More coffee.

Evening Everyone,
It has been another coffee fuelled day, but a creatively successful one which is always good.
I have managed to get on top of some DT projects, a commission, and cards for a couple of friends so I am a very happy bunny. Now if I could just get my phone to hold a charge..................me thinks I need a visit to a phone shop, but when to fit it in lol.

This is another card that I made a while ago using some background paper created using diluted instant coffee granules.

I have used the fabulous Stampendous Zentangled Leaves stamped and embossed on more of the 'coffee paper' and then coloured with diluted coffee and white pen.

There are a set of dies to match the leaves which makes cutting them out so much simpler.
I also used some small die cut leaves and plenty of silicon.
I think this might have to be a hand delivered card for someone or else it will cost me a fortune to post :O).
Off to bed now so blog visiting and comments will have to wait till tomorrow.
Night, night and hugs
Kimx

Coffee Anyone??

Evening Everyone,
It has taken a lot of coffee to keep me going today, so I thought that I would share a few cards with you that I made using tea/coffee to create both the background papers and also paint with.

The background to this first card has been created by soaking a piece of card in a tray of diluted coffee granules (remember making aged paper as a kid?) I then sprinkled a few of the coffee granules on to the wet paper and left it to dry.
I used embossing folders and brown dye based ink for extra shading.

The background paper to this card was made in a similar manner although I first stamped and embossed in white and then screwed the paper up to give added texture.
I also added some glimmer mist to the background and coloured the main image with Watercolour Pearlex.

The background here was made the same way as for the first card. The main image was also coloured using diluted coffee granules.

The panel has been die cut using a fancy Couture die and then layered onto teal coloured card stock.

This card uses another of Jane Gill's designs for Woodware randomly stamped and embossed onto a piece of the coffee backround paper, and then coloured using Watercolour Pearlex.
Better slow down the coffee consumption if I am going to get any sleep tonight I suppose lol.
Back tomorrow.
Hugs Kimx

Sketch 50 at Woodware

Morning All
It's my turn over at Woodware to share a card made using this weeks sketch.

I have used a piece of background from my stash and stamped and embossed one of Jane's new stamps Whimsical flower Sally Anne on to it.

I cut the panel out using a large circle die, but you could always draw around a plate. I also matte and layered it onto white.

Some of the colour has been removed from the background using a baby wipe through a diamond stencil, and then I have added a little glitter glue using a piece of Cut'n Dry felt while the stencil is still in place.

 The finishing touch is a greeting from another of Jane's stamp sets and some Card Candi.

I rather liked the sketch (see HERE) so I made a second card.

Why not check out what the rest of the DT have made, a sketch is a great place to start if you are stuck for an idea.
Hugs Kimx

A couple of Birthday cards

Afternoon Everyone,
I have managed to get a couple of birthday cards in the post this week despite feeling lousy, but knowing my luck I will probably find that they are still on my desk, especially given that I didn't press send on my post for Tuesday even though I could have sworn that I had!!

These cards were made using another couple of Jane's floral stamp sets.
I tried stamping and embossing the main panel using both black ink and clear embossing powder and versamark ink and white embossing powder before sponging with dye based inks, to see which I liked best.

The background panel has been created using my trusty Gelli Plate, large bubble wrap and the same colour inks as for the main panel.

I also black stamped and embossed some more more images across the back panel, and added a piece of shrivelled ribbon.

This second card uses the same elements, except for the ribbon that is.
I'm off for another lie down, this feeling like crap is no fun.
Better double check that I pressed publish lol.
hugs Kimx

Sorry you are not feeling your Best

Evening Everyone,
I am definitely not feeling my best today, but not because I am sick, unless you count sick and tired lol.
It has been a very long day, and I have come to the conclusion that my patience has disappeared along with the years.
Everyone at work seems to have been on a mission to be as obnoxious and stupid as possible today .... both staff and customers.
Still I'm sure that that is nothing a good nights sleep won't fix. And that will need to be soon as I have to be in at 5 am tomorrow to help out Boss.

So this is for all of you, and especially those of you that are not feeling your best for a medical reason.
I was going to share some closeups, but now the bloody Internet is out to get me as well!!!!!!!
Hugs Kimx

Edited to include close up pictures

Still not feeling my best

Evening Everyone,
Just a very quick post tonight, before I go back to bed.
I came home early today and have spent it curled up under a blanket feeling dreadful.

So this one is for me and anyone else feeling under the weather.
hugs Kimx

Dies and/or Punches at CCM

Afternoon Everyone.
We have a new challenge starting today over at CraftyCardmakers.
Maike is our host this time, and her chosen theme is Punches and/or Dies.

I had a fabulous time recently creating my own embossing folders using die cut or punched shapes, so it seemed the perfect card to share with you for this particular challenge.

The sentiment is also a die cut so that counts as well.

The flowers use the same fabulous Sue Wilson die set that found its way into my shopping basket when I was at SirStampalot last year.

I have also used a stencil and some clear texture paste on the background.

The leafy swirls are by Sue Wilson as well.

 As usual I got a little bit carried away using up all of the leftovers.

 I used Frantage powder on the leafy swirls this time,

and here I used the leftover pieces from the die cut sentiment.
I hope that you enjoy our challenge. Why not pop over and see what the rest of the team have made to inspire you.
Happy Crafting and hugs
Kimx

Floral Window Cards.

Evening Everyone,
I hope that you have had a wonderful 'crafty' weekend.
I have spent today finishing off some bits and pieces from a previous class, so I am feeling very pleased with myself.
It got too late for pictures so I will share them with you another time.

These cards were made a while ago using a technique that I learnt from my lovely blogging buddy Mynnette on one of the numerous challenge blogs that she has run over the years.

She called the technique Stamped Punched Window Cards  and I love it, in fact I won the challenge lol. 

Of course you can just as easily use the stamped panel on its own as I have done here. It just seemed too nice to cut into.
Lets hope these nice bright floral cards are reflected in the weather tomorrow. It would be so nice to be warm at work for a change.
Hugs Kimx

Handmade Embellishments

Morning Everyone,
It's my turn to 'Create Embellishments' for the Woodware blog.

I love making flowers so it was a bit of a no-brainer when it came to choosing what I was going to make as my embellishments.

They can be a little bit time consuming and require a bit of work, but the beauty of them is that you can make them in what ever colour or style you like to suit your chosen project.

No more searching through a drawer full of flowers to find that they are all the wrong colour for what you want.

Once again I looked on Pinterest for inspiration, of which there was plenty, and settled on these shabby flowers created using several different sizes of scalloped punch and some pages out of an old poetry book.
You will find a link to the flower tutorial HERE although I did adapt it slightly.

I also used a leafy Dreamweaver die to create the background to the card.

Or at least I used the leftover kraft card after I had die cut the leaves from it.
This was also an idea that I got on Pinterest (HERE).
I added some faux stitching around the edge of the kraft panel and also a few dots of platinum glitter glue.
I hope you have enjoyed our posts this week, why not check out what the rest of the team have been up to.
Have a great weekend.
Happy Crafting and hugs
Kimx

A Floral Upcycle

Afternoon All,
I'm so glad that it's Friday, and that it has warmed up a little, here at least. I just hope that we don't get the arctic weather that is due to hit some parts of the world any minute now!!

I have done a little bit of upcycling with this card which was made for a previous Woodware catalogue.

One of the boys at work needed a 50th birthday card, in a hurry as usual, it just need to be red and for a lady called Lynda.

I found this card in my box and as time was of the essence I added some die cut letters,

 an 'It's your day' sentiment to the centre of the button,

and some black sparkly Card Candi.
Now if I had been thinking I could have used this as my post for the Woodware Blog this week where we have been 'Creating Embellisments', but you will just have to check back tomorrow to see what I created for that lol.
Have a great evening.
Hugs Kimx

Heat Embossed Grasses

Evening Everyone,
I am making a concerted effort to work my way through the boxes of cards that I have made, and photos that I have taken over the years and share them here with you.

I love this stamp designed by Jane Gill, it has to be one of my all time favourites.

I do love silhouette style stamps as they are so versatile, especially if, like me, you are not very good at 'proper' colouring in.

I have used what I like to call 'Resist with a Twist' stamping for this card.
You can stamp the main image (grasses) onto pre-printed background paper as here,

 or you can create your own background and stamp over the top of that.

Text stamps also work well with this particular technique.
Oh dear another late night, but then I have spent a fabulous afternoon and evening with old friends and family including three young babies so who cares.
Night night.
Hugs Kimx

Dreaming of the Perfect Holiday

Afternoon Everyone,
All this cold weather must be making me think of holidays, and although I don't do beaches or hot weather I do look forward to my week away...........playing at SirStampalot.
Janice and Andy very kindly set me up with a large table at the front of the shop, near the Training Room, and there I sit for a week.

Well I don't sit down for the entire time you understand, I do try to be active as well as creative.

I'm in charge of tea making, breakfast and occasionally lunch, and I do run up and down the stairs to fetch stock if needed!!

I also try to walk the last 2 or 3 miles into the shop each day so that I do get some exercise.

The creative muscles also get a good workout as there is always a 'challenge box' ready and waiting for me, and of course a couple of classes to prep for.

This card was made for one such class using the Gelli Plate.

I also used dye based inks, a brayer and some fabulous Woodware stamps.
I have been so very cold at work today. Maybe this will help me remember the warmer weather that we will hopefully be getting soon, and my next 'holiday' which is also just around the corner. Well only a couple of months away anyway.
Have a great crafty evening.
Hugs Kimx