx