A Memory Book

Evening Everyone,

I have just spent the most enjoyable day prepping for my class tomorrow.

We are making books using the wonderful Sizzix Wrapped Notebook Die designed by Eileen Hull.

 I saw it on Hochanda some time last year and just had to have it,

but haven't had the chance to play till now.

Oh boy, have I had fun. I can see lots of people getting these as present.

I also have the Passport Journal die which cuts pages that perfectly fit the Wrapped Journal.

I die cut some more of the flower and foliage images that I used on the front only this time out of funky foam,

and used them to stamp on the pages using Distress Oxide inks.

It just gives the pages a little extra interest.

This is very Mixed Media for me.

I added some texture paste to the front through a stencil cut from card using a Tim Holtz die and then added a little Gilding Wax. 

I used elastic to fit the pages into the journal, and also as a means of closure.
I'm not sure that it will stand up to being carried around in a handbag, but it will definitely make a good place to keep lists so I think that I will make one as a notebook tomorrow.
I hope that 'The Girls' will enjoy themselves as much as I have.
Have a great evening.
Happy Crafting and Hugs
Kimx 

Feel Better Soon

Evening Everyone,
Just a quick post today as I am in need of a rest, my foot is killing me today.
I have done a little walking, but nothing too much honestly, but for some reason it seems particularly bad tonight, so I am going to give in to it and lie down.

This card was actually made for my brother who is currently undergoing treatment for a recurrence of his throat cancer, so my few little aches and pains are very minor by comparison.

I could however get behind the sentiment, and would very definitely like to feel better soon.
I'm getting very bored with being incapacitated.
Looking forward to a better day tomorrow.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs Kimx

A Little More Black and White

Evening Everyone,
It's been very cold, but lovely and bright here today. I actually went out for a short walk, it's impossible to sit and rest all of the time, and at the end of the day I will have to go back to work at some point so I would rather ease myself in gently.

We started a fabulous Black and White challenge at CCM on Monday, and as you may know I do love that particular colour combo.

This first card was one that I made for Creative Expressions for the Woodware stamps section of their catalogue.

This stamp set would lend itself to a bit of zendoodling as well as basic black and white stripes of colour.

I never quite know what I am going to create when I start making the samples, and I also try very hard to use up all of the leftover bits and pieces,

so here is a second card made with them.
I'm back home tomorrow after a lovely couple of days staying with Becki and the youngest of the Grandchildren.
Chloe has been my best buddy. I just wish I could understand her when she babbles away 19 to the dozen. I often think that we should video her so that we can play it back to her when she is older so that she can translate it for us. The trouble is you never have your phone near you when you need it do you.
Jack is such a cheeky little monster with an infectious grin. Unfortunately he has also learnt the high pitched squeal from copying his sister. I'm thinking of investing in earplugs for next time.
Its amazing how much sorting you can get done when you are having to sit and rest. I have shredded a huge bag full of paperwork that would otherwise have remained in carrier bags for another few years. I also found a couple of gift cards which are still just in date, so that was a nice surprise.
Better get to bed now before the kids wake up again.
Hugs Kimx

A budding little chef

Evening Everyone,
I had a little bit of help in the cooking department today from my Granddaughter Emma.

I've been staying for a few days to have a little bit of a change of scenery while I'm off work.

There were a few bananas that were way past their best, so Emma helped me make a Banana Loaf.

I remember the joys of licking the bowl after I had helped my Mum or Grandma with the baking.

Emma seems to have inherited that gene as well lol.

The recipe was provided by Michele from class who makes a mean cake which she often generously brings along with her.
We forgot to take a picture before cutting a small slice for Emma to sample so this was the best one she would let me take.
As well as the banana loaf she helped with an apple crumble. Her little sister Chloe wanted to help as well so she helped with the vegetables for dinner.
Not quite up to Michelin star standards but they had fun helping which is all that counts.
Hugs Kimx

Black and white at CCM

Evening Everyone,

Today saw the start of a new challenge over at CCM, and it is one of my favourites 'Black and White'

The problem that I had here was deciding on which card I would choose to share with you.

This fabulous old Stampendous stamp worked brilliantly for this watercolour technique that we played with in class a while ago.

I used Black Soot distress ink on the stamp which I then stamped onto a piece of very wet watercolour cardstock.

The water wicks out the ink to give a very diffused image.

Once the card has dried (either with heat or naturally) stamp back over the top with a black dye based ink pad and emboss with clear embossing powder.

Here I used the same technique but used a couple of different colours on the stamp for the first stamping.

I did a little bit of decoupage in the corner of this one for a bit of added dimension.
I have to say that the advent of the Stamping Platforms or Misti make this a very easy technique to achieve. I'm not sure that I would have been able to stamp my secondary image without one of them, especially as this is a foam mounted stamp.
I hope that you will find the time to join us for this latest challenge, and please stop by to see all the wonderful samples that my teamies have come up with to inspire you.
Have a great week.
Happy Crafting and hugs
Kimx

It must be in the genes

Evening,
I did a little bit of crafting today, or at least I assisted in the construction of a card for Emma to take to a party.

She chose the 3D topper that she wanted to use,

and carefully removed all of the backs off the sticky fixers.

Chloe tried to get in on the act :O)

The finished masterpiece.

Chloe had to show it off as well.

And of course Chloe had to copy her big sister when it came to writing the inside of the card.
I think that this is the nearest I will get to crafting for the next few days as I have come to stay with Becki and the children for a change of walls to look at.
Hope you have had a great weekend.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs
Kimx

Purple Poppies

Morning All,
I hope that you are having a great weekend.

I found this fabulous poppy stamp at Ally Pally a few years ago.

 It is a Carabelle Art stamp called Pretty Like a Flower.

I used it here with the 'Bump and Smudge' technique that has become quite a favourite of mine.

I didn't think that the cards needed anything much more than a sentiment

and a few gems or nail heads.
I think I might have to dig this stamp out again, I had forgotten how nice it is.
Have a great day.
Happy Crafting and hugs
Kimx

Pearlex Poinsettias

Evening Everyone,
Christmas may be a dim and distant memory, except when the credit card bill comes in, but tomorrow we are getting a heads up on next year.
Every year we always complain that we haven't finished enough cards, so this year we have decided that we will regularly fit in a class where we have to finish off things from our Christmas bits box.
My friend Anna and I did it a few years ago and it made such a difference.

 With that in mind I thought that it made sense to share a few finished ones from my stash.

 They have all been made using an old Woodware stamp set, versamark ink and powdered Pearlex.

I do love Pearlex (Mica) powders and the fact that some of them look so different on dark

and light cardstock.

These cards were very quick and easy to put together. The hardest part was finding cardstock to match.
I'm hoping that we will be able to get a few more cards finished tomorrow.
I've got a whole pile of card and background paper ready to take, along with a few dies and heap of bits from my bits box that may end up being someone else's treasure lol.
Have a great weekend.
Happy Crafting and Hugs
Kimx

Letterpress with Embossing Folders

Afternoon,
Are you having a good day?
I got out with a friend this morning, for a bit of fresh air. Nice to see the outside for a change.

I do love 3D embossing folders, and these cards were made using one of my favourites.

We did the Letterpress technique using them in class.

The mounting for them was inspired by cards made by Jennifer McGuire. 

I do love this ladies blog for inspiration.

Of course I couldn't throw any of the bits away so I made another card with them.
Time for a little bit of crafting I think...…...sitting down like a good girl of course.
Happy Crafting and Hugs
Kimx