A new challenge and a new name for Crafty Cardmakers

Hi All,
Well, it's the start of a New Year and the start of a new challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers. And we also have a new name - CRAFTY CARDMAKERS AND MORE to reflect the new challenges that we are going to be having to encourage you to make more than just cards.
Our hostess Feebsy would love to see your creations along the theme of 'Bear With Me', in other words anything with a teddy bear, or more realistic image of a bear as the MAIN focal point of your project. Any sort of bear will be fine, so polar bear, grizzly bear, teddy bear etc., just make sure it is the MAIN focal point.

For my card I chose a Lili of the Valley stamp Patchwork Bunch of Balloons and coloured it using Distress Inks. 

I cut the image out with my guillotine and used an inverted corner punch for a change. I then added some stitching with a fine Black Micron pen. 

The greeting is part of one of the new stamps from the Woodware Spring 2014 catalogue JGS901 Birthday Textbox.
I also added a few gems to the background.

The background papers are from my stash, and are also from Lili of the Valley.
The red dots just screamed out for a bit of glossy accents.
We have a new sponsor this time Flourish with a Bling who are offering a $15 gift voucher.
Don't forget to stop by and see what the rest of the team have been up to.
Happy Crafting and hugs to all. 
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 for You Grandpa

Wow that sure was a shock to the system. Back to real work and standing on my feet for 8 hours!!
To cap it all I have a new pair of work boots to break in, steel toe caps no less, and one of them has been badly finished off inside. Of course I didn't notice this until I was already at work and in agony lol. Thank goodness it is going to be a very short week.

My card tonight was made for my old Boss who has just become a Grandad for the first time.

The pre-coloured image is from one of the new Lili of the Valley Art Pads  that I bought at the NEC.

I added a little Stardust pen to the image and matched it to papers from my stash, I also added a tiny silver charm which I bought while I was at SirStampalot.

The sentiments are a combination of Inky Antics and Hobby Art.
I'm not sure what my friend is going to be called, perhaps GRUMPS would be appropriate, but I thought that Grandpa might give him a laugh.
Hugs Kimx

Congratulations, It's a Boy

Evening Everyone,
Another fantastically hot one, I hope that you have been able to keep in the shade.
My friend took me to visit my Mum and even driving in her little car with the top down it was still incredibly hot.
I'm certainly very glad that I wasn't the Duchess of Cambridge, although I'm sure that her room was nicely air conditioned lol.
So here is a card that I made before my trip to Peterboro (I'm still paper sorting!!!!) which by happy accident was made to Welcome the birth of a new Baby Boy.

 I have used one of my favourite Lili of the Valley die cuts and background papers from my stash.

I also added some lace, pearls and tiny heart shaped buttons.
I'm hoping that I should get my paper sorting finished tomorrow as I have gained some unexpected help.
My daughter needed a change of scenery from cleaning fire damage so she has come to stay for a couple of days and bless her heart she has offered to sort the papers for me while I am at work.
Well it would be rude to refuse the help don't you think :O)
Night night, and many congratulations to William and Kate.
hugs Kimx

Having a kick about

Evening everyone,
I managed to survive the day without a granny nap, so I am hoping that I will sleep better tonight. I think I managed about 3 hours last night, so I am knackered as you can imagine lol.
One of the cards in the pile that got written over the weekend was this one that my Grandson gave to his friend for his birthday.

I'm so glad that I made a couple of football cards for my box as they have come in very handy over the last couple of weeks.
They were made with Lili of the Valley die cuts and more patchwork background.

I was really pleased with how they turned out. I think I will have to make a couple more.

I can see some more birthdays coming up, and I don't always get much notice when anyone needs a card. 

I have a drawer full of assorted cards but never seem to have ones that are suitable for 'smaller people' :O)

Oh boy, look at the time, no wonder I'm nodding off as I'm writing this. I hope that just means that I am very tired and not that I am very boring lol.

Hugs and good night

Kimx

On Your Wedding Day

Evening Everyone,
Well I survived my first day back at work, and without a Granny Nap as well. I even managed to finish off a couple of things on my desk, this can't continue lol.
The house has been very quiet this evening as the family have gone to a Wedding reception.

I made this card for the happy couple, I hope that they like it.
The image is a Lili of the Valley die cut, one of my favourites for a Wedding card.
I have used a Martha Stewart punch around the page to create a border for the card and then matched it to a background paper from my stash.

 The flowers are made using Spellbinders dies and card stock.

I added a DooHickey die cut tag and heart as well as a Lili of the Valley sentiment.
Yes Gill I did have to make a box for it,but I hope that it is something that they will treasure.
I still have all my Wedding cards in a box, along with a telegram that arrived on the day, something for the History books given that they don't exist any more lol.
Oh boy look at the time, better get to bed.
hugs Kimx

A Big Kid at Heart

Evening Everyone
Hasn't the weather been lovely today.
It has been so nice to have the windows open and for the children to be outside without their coats.
I have managed to catch up with quite a few things today, including finally finishing my Sin-in-laws birthday card.
It is amazing how I always feel much more creative when the sun is shining.

He may have hit the big 40 this year but Jason is still a big kid at heart, and he also has a passion for Camper Vans.
This little gem from Lili of the Valley has got me out of a hole and means that he gets a card at least vaguely near his birthday.

I have used the fabulous sketch over at Here Come the Boys and papers from my stash.

The cream card in the background has also been dry embossed with a numbers folder.

Jason thought that it was 'really cool' that the windows really looked like glass thanks to some well placed Glossy Accents.
Better get some sleep now, thanks for stopping by.
Hugs Kimx

Another New Arrival

Evening Everyone
I hope that you have been having good weekend despite the rain.
I have finally managed to catch up with a bit of crafting, and the steady stream of birth congrats cards that I have had to make shows no signs of slowing down. Maybe that has something to do with the lousy weather as well lol.

This week Lili's Little Fairies are looking for 'Clean and Simple'.
Now I'm really not sure that I am totally happy with this card. I like the clean layout but I think it looks a bit washed out.

 It is an image that I coloured in as my first try with Distress Markers, so that can be my excuse :O)

The greetings and background paper are also from Lili of the Valley.
I cut out the sentiments with a punch and then added a tiny button.
Sweet Stampin  are looking for 'Pastels' so I will enter this into their challenge as well.
Let's hope that my creative flow continues tomorrow as I still have lots of things to cross off of my list.
Night night.
Hugs Kimx

Just hanging around

Evening Everyone
Just a really quick post tonight, I don't know where the time has gone, and I am struggling to stay awake.

This is the card that my daughter chose to give to her friend on the birth of his son.
The lovely Penny Black image was taken from a calender that came free with a craft magazine several years ago. (I've just looked and it was 2005!!!!!!)
The pictures were far too nice to throw away and I just knew that they would come in handy sometime.
I know, I hoard things, but what good crafter doesn't. Besides I get it from my lovely Mum.

I cut the image out using a Nestie and added co-ordinating background papers, a Lili of the Valley sentiment  and some DooHickey die cuts.
Cupcake Craft Challenges  are looking for Cats and Dogs, so I hope that this little cutie counts.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs Kimx

A New Arrival at Lili of the Valley

Evening Everyone,
Well it has been another bright but cold day here in Surrey.
I have been quite happy to stay indoors and craft although I must admit to enjoying the sunshine I could see through the window.
In fact it was even a little too bright when I tried to take a couple of pictures of a card this morning, that hasn't happened in a long long time lol.

My youngest daughter needed a new baby card for a friend so I made a couple for her to choose from, that way I have one in my box for another occasion. I'm sure it will be needed at some point.

The stamped image I used on this card is from Lili of the Valley, Baby with Bunny, and I actually coloured this one myself which makes a change for me instead of using a topper.

I cut the image out using a Nestie and added some faux stitching.

The sentiments are also from Lili of the Valley and have been mounted onto a die cut DooHickey cloud.
The button has been embossed with several layers of Frantage powders and then stamped into while it is still molten to give it added texture.

The plaid background paper is from a Nitwits 8x8 paper pad, and I have embossed the Coredinations card using an Embossibilities folder.
I also added some ribbon, gems and medical gauze.
I would like to enter this into the challenge at Lili's Little Fairies where they are looking for Stitching either real or faux.
They are launching some new stamps tomorrow so I can see a new purchase in my future. I can never resist a new Lili of the Valley stamp or die cut for that matter.
I hope that you have had a good weekend, and thanks for stopping by.
See you tomorrow after my spending spree lol
hugs Kimx

Welcome to your wonderful New Home

Evening Everyone
I can't believe that it is Friday again already, where is the time going to?
I've been doing a little more upcycling.

This  card was made for a previous Easter challenge, but as I don't really 'do' Easter I have changed the sentiment on it and turned it into a New Home card for my wonderful Mum.
She finally moved into her new bungalow over the Easter weekend, so the card really is appropriate.
We also used to keep chickens many years ago at her old house so there is a hint of the past to the card as well.
I hope that Mum will see the reference to our old home and smile.

The sentiment is from a Lili of the Valley clear set For You Circular Sentiments, it replaced Happy Easter.

Mum won't be short of company in her new home as she has three little companions.

They look very peaceful here but I can assure you they are not always this quiet.
Mum found their tabby sleeping companion in a Charity shop and said that she just had to give it a home.
I went to visit Mum this evening with my Daughter Becki and my Granddaughter Megan. We took her a little  parcel of kitchen staples and a box of M & S flapjacks.
This is a bit of an in joke since my Mum makes the most fabulous flapjacks and now she finally has her new Aga, and a kitchen, we will all be eagerly awaiting the first batch bake.
Sorry Mr Marks nothing beats my Mums flapjacks although yours do come in a close second lol.
My turn for a catnap, or more precisely a decent nights sleep.
Hugs Kimx

It's a Baby Girl

Evening Everyone
Another card tonight made with a couple of specific challenges in mind.
This time I took my inspiration from the photograph at
Totally Tilda Challenges

and the Sketch at Sunday Sketch and Stamp.
I would also like to enter it into the challenge over at ABC Challenges  where F is for Favourite Tilda Stamp.
The little cutie that I have used on my card certainly has to be one of my favourites, and is definitely the most well used of all my Tilda stamps.

I have stamped and embossed her onto watercolour card and then coloured her using Brushed Corduroy and Victorian Velvet Distress Ink.

The background paper is a double sided sheet from a Lost and Found 'Blush' 6 x 6 pad.
Once again I have used my favourite Martha Stewaert border punch along the bottom of the panel, and added some Faux stitching around the edge.

The heart has been cut from a piece of white card which was first dry embossed using a Cuttlebug folder.
After cutting the heart out using a Nestie, I sponged it with a combination of Brushed Corduroy and Victorian Velvet ink before adding Walnut Stain Distress Ink around the edge.

By allowing the ink to dry before adding the final coating of Walnut Stain around the edge I was able to heat emboss the edge using clear embossing powder.
The greeting is from Lili of the Valley cut out using a circle punch. I added some tiny dots around the edge.

I'm trying to be good with the envelopes, it is a great way of using up the little left over pieces.
Off to bed now, my cold has really kicked in and I am having trouble breathing, time for some medication I think.
hugs Kimx

Shabby Chic for a Baby Girl

Evening Everyone
I hope that you have had a good day and that you are not too cold.
We don't appear to have any of the thick snow here that the weather men have been predicting.... as yet, I will just wait and see when I peep through the curtains tomorrow morning before I go to work. I suspect that I will be in need of my very unflattering thermal underwear lol.
Now as you know I just love the challenges over at Our Creative Corner, and so no week would be complete without making a card for it.
This week they are looking for Shabby Chic Style, in their words  'Shabby Chic' style is generally characterized by a time-worn look achieved by inking and distressing.  There are layers of softness that can be achieved by the use of ribbon, lace, and crochet trim.  You will need to include feminine embellishments, such as buttons, pearls, glitter, and any other sweet embellishment. 

I have had several Baby Congratulations cards to make this week so it seemed the perfect fit.
I have used a Lili of the Valley pre-coloured image cut out using Labels 22. I added some Antique Linen Distress Ink to the edges of the image while it was still inside the nestie along with a faux stitched border.

The background panel that it is mounted onto is a piece of brown cardstock which has been embossed using a folder designed by Crafts Too.
I distressed it a little and added plenty of Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.

I used the lovely sketch over at CLP Challenges for my layout.

I also used some gingham, as requested in the challenge at Sweet Stampin.
The other background paper is by Magnolia with my favourite swirl stamped over it using the Brushed Corduroy ink.
Of course no 'Shabby Chic' card would be complete without a few pearls, a ribbon bow and punched border.
Off to bed now, see you tomorrow, lets hope without any of the white stuff :O)
hugs Kimx

A Happy Birthday Boy

Hi All
I hope that you are all having a great weekend.
Did you get to go to a Firework display, we could here them going off around us all evening but we stayed indoors and crafted, much more fun in my humble opinion!!
I am happily resident at my usual table at Sirstampalot, where my holiday started on Friday evening, if a little later than planned.
We spent 3 hours on a BP garage forecourt waiting for the AA, home away from home you might think lol.
Janice and Andy were getting rather concerned and it did mean a very late finish to the day, we didn't arrive till nearly 11pm, but poor old Becki and her Andy still had to continue the rest of their journey to Manchester so we were in bed long before them.
They very kindly made a detour to drop me off on the way to visit Andy's little boy for his birthday.
I was a good substitute Granny and send a card with them, I hope that he liked it.

Once again my Lili of the Valley die cuts came to my aid.
I added all of the new ones to my stash when they launched them a few weeks ago, and of course I think I already own all of the older designs of which this is one.
I love stamping as you know, but sometimes I just don't have the time, and so a pre-coloured image just makes things so much quicker to put a card together.
I always take the topper to my current stash of background papers to match things up and then it just grows from there. I think this one was actually made following a sketch that was on one of the challenges at the time but I never got around to entering it.

I cut the image out using a Nestie.
I have decided that one of my tasks when I am here in the shop is to label all of my dies so that I can tell you which ones I have used. So much easier to do when you can lay them all out in front of the ones hanging in the shop. It might take me a while though so I will use it as lie down moments to relieve the back pain. A change of position but still craft related.

The background papers are all from my stash with some faux stitching added to each panel.
I also added a stamped and punched strip, some Card Candi and gems.
The greeting is also from my bits box but I think it might be Hero Arts or perhaps Penny Black, sorry not quite sure.
We have had a bit of a lie in this morning since the shop isn't open for a class, but we will be heading off soon I think as there is always plenty to do and my craft table is calling me.
Have a great day, plenty of Crafting I hope.
hugs Kimx