Birthday Funtime

Evening Everyone,
Oh well that's playtime over with for a while.
It has been lovely to get caught up with things even if it is only for a couple of days.
I began to think that the weather was going to do it's usual thing on Thursday when I visited my Mum and rain. But although it wasn't as glorious as Wednesday, it has still been very pleasant, in fact even today hasn't been too bad.... for a Bank Holiday.
One of the numerous cards that I needed to make during my time off was one for my Sin-in-law's birthday.

He always works so hard, bless him, that this is how he deserved to spend his birthday, playing on his PlayStation. 

I used an old LOTV topper cut out with a circular die and layered onto a piece of handmade background.

The background paper was created using a combination of inks and mica powder,

and of course plenty of stamping and embossing using Frantage powders.
We are using Imagination Stamps at Davina's tomorrow which will be fun, so I suppose playtime isn't completely over.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, what ever you are up to.
Happy Crafting and hugs
Kimx

Things wirh Wings at CCM

Evening Everyone,
Sorry that this is a little later than planned, I have been having a fun filled couple of days playing with some of my new toys.
I have been killing two birds with one stone, finishing off some of the cards that I need to send out this month, so I haven't been totally naughty.
Yesterday saw the start of a new challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers where our host Mary is looking for Things With Wings. Anything with wings will count, birds, butterflies and other insects, fairies, aeroplanes, even hearts as long as they have wings!

I chose a huge butterfly stamp from Chocolate Baroque for my card.

I stamped and embossed the image onto vellum and then dry embossed sections of the design on the reverse to create 'whitework'.

Vellum is always difficult to mount as any form of glue tends to show through, so I wrapped the panel around a square of patterned card stock and taped it down using DSST.
I added some faux stitching to match the white die cut panel and then finished it off with a white peel-off sentiment.
Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to check out what the rest of the DT have created to inspire you.
Happy Crafting and hugs
Kimx

So Excited I'm doing a Happy Dance

Evening Everyone,
I was caught doing a little happy dance a couple of weeks ago when I found out that I am back on the DT for Woodware stamps.
I love Jane's designs, they are always a joy to work with.
Just so you know I love Francoise designs too, but I only get to make samples for Jane's new stamps.
The new stamps are due to launch on Monday, but as I saw them at Ally Pally at the weekend I hope that I won't be in too much trouble if I share one of my samples tonight. It is nearly Monday after all given the time lol.

As the weather has been so warm today I thought that this beautiful sandcastle seemed very appropriate as my first share.

I used a piece of mop-up watercolour background from my stash to stamp and emboss the main image (sandcastle, bucket and spade)

I added a little extra colour using Distress Inks and a Glitter pen

The sun and the sentiment from the same set were also added to this panel.

I stamped, embossed and coloured several of the starfish and shells and fussy cut them out before layering them over thread which I wrapped around the bottom of the card.

As a final touch I added some Glossy Accents to the bucket and spade.
I think this is fun set for those summer birthday cards and also would be great for a scrapbook page to capture some of those beach time memories.
I am so excited to be back on the team, and look forward to sharing more of Jane's fabulous designs over the next couple of weeks.
We are going to have a play day with these new designs at Davina's in a couple of weeks time so if you are free why not join us.
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Crafting and Hugs
Kimx

A most successful day.

Evening Everyone,
I hope that you have had a wonderful Saturday. We made it to Ally Pally without a hitch, in fact the supposed strike didn't seem to affect us at all I'm pleased to say. Maybe we scared them with our determination lol.
I think we all had a fabulous, if tiring day, and I know that I for one overspent massively, but then you can't take it with you can you!!
I managed to get my Distress Oxide Inks, well a couple of them at least, it was very difficult deciding which colours to try first.
My bag was groaning after my visit to BJ Crafts for my Imagination products, again it was difficult to narrow down my colour choice.
I visited Hobby Art Jenny a couple of times (she is still talking to me despite my lack of samples) and caught up with quite a few old friends. All in all a very enjoyable day.
I am not even going to attempt anything tonight. I'm not sure my brain could handle it. I think I will call it a night and start fresh tomorrow.
Bye for now.
Hugs Kimx

Don't mess with a determined crafter

Evening Everyone
I've finished work for a few days now, booked playtime, because I'm off to Ally Pally tomorrow with Davina and 'The Girls'.
Typically there is a train strike planned in our neck of the woods, but we are hardened Crafters, and women, so we will not be beaten :O)
Plans seem to have changed about a dozen times. Poor Sylvie has been texting for England as she is our designated Chief Liaison Officer lol.
I think we are all armed with a long list of goodies that we just HAVE to buy.
I definitely want some of the new Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks and lots of things from Imagination Crafts.
It is also a chance to catch up with old friends and blogging buddies, so if you are going, drop me a line and we can arrange to meet up at one of the stands.

One of the ones that I will have to visit will be Hobby Art, where I will get the chance to catch up with Jenny for a few minutes.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to get anything done for her live show on Sunday, so I hope that she will still be talking to me :O)

My card tonight is one that I made for her last sell out show a couple of weeks ago. It uses some of the smaller stamps from the fantastic CS164D Trees. I LOVE that set.

Jenny will tell you that I don't usually 'do' scene-it style scenes, so I was really pleased with how this one turned out.

The die cut leaves at the bottom of the card have been shaped slightly and attached using silicon glue to give them some extra dimension.
Better get myself sorted ready for tomorrow. Plans have been finalised, so god help Southern Rail if they make any more changes. They will have some determined ladies on their hands, and we are definitely not to be messed with. You can't come between a serious stamper and a craft show.
Have a great weekend, what ever you are up to.
Happy Crafting and hugs
Kimx

A Host of Golden Daffodils

Afternoon,
What a beautiful Spring day it has turned into. It seems that just at the moment we are getting one glorious day followed by one that is overcast and threatening rain.
It was the same last week when I walked Emma to Caterham in brilliant sunshine, she even had her sunglasses on and looked very cute, and the next day we needed our wellie boots.
Hey ho it is still early I suppose, so anything could happen on the weather front.
I think one of the best things about this time of year are all the beautiful daffodils which show that Spring really is here.
Jenny at Hobby Art took a beautiful Daffodil stamp set on to Hochanda recently CS162D Daffs and Bells.

I stamped and embossed the daffodils onto white card stock and then coloured them with Decorating Chalks and a cotton wool ball.

After fussy cutting them out I mounted them on to my card using silicon glue.

The central panel on the card has been stamped and embossed using one of the verses from CS156D Seasons.

I used one of my many shaped dies to cut out the sentiment, adding a little colour with the die still in place, before layering it on to the card

over a similarly shaped and dry embossed panel.

I own several much older daffodil stamps also by Hobby Art.

 In fact these cards were made for a magazine article many years ago.

There was a bit of masking involved in this card, and I have to admit that the sentiment may be by a different stamp company although after all this time I honestly can't remember.

I hope that we don't continue with the one day nice, one day horrid pattern tomorrow as I am off to see my Mum. I have to admit that it usually seems to rain when I visit her, especially when I have to walk from the station, so I will remember to take my rain coat with me.
Have a good evening, and enjoy the sunshine.
Hugs Kimx

Entertaining Emma

Evening Everyone,
Monday again, and I am hoping to get back to some sort of normality this week. I definitely need to get back to the gym big time.
I have been helping out with Emma rather a lot just lately, so I was doing quite a bit of walking which I suppose goes a little way to making up for my lack of gym time.
Another issue that came up last week was a sudden and very short turn round on some DT samples.
Fortunately they are all finished and in the post now and as some of the Grandchildren are on school holiday I am hoping that they will take over Emma Entertainment duties so that I can get in some exercise before my lovely gym buddy starts to give me grief.

As you can see the children had a great time playing with a Zdbed.

  Ciaran made Emma a camp with it

 although she also enjoyed having a lie down.

Fun times, it's a shame they grow up so quickly.
Oh and I did get to the gym, so I think it was a good day all round.
Hugs Kimx