And the Rest is History

Evening Everyone,
I hope that you have had an enjoyable Saturday.
I enjoyed my walk around the park in the glorious sunshine this morning, and then I had the mad idea to sort out my dies.
OMG, how many do I own??
I remember very clearly the day my current obsession with them started. It was a crafty demonstration day and my friend Caz had brought along a Cuttlebug to show us, that she had purchased from America since they weren't readily available in this country.
At that time I had an old Sizzix pump handle style machine that I had been given, but which sat unused on my window ledge gathering dust. Who needed a die cutting machine I remember thinking to myself, until Caz showed us the Cuttlebug in action.
WOW...…..and the rest, as they say, is history.

I wouldn't like to even guess at how many dies I now own, but there are certain ones that get used time and time again, most noticeably my favourite sentiments from Creative Expressions.

Here I have highlighted them with glossy accents which helps them to stand out against the 'smack down' technique background and sunflower cut from Jane's Giant Sunflower stamp.
Maybe I will get to play tomorrow after all this sorting. Jane has another TV show coming up in a week or so and I need to get busy with some samples for her.
Better get some shut eye. Thanks for stopping by.
Stay safe.
Hugs Kimx

Poppies ...... as we Remember with Woodware

Evening,
I've had a fabulous day catching up with some 'crafty' things and starting my samples for Hobby Art.
One of the things that I needed to finish was a card for the Woodware challenge.
As usual it is the last day of the challenge before I manage to get something posted lol.
This week the challenge has been set by one of their retail shops LLinda's Craft Shop and she has chosen

The Poppy .......... as We Remember

Once again I have managed to find some bits in my box that I could make use of, and funnily enough the main panel actually uses the same Dreamwaver Tall Poppy Stencil that Linda used in her fabulous creation.

How different my card looks though. I have used my stencil, some Red Metallic sheet and my Cuttlebug machine.
I have used my Dreamweaver Stencils so much more now that I know that I can use them with my Embossing Machine. Do make sure that you get the right sandwich though so that you don't bend the stencil.

The plates on my machine are rather well worn, but this has added a rather nice distressed look to the finished piece. I used some permanent black pen on the center of the Poppy.

I added some Alcohol Ink to tone down the red of the metal.

I found two pieces of metal in my box with the Poppies already embossed on them, so I decided to finish a second card. The background is from my large stash of papers made using my Creative Palette, bubble wrap and inks.
This piece of metal was silver to start with and once again I added some Alcohol Inks.

I stamped and embossed some Wild Flowers onto the background paper and added a sentiment stamped onto a piece of acetate.

I notice that Dorothy hasn't added a link again this week, but as she is currently in Skipton with Judith and the rest of the Gang getting ready for the Retailer Retreat which starts tomorrow I think that she can be forgiven for the over sight.

Off to get some dinner, and then it is back to the Craft Room where I have a few more samples to make.

Have a good evening.

Hugs Kimx

Not late, just early for next year

Evening Everyone.
I like to make everyone at work a card on their birthday. So when the new lass started last week, I added her name to my birthday book.

As I had missed her special day for this year, I decided to make her a card anyway using one of the lovely stamps from my new Stampendous wording set.

The central panel was in my bits box, and had already been stamped, embossed and Cuttlebugged, so I decided to add the greeting on a piece of acetate.

I also found a flower and some leaves in my box that matched perfectly.
She was thrilled to bits when I gave her the card this morning, so that was definitely a couple of hours well spent.
Hugs Kimx

Moody Blues

Evening Everyone,
I managed to make it to another fabulous afternoon at Davina's.
It really is totally amazing how much stuff I manage to take with me to class.
I had enlisted the Grandchildren to help me carry things as we thought that Sylvie, who gives me a lift, wouldn't be able to get up the road because of the flooding, so I would have to bring everything to meet her!!
As it turns out the 'Men from the Council' managed to clear the drains and most of the flood water subsided so Sylvie was able to meet me at my front door.
I decided that I would split today's class it into 3 parts since there were so many different techniques to show them using Embossing Folders.
Of course another technique that I had forgotten about features on my card this evening.

The tree panel has been created using a Dreamweaver Brass Stencil (I know its not a folder, but it still embosses) which I had spritzed with Adirondack Colourwash sprays.

I ran it through my Cuttlebug which transferred the ink to the card stock and gave me the dry embossed look. It also cleaned most of the ink from the stencil which was a bit of a result.

I stamped and embossed the sentiment onto the tree panel and then matt and layered it onto a card which I had stamped with various leaves.
Some Card Candi finishes the whole thing off.
I think I can see a part 4 to the embossing classes so that we can play with brass stencils as well.
What do you think Girls, are you up for an extra afternoon of play time?
Happy Crafting and hugs Kimx

A sketch challenge for Woodware

Evening Everyone
This week at Woodware the Girls have been inspiring us following a sketch, so I felt that it was about time I joined in again.
In fact I actually got a little bit carried away and made two cards.

The first uses Jane's lovely December 25th stamp which works so well with the Wet Watercolour technique and the Pearlex Palettes.

I painted the embossed image using this technique and then cut it out and mounted it onto kraft card.

The panel on the right hand side has been dry embossed using a Dreamweaver stencil, and then with the stencil still in place I added Versamark ink and finally Frantage Embossing powder.

The second card uses the same stamped, embossed and coloured image this time mounted onto blue card stock.

The panel on the left hand side (I rotated the sketch) has been created by adding Versamark ink to an embossing folder before running it through my Cuttlebug.
Once dry embossed I added powdered Pearlex which sticks to the Versamark ink.

For the finishing touch I added some Glossy Accents to the berries.
This has to be one of my favourite of Jane's Christmas designs. I hope she likes what I have done with it.
I would also like to enter this into the challenge at the Friday Mashup where they are asking for you to 

1. Create a "Winter themed project (Non Christmas)."
2. Create a project using "Embossing (Dry or Heat). "
3. Or Mash it Up and create a "Winter Project using Embossing."

Have a great weekend.
hugs Kimx

Pearlex for Christmas

Evening Everyone,
Are you having a creative weekend. I am, and I definitely seem to be in Christmas mode.
We had another productive class at Davina's where the girls were once again introduced to Pearlex, both powder and watercolour.
My card tonight makes use of both types.

As you can see I managed to finish the card that I was working on last night.

The central panel uses one of Jane Gill's Christmas stamps which I stamped and embossed onto watercolour card and then 'dropped' the Watercolour Pearlex onto the image having first painted it with plenty of clean water to make the card stock very wet.

The background panel uses dark grey card and an embossing folder which I have covered with Versamrk before placing the card stock inside and putting it through the Cuttlebug machine.
This transfers the ink to the card stock, and then I have added the powdered Pearlex to create a fabulous shimmery background.
Another Christmas card to add to the pile.
Back to my desk while I'm still feeling creative, I can have a lie in tomorrow lol.
Hugs Kimx

Congratulations and Birthday Wishes

Evening Everyone
Yesterday was a very special day in lots of households around the country as families waited for A-level exam results.
In our house it was due to it being my lovely Mum's 83rd birthday.
My friend and I popped over to visit her and deliver cards and prezzies. We were also armed with a rather scrummy Sherry Trifle Cake courtesy of M & S, and also a Strawberry Scone, as requested by the Birthday Girl.
It was so lovely to get to see her on her special day, and also an old friend of hers who had popped in for a surprise visit. The cake was rather nice as well lol.
As I said other households had alternative reasons to celebrate. One such family belongs to one of our 'Wild Bean Girlies'. She was thrilled to get a call from her eldest daughter who had managed 3 A's one of which was an A*. She is now off to Medical School, one very clever girl!!
I stupidly forgot to take piccies of Mum's card, so here is the one that I gave Julia to congratulate her on her awsome results.

The central panel has been created using an Embossed Resist technique and then cut out using a Nestie.
For the Embossed Resist, ink up the stamp using several colours of Pigment ink. Stamp and emboss this first image and then stamp again several times without adding any more ink.

The background has been created by taping three pieces of cardstock together before placing them in an embossing folder and running them through a Cuttlebug.
I'm teaching tomorrow so I had better get my Tag instructions written. I can't believe that we are on Tag 12 already - Multiple Resist, or Ghosting Part 2.
I will be back tomorrow with some samples, if I remember to pick up my bag from work that is, it has my camera in it.
Have a great weekend with plenty of Crafting.
Hugs Kimx

Woodware and Dreamweaver Christmas in August Bloghop

Hi All
Today it is my turn to join in with the Annual Dreamweaver and Woodware Christmas in August Extravaganza week.

Monday through Saturday we will be knocking your Christmas stockings off with fun and inspirational ideas for the upcoming holidays. All that you need to do is hop back and forth across the "pond" on each day, oohing and aaahhhing as you go, and leaving us plenty of holiday love. In return, you'll be entered to randomly win one prize package for a UK commenter, and a second prize package for a US commenter, featuring products distributed in the UK by Woodware...including Dreamweaver and Stampendous! 

Prize includes four stencils, one die, and two stamps, selection may vary.

Here is what I created.

I tried using the Dreamweaver pastes for my central panel, but I obviously need some private tuition from the lovely Lynell as it kept bleeding underneath the stencil so I went back to the good old Cuttlebug option.

I stamped and embossed JGS178 Poinsettia Flourish onto white card stock and then ran the card through the Cuttlebug using the Dreamweaver Merry Christmas stencil.

I have also been playing with the new Mix'd Media inks which is what I have used to add colour to the trimmed panel using Stencil brushes.

The sparkle was added by covering the entire panel with Crystal Embossing powder. I also added some hand drawn lines using a Micron pen.

The gingham paper has been stamped, embossed and coloured using the Mix'd Media Inx.

The main background panel has been stamped and embossed in white and then sponged with Patina inx. I wiped off the excess with a damp paper towel and then painted the images using the same Inx

Now is the time for you to leave a comment and move on to the next designer for today:

Woodware UK

Dream It Up!

Stacey Rumsby

Louise Healy

Kim Reygate (that's me)

Terrece Siddoway

Pam Hornschu

Cyndi Bundy

Happy Hopping, and thanks for stopping by.

Hugs Kimx

Happy Birthday, just for you.

Evening Everyone
Long time no see. Now I know that it happens at the same time each year, but why is it that Christmas always has the habit of creeping up on you??
I may have been a very good girl and have made all of my cards throughout the year, (Thank God for the Christmas challenge blogs) but I am later than ever writing them.
I had intended getting them all written last weekend, but the birthday of a certain special young man put paid to that.
I can't believe that my Grandson Reece is now 10 years old.

This lovely pre-coloured image from Lili of the Valley reminds me of Reece eating milk and cookies with his younger brother Ciaran. Yes they can be cute sometimes lol.

I cut the image out using a circular Nestie. Sorry that the photography isn't up to much.

The tags in the background have been covered in background papers from my stash, and then run through the Cuttlebug using a Diamond Embossing Folder.

The spiders in the background have been stamped and embossed using an image from an Inkadinkadoo clear stamp set. Definitely a useful stamp for boys cards.

We all went out for a meal, a very nice carvery meal with heaps of vegetables, my kind of Sunday dinner.
In the absence of a birthday cake, an ice cream sundae will just have to do.

As you can see Saskia wasn't going to waste even the tiniest bit of her pudding.
I really must get some cards written tomorrow or else no-one will get them this side of the New Year.
Thanks for stopping by.
hugs Kimx

A little Snowbird

Evening Everyone
I'm sorry that I have been missing for so long.
I seriously don't know where November disappeared to, and now it looks as if December is going by at the same breakneck speed.
My Christmas card tally for the year may look extremely healthy, but it looks as if once again I shall be late getting them all in the post - no change there then lol.
In fact November went by so quickly that I didn't even notice that I had missed posting my project for The Stamp Man 'Emboss It' challenge.
Even though the deadline has now passed for entries to this particular challenge (Challenge for December is In the bleak mid Winter) I see no reason not to share my card with you.

I love this stamp from Stampendous CRP169 Cling Snow Bird, he is just sooo cute. I stamped and embossed him using an Onyx Black Versafine inkpad and Clear Embossing Powder.

I coloured him using Festive Berries and Gathered Twigs Distress Inks and then cut him out using Nestabilities S5-027 Labels 21.

I left the die in place and gently sponged the edges of the image with Iced Spruce Distress Ink.

The background panel to the card has been created using Holly and Berries rollagraph and Versamark ink which I have embossed with Gold Embossing Powder. The entire panel has then been painted using distress inks Iced Spruce, Festive Berries, Evergreen Bough and Gathered Twigs using a Waterbrush.
I also coloured the berries with a White Souffle Pen.

I embossed the right hand side of the panel using a Cuttlebug Christmas Embossing Folder and then tapped the edges with a Versamark ink pad before adding Frantage Shabby White Embossing Enamel.
As a final touch I added some Glossy Accents to the berries and some Gold Brads.
I have been chained to my desk  for the last several weeks working on some top secret DT projects which I have finally finished, so I hope that I can now get back to Blogland on a slightly more regular basis.
I have definitely missed you All, and maybe you have missed me a little too.
Night night
Hugs Kimx

Purple and Gold for the Woodware challenge

Good Morning,
At least I hope that this has appeared at the scheduled time.
Today I am once again filling in at the Woodware challenge for the lovely Siobhan who is enjoying a well deserves rest.
This week Dorothy has asked us to make something Purple and Gold. Now you know me, I got a bit carried away as usual and made two cards.

They both use the same stamps and papers, I just cut them out using a different shaped nestie.
I stamped a piece of white card using the Artemio Musical background stamp and a Gold Encore ink pad.
Having dried it with my heat gun I then stamped and embossed the Magenta flowers over the top using Versamark ink and clear embossing powder. This acts as a resist and the music shows through the image.

The purple colour has been achieved using a combination of Purple Memory Mist ink which was spritzed over the image and then Dusty Concord ink which was sponged over it
Having cut the image out using a nestie, I tapped around the edge with a versamark ink pad and embossed it with Aged Gold Embossing Enamel.
The background paper is from my stash and has been stamped using Dusty Concord ink.
The stamped greeting is a sneak peek of one of the fantastic new stamps that Jane let me play with.

This card has been made in exactly the same manner, I just stamped the musical background using Dusty Concord ink instead of the gold encore.
The ribbon, nailheads and card candy are all available through a Woodware stockist.

 The embossed background is a Cuttlebug Embossing folder.

Happy Birthday is also from the same lovely new stamp set that Jane loaned me. I added Aged Gold Embossing Enamel to the outer edge of of both cards.
I hope that you feel suitable inspired and that you will join us HERE with your Purple and Gold creations.
Have a wonderful day, lets hope that it is another sunny one.
Happy Crafting.
hugs Kimx

More Imagination Decoupage

Evening Everyone
I hope you managed to catch Imagination on QVC earlier this evening. Unfortunately my cards didn't get much of an airing so I thought that I would post a couple of them here quickly before I get to bed.

 I think this one was given a very brief moment of air time. All the samples tonight have been made using the fantastic Crocus stamp set. This particular card also uses the Summer Blossom stencil and stencil paints.

I have used a combination of background papers to create this card which I would like to enter into the challenge over at Paper Sundaes where they are looking for Paper Piecing.

 I have stamped one of the little background stamps over the stencilled flowers.

This second card makes use of bleach, dark card and dye based inks.

 The handmade background paper is made using the Sylus tool and a Petal Point pigment ink pad.

This final card uses Inkidink inks, and embossing both heat and cuttlebugged. The swirly folder matched the stamps perfectly I thought.

Hope you like them.
Hugs Kimx