A little bit of Black and White

Evening Everyone
I hope that you are safe and dry and looking forward to the weekend.
Unfortunately the bottom of our road is starting to resemble the flood of 2000 (see previous blog post for a link to a picture), which is a rather scary prospect for the businesses along the Godstone Road, including the one where my Sin-in-law works.
I'm working on the principle that I will be able to get to class at Davina's tomorrow, but the reality is that we will just have to wait and see.
Any hoo there is still time to enter my Black and White challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers and More.
There have been some fabulous entries so far, and now all I have to do is pick the winners.
That is the bit I hate, how to choose? Love the visiting and seeing what everyone has come up with, gained new friends, got lots of ideas, now if I can just narrow it down!!

Here's a quick card to hopefully give you a little more inspiration.

The floral panel is actually part of a Rollagraph design which I have stamped and embossed onto white card and then mounted simply onto black cardstock with an added stamped sentiment.
Hugs Kimx

Circles

Hi All
I hope that you have had a lovely day. I have just been out for dinner with my youngest daughter. It's her first week back at work, on light duties, so we thought that it was time to celebrate. I do love a good carvery, roast beef and masses of veg, my idea of heaven lol.

I told you that January was a rather birthday heavy month, so here is another that I gave to a Friend last week.
It isn't a new card, in fact I'm hoping that I haven't blogged it before, but as I have a huge drawer full of finished items sometimes it is possible to find something there that fits the bill rather than having to start from scratch.

I love circular cards, in fact circles of any kind are probably the most well used of all the nesties that I own, and that is a fair few lol.
The green background card has been created using stamps (Hobby Art I think), bleach, versamark and clear embossing powder although I'm afraid that the photos don't show things up as well I would like.

The greeting has been stamped and embossed onto vellum and then the tiny leaves have been dry embossed from the back which makes them appear white.
The cascade of smaller circles, they remind me of pebbles, are all cut from the leftovers. Quite an acceptable masculine card I think.
Off to bed now. Back tomorrow.
Hugs Kimx

Jean's Collection Floral Display

Evening Everyone,
Just a very quick post tonight. We were short of staff today so I had to help take in the delivery this morning (in the rain) and then unload it onto the shelves. Given that I usually spent the majority of my shift tied to the till serving customers, as you can imagine I am feeling rather knackered so bedtime it is I think lol.

This card uses the fabulous Hobby Art Floral Display from Jean's Collection (definitely another candidate for my top 100), dye based inks and some bleach.
The swirly background uses dye based inks, versamark and glossy card stock to create Multiple Layered  Resist. Finally I stamped with thin undiluted bleach to give the white rather blotchy images.

The central panel has been stamped and embossed and then coloured using the same colours of dye based ink.
The card was made for the daughter of my best friend whose birthday was this week. I hope that she liked it.
Off to bed now before I fall asleep on my laptop lol.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving all of your wonderful comments.
hugs Kimx

And tonight's leftovers.........

Hi All
Tonight I am continuing with my crusade to finish off some of the 'leftovers' from classes and demos.

It is amazing just how many similar looking pieces you end up with when you  have been teaching and demoing for as long as I have. And of course being the hoarder that I am they are all way too good, or potentially useful to be thrown away, and so another box gets filled!!

Now don't get me wrong, I do have the occasional purge, where the Grandchildren get a bag full of bits for their 'cutting and sticking', but the boxes still never seem to get emptied.
So I have decided that this year I am going to make a concerted effort to empty these boxes out at least a little bit.

Now I didn't say that I wouldn't stamp anything new, just that I would try to use up leftover bits and pieces first before I reach for anything new. Of course it hasn't stopped me buying things, I'm afraid that I am definitely an addict when it comes to my stamping stash. And please don't even think about sending me to rehab, I'm way past saving, and I don't think I want to be cured anyway. At least it keeps me sane lol.

So although the leaf panels (Penny Black) on both of these cards are from my stash, the fabulous background (Hero Arts) has been stamped, embossed and coloured using one of my newly acquired purchases.

And remember how I told you that a piece of vellum can hide a badly stamped greeting, well here is another one of those 'rescue moments'.
As you can see from the opening photo I still have several more pieces to finish, but at least I have made a start. How about you, how are your leftovers?
Hugs and happy crafting
Kimx

A Candle in the Sparkle

Evening Everyone,
Has it been cold in your neck of the woods?
They keep predicting the 'white stuff' and it has certainly been cold enough for it at work today, so here is an appropriately chilly Christmas card.

When I was at the NEC with Imagination in November I did a Make and Take using the fabulous Diamond Sparkle Medium, a brayer and some white card.
It occurred to me while we were playing that it might make a good background to stamp onto, and as there is only one way to find out, I tried it............it works beautifully as you can see. It's just a shame that the sparkle doesn't show up too well in the photos.

I coloured the candle and holly using Promarkers and fussy cut them out before adding them to the main image using silicon.
I kept the rest of the card very simple and just added a 'wiggly' border using a fine permanent pen.
I would like to enter it into the following challenges.
Christmas Card Challenges - Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenges - No Designer Papers
Glitter and Sparkle - Bling it Up
Thanks for stopping by, lets hope this doesn't act as a prediction for tomorrows weather lol.
Hugs Kimx

Thinking of You

Evening Everyone,
I can't believe that it is Sunday evening already, where does the time go to?
I have been playing with a Hero Arts Stamp and Emboss set (657772) which I bought at SirStampalot a while ago but which has lain unused until now.

I do love solid image stamps as you know, but this one has the added advantage of a matching embossing folder. The floral image has been stamped using dye based inks.

I was unhappy with the stamped image so rather than throw it straight in the bin I played around with the embossing folder and some pigment inks. I also added some stamped text directly to the ink on the folder before I ran it through the Cuttlebug.
I'm quite pleased with how it turned out, so I finished off as a card to send to an old friend who is in my thoughts.
Hugs Kimx

Have a wonderful birthday.

Hi All
Have you been having a great day, lots of rest and play I hope, and very little work lol.

My card today was made for a colleague of mine at work whose birthday is tomorrow. She likes purple and blue, so I thought that she would like this.

The three panels have been created using Hobby Art stamps and pigment inks. Some of images have been clear embossed, and then stamped again without adding any more ink to the stamp - this is called Embossed Resist.
I really must get my act together and do some step by step instructions. Maybe that should be something that I add to my 'To do list' for this year!

I chopped my stamped panel into three pieces and rounded the corners before mounting them onto the purple stamped and embossed card.
As I won't be at work tomorrow I left the card by the till for her to find when she gets to work in the morning. I hope she likes it.
hugs Kimx

Spotlight a Butterfly

Morning Everyone,
Wow it's not often that I can say that in a post is it, but I have to work the late shift today so I thought that I had better get it done before I go to work. I know I should schedule but I always forget to set it up :O)

My card today has been made using a very old stamp, but definitely one that would make it into my top 100. It was made by a company called PSX who now sadly no longer exist, but I still love using it.
I have gone for the 'Spotlight' technique here. I think it always looks good, but it is also one of the 'rescue techniques' should your stamped image not be perfect.

I stamped and embossed the image once onto white card stock, and then again onto a piece of background paper. Anything will do, but it is also a great way of using up some of those 'bits' since you don't need to stamp out the entire image. Here I have used a piece of brayered background created using a Kaleidcolour ink pad. The ovals have been punched from this image and then mounted directly over the original making sure to match the images exactly.
Voila, a badly stamped image salvaged, and no one any the wiser, unless you tell them of course lol.
This technique looks just as good with a patterned background and plain spotlight.

I used the same stamp on the purple background card stamping with Versamark ink.
I do hate doing a late shift (I've done it as a favour for a friend at work) I seem to have spent the morning faffing around not getting anything much done. I really must try and finish something or today will feel like a complete waste.
Hugs to All, and have a great weekend.
Kimx

'Hobby Art Jenny' is back on the box

Hi All,
With a little bit of luck. and if Blogger is playing the game, this post has gone live just as 'Hobby Art Jenny' starts her latest show on Create and Craft.
She has 3 fabulous new stamp sets to share with you and I'm sure that she will do some amazing 'Scene it' style cards with them.
I'm never very good with that technique, unless I have something to copy, so I have gone for something more my style. After all what is the point of a DT if we all make everything the same, it's all about showing you lots of the different ways you can use the same stamp set.
Besides which Jenny does 'Scene it's' so well that I will leave it to the expert.

My card uses the Cockerel from the new CS069D Cockadoodledoo stamp set.

When I was a child we used to keep chickens at home, although I don't remember a cockerel strutting its stuff.
I have used background paper from my stash and added some stamped chicken wire, also on the set.

The kraft card was die cut using a Nestie and I added some chicken wire and sponged ink.
I love the tiny worm, I can see him cropping up all over the place.
The sentiment is from one of the other sets that Jenny has on her show. An oldie but a goodie as they say lol.
Hope you enjoy the shows 12pm and 4pm on Create and Craft.
Hugs Kimx

Imagination Butterflies

Hi All
I have a card using one of the wonderful Decoupage Stamps from Imagination for you today.

I think that this is one of my favourite designs, although it is very hard to choose as there are so many nice ones.

I have stamped and embossed the image onto Watercolour card using black Versafine ink and clear embossing powder and then coloured it using Distress Inks.

The trimmed panel has been mounted over a red Fleur de Lie die cut and some Co-Ordination card stock.

I added some hand drawn 'wiggly lines', Glossy Accents and tiny gems. Simple but effective I think.
Off to play some more. Let's see what else I can come up with.
Thanks for stopping by, and for all your fabulous comments, they mean so much.
Hugs Kimx

A little Hello and lots of Birthdays

Hi All

It's been a birthday heavy day today with four cards winging their way to various people, including one of  my Sisters.

This card was hand delivered to a little boy who comes into the garage with his Mum.

I have used a small Lili of the Valley pre-coloured image cut out using a Nestie. It has been simply mounted onto background papers from my stash and a die-cut star border.

I also added a little Glossy Accents to the water in the bowl.

My dinner this evening was provided by another of the Birthday card recipients. None of your birthday cream cakes at the BP. My Guys provide a very nice Biryani., definitely better than cake, in my opinion at least.

Hugs Kimx

A Black and White challenge at Crafty Cardmakers and more

Hi Guys,
It's my turn to host the challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers and more and I am looking for your creations using Black and White only.
That means that they are the only colours that are allowed (apart from flesh colours for skin and normal hair colours) so no other colours should be visible.
I must confess that my theme choice was guided by one of the samples that I had to make for the latest Woodware Spring 2014 catalogue, although it also happens to be one of my favourite colour combos, so elegant and classy.

 My card uses JGS323 Leaf Trio, JGS342 Leaf Quartet and the greeting from JGS334 Daisy Panel.

I stamped and embossed the images onto white card stock using Black Versafine and clear embossing powder. I added a little bit of shadow with some dye based ink.

The two extra leaves have been dry embossed using a large ball tool and then attached using silicon.
The background papers are all available through WOODWARE, who are also one of our lovely sponsors this time, along with DI'S DIGISTAMPS
The Woodware Girls will be joining the rest of the Team this week so don't forget to stop by and show them all some love. They have some truly fabulous samples to inspire you.
I shall look forward to visiting you all.
Happy Crafting, and have a good evening.
Hugs Kimx

A Patchwork Celebration

Evening Everyone,
I can't believe that another weekend is over, but at least it has been a productive one for me.
Dinner out was cancelled last night so I managed to get some Christmas cards finished and some DT work for Jenny at Hobby Art so that was all good.
I also promised to post a card showing one of the Embossing folder techniques that we will be doing in class at Davina's next time (Saturday 1st February)

I saw the idea for the Embossed Bargello background done in white on Sue Wilson's blog, but I decided to try it in colour.

The flowers are stamped and fussy cut using the same coloured card and a lovely stamp set designed for Woodware by Jane Gill.

The brown 'twigs' are all cut from a Dreamweaver Tree die, and I added soem gems to the flower centers using Tim Holtz Rock Candy Distress Stickles.
Better get to bed or I will be shattered tomorrow.
Don't forget there will be a new challenge starting over at Crafty Cardmakers and More tomorrow so why not check it out.
Hugs Kimx

Chalks on Vellum

Hi All
Another fabulous class, and we even had cake, courtesy of Blanche who made us a very tasty Lemon Curd cake. Thank you Blanche.
It was great to see everyone playing with the big box of stamps that I took with me, and also to see people getting ideas from each other, it's what this game is all about after all.
I even manage a few extra tips, like using an image stamped onto vellum to cover up a badly stamped impression on the main piece of work.

Of course chalks work brilliantly on vellum anyway as you can see from the panel on the left hand side of this card. (Another one from the book)

Not much time for playtime this evening as I am off to a belated Christmas meal out, still there is always tomorrow.
Have a good evening.
Hugs Kimx

Chalks, a favourite of mine.

Evening All
Boy has it been wet here today. I really thought that we were going to be in for some major flooding this morning, but fortunately it has subsided without too much damage, except a few more potholes that is lol.

I am teaching one of my all time favourite techniques tomorrow at Davina's - Chalks.

This card was made many years ago as part of a series of cards on 'Chalking' made for a book that I was lucky enough to be involved in.

I chose them as the cover for the book as I loved the bright colours.

I have used some old Hero Arts stamps here, but the technique will work with just about anything.
I have a big box of stamps to take with me tomorrow for the girls to play with, and loads of card samples for inspiration. Well, I did say that it was a favourite of mine didn't I.

As you can see here this technique works every bit as well on vellum so I have packed some of that as well.
I know that the girls will have a great time, and so will I.
Mustn't forget to take milk, there is always some serious tea and coffee consumption and I wouldn't want to run out - Gill would never forgive me :O)
Have a good weekend.
Hugs Kimx

Hexagon Patchwork

Hi All,
Have you had a good day. It's still quite wet here, in fact we are on flood alert for the underground river that runs near us. The last time the Bourne River burst it banks was in December 2000 and the main road was closed for over 3 weeks. This is what it looked like outside the garage where I now work, then I worked opposite in the Tyre and Exhaust Fitting Centre (the yellow building half way down on the right.)
Now to get back to crafting. Remember I told you that I had a nice box of punched hexagons, well this is to show you that I do use them!!

I sat the other evening and made two sheets of background paper using hexagons that matched my central panel, and then patchworking them back together.

This is one of the cards that I finished using them.
It was very therapeutic I must say, and a great way of using up those little bits of paper too good to throw away.

The central image is one of my ever expanding collection of Lili of the Valley stamps. And yes Sylvie it is a stamped, embossed and coloured by me image, not a topper lol.
I used Distress Inks to colour the image and added some Glossy Accents to the cup, TV remote and peel-off dots.

The hexagons have all been distressed with a very old pinecone Versacolour cube before they were stuck to a sheet of DSST. I also added some faux stitching to each of them.
I would like to enter this into the following challenges
Lili of the Valley Monthly Challenge - Anything Goes.
Cardz 4 Guyz - Happy Birthday
Off to punch a few more hexagons as my paper box needs a bit of a sort out and there are bound to be a few small bits of paper there that will be perfect for punching.
Have a good evening.
Hugs Kimx

Teasels

Evening Everyone,
Just a very quick post tonight, I have been having way too much fun playing and the time has just got away from me.

This is another of the cards that I finished after class on Saturday. I just love these teasels.

The detail on the stamps is amazing, even when the image is heat embossed.

I added some Faux Card Candi and gems coloured to match the sponged background using my Promarkers.
Must go now or I will never get up in the morning.
Night night.
Hugs Kimx