Paper Pieced Christmas at Woodware

Hi All
It is my turn to play at Woodware again today, but I'm afraid that I am very late to the party.
I confess that I must have fallen asleep as I was writing the post and forget to schedule it, which on reflection is probably no bad thing given it's half finished nature lol.
Dorothy has chosen 'Paper Pieced Christmas ' for us this week.

I love Francoise Huge Word stamps which lend themselves perfectly to this type of technique.

I made a circular easel card for my project using papers from a Craftwork Cards paper pad and a sheet of green Magenta paper.

I added a few snowflakes to the image before I attached any of the fussy cut letters so that they look as if they are behind the writing.

Stamp and emboss the Jingle Bells onto three different pieces of background paper and again on to a large white circle of card.
Fussy cut all the letters from the sheets of background paper and lay them onto the image on the white card before sticking them in place using wet glue.

The base of the easel card has been embellished with flowers punched from the scraps of paper

and branches cut from the Dreamweaver die cut Naked Tree. This was cut from some home made glitter paper

I searched high and low for some bells to add to the card (Davina came to my rescue with a couple that she found in her stash, added with the ribbon bow) and then I remembered that the stamp set actually contained its very own bell stamp.
One of the things I love about Paper Piecing is that with a bit of thought during the cutting process you can actually end up with several finished panels which are then very easy to turn into cards.
So watch this space, as they say, cause you know I'm on a mission to use up all the left overs lol.
I hope that Dorothy will forgive me for the lateness of this post, and that you enjoy a bit of Paper Piecing inspiration from the Team this week.
Better get this posted before I fall asleep again. I've been to the gym this afternoon and I'm starting to feel sleepy.
Night night.
Hugs Kimx

Relax, it's your Birthday.

Evening Everyone
I hope that the snow hasn't settled too heavily where you are. Fortunately it seems to have mostly gone here, although I suppose that I could well be in for a surprise when I open the door tomorrow to leave for work.
On the card front it is just as well that I got a little carried away the other weekend when making a card for my Granddaughter to give her friend. I said at the time that it would always come in handy and no more so than today when my boss announced that he needed a card for his daughter's birthday.............TODAY!!!!!
I have put her in my birthday book now, so I won't get caught out next year.
It is also a very good job that I live so close to work as I was able to pop home at lunchtime to collect the card  and add a greeting to the inside.

The cute little mice are a pre coloured image from Hot Diggity Dog, a very rare purchase for me, from Create and Craft.
I have used the inverted corner rounder and a Martha Stewart Border punch as well as background papers from my stash.

 I added some Prisma Glitter to the image using a glue pen, and also some assorted pearls and tiny gems.

The flowers have been made using a DooHickey die and some assorted punches.
The sentiment is from an Impression Obsession clear stamp set that I have had for years.

Once again I have embellished the envelope.
I am entering this into the challenge over at Crafts and Me where they are looking for Your Favourite Colour Combo. Brown and Pink is certainly a favourite of mine.
Have a great week.
Hugs Kimx

More Pressed Flowers

Evening Everyone,
I hope that you have had a lovely day.
The one problem with my extended 'Granny nap' yesterday was that I worked late into the evening as I was wide awake.
How much of a problem is that you might think, well it meant that I slept in this morning.
I can't believe that I didn't wake up till gone 11 am. I think I was at school the last time I did that, and that was a very long time ago.

I have spent the day making a couple of commissioned cards which I will have to share at a later date, so here is another card that I made using the 'Pressed Flower' technique which Mynnette shared on Technique Tuesday.

Having struggled with her challenge last month, I have found this one much easier to follow.
Like most of you I have a box full of punched flowers and was pleased to see that this technique worked just as well with them as it did with Prima flowers.

The solid flower that has been stamped and embossed around the edge is one from a lovely new set from Hobby Art. In fact the greeting is also from another new set.

I loaned the card to Jenny for her TV show last week, but unfortunately this one got left behind. Never mind the other card that I made using this technique got showcased, even if she didn't mention where I got the idea  from.
Sorry Mynnette, but at least you know that one of the cards that you inspired has made it on to the TV :O)
I think I had better get to bed now, even if I'm not tired, otherwise I might waste another day by sleeping in, and I have far too much to do.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs Kimx

A Vellum Cutie

Evening Everyone
Wow, where did that weekend go? I hope that those of you that made it to Ally Pally had a good time.

Tonight I am sharing another card which uses vellum.
This cutie comes ready coloured on a sheet of vellum along with several other images. I believe that it may actually be a Pergamano product but I'm not quite sure.

I have mounted the image onto white card to enhance the colouring and then cut it out using a nestie.

The panel on the right hand side of the card is vellum which has been embossed using an embossing folder.

The card and background papers are from my stash.

The flowers and leaves are also made from vellum using a combination of punches and floral DooHickeys.

I've managed to finish a couple more Christmas cards this weekend. Following some of the Christmas challenges is definitely paying off, and I even won another Honourable mention over at 52(Christmas) Card Throwdown which is a lovely added bonus.

Hugs Kimx

21 and Counting!

Evening Everyone
Well I don't know how appropriate it will seem to be making Christmas cards in the beautiful Summer sunshine, but for the moment I'm going to make the most of being inspired by the bitterly cold weather and the Christmas blogs.

Both cards have been made using images from my Christmas bits box. In fact this one is so old I'm not even sure of the stamp company. I think it could be Stampendous, but I am perfectly prepared to be wrong.

The image has been stamped and embossed using cats eye pigment ink pads and crystal embossing powder, so it is very sparkly which doesn't show in the photograph.
I have gold embossed the green background card using a beautiful Christmas Swirl stamp by Inkadinkadoo.
The lace panel has been created from a DooHickey. I have added plenty of bling as I would like to enter it into the challenge over at 52(Christmas) Card Throwdown where they want to see Rhinestones.

The second card tonight uses a lovely Magenta stamp which I have stamped and embossed onto a piece of  brayered background. I have punched the edge of the brayered panel using a Martha Stewart punch and then layered it onto silver card.

I added some spotty ribbon, a greeting and some punched poinsettias and leaves. Of course this image lends itself beautifully to more bling so I would like to enter it into the same challenge at 52(Christmas) Card Throwdown.

I think the black poinsettias give the card quite a dramatic look, and not what I would consider to be a typically traditional colour combo. so I would like to enter it in to the challenge at Christmas Cards All Year Round where they have been asking for Non Traditional Colours all this month.
I have decided to add a tally to my side bar so that I can see how well I am doing with my Christmas cards each month. So to start off the New Year I made 21 in January.
Thank You to all the Christmas challenge blogs that I have found, you have certainly kept me on track
Lets see how well I get on next month.
Thanks for stopping by and for all the lovely comments I have received. I will try and get round to everyone but at the moment I'm rather busy making more Christmas cards lol.
Hugs Kimx

Saturday Sketch challenge 174

Afternoon All
I should have been working on some more DT work today, but to be honest I am feeling a bit burnt out, so instead I made a card for a friend of my daughter who had a baby girl on Friday.
I am entering it into the challenge over at Sketch Saturday.

The background papers are from my stash, and I have used the new Martha Stewart punch that I got at Davina's last time I taught there. I added a few pink gems to it.

The main image is a topper from Lili of the Valley cut out using a Nesties. Of course I had to use my Antique Linen distress ink on the edges and add some stitched borders.
I have managed to do a little blog hopping, and while I was looking around I found the tutorial for these wonderful flowers.

They have been made using a couple of different sizes of Retro flowers and a Martha Stewart punch, check out the tutorial HERE. The flower centre is a spacer and brad available from Hobby House.
Well I guess I had better get some DT work done or I will be in panic mode next week.
Have a good evening.
Happy Crafting.
Love Kimx

Happy Birthday Saskia and Ciaran Part 1

Good Morning
Today is Saskia and Ciaran's birthday.
I can't believe that it is 4 years since they were born. I hope that the weather now doesn't mirror that week. We were flooded here in Whyteleafe. I had to walk to the school to collect their brother and sister knee deep in water.
It is even harder to believe that they will be starting school in September, they still seem too little.
As soon as I saw this stamp at the Lili of the Valley stand in Sandown last year I knew that I had to have it. He is called 'Back to School Boy' and is just perfect for Ciaran's card.

This wouldn't have been my usual choice of colours but as his new school uniform will be yellow and grey it just had to be done. I'm really pleased with how it has turned out.
I used the sketch over at CLP Challenge .

The image has been coloured using distress inks. The Happy Birthday greeting and the leaf punch are from Sir Stampalot as are some of the papers.

I bought the dinosaur punch at Sir Stampalot ages ago. When I showed the card to Ciaran's Mum she said that he has been talking about Dinosaurs all week, how spooky is that lol.
The house is very quiet at the moment as they are all out. I'm sure that all that will change when they get back and open all their presents and the visitors arrive. I think I'll make the most of the calm.
Stop by later for Part 2 Saskia's card.
Happy Crafting
Kimx

Black and White or Babysitting ??

Evening Everyone.
It didn't take long to get out of loop with the blog posts did it, so I had better share a few photos to make up for it.

I made a bit of a mistake tonight. I should have been teaching 'Black and White with a hint of Colour' at Davina's, but I promised to babysit the grandchildren while my Daughters and their partners went to a show in London. That will teach me to say yes without checking my diary first.

I had prepped the class already so Davina is teaching it in my stead this evening so I hope no-one is too disappointed by my absence.

The cards all use my favourite Hobby Art set Anna's collection - Just for You. They also just use a black versafine ink pad, clear embossing powder and of course black and white card stock.

I have used a couple of punches, some peel-offs and crystals to finish them off. A little bit of colour has been added using a pigment ink pad.
Better go and check the kids again, and then I think I'll get an early night. Being back at work is very tiring you know, roll on my next holiday.
Nite, nite.
Kimx

Black and Pink flowers

Evening Everyone.
Thanks for stopping by, hasn't it been nice to see some rain.
I don't know about you but our garden has been desperate for some of the wet stuff. Everything looks so much fresher now, it's never quite the same out of a watering can is it and so much easier on the back.
Anyway the rain has stopped long enough for me to take some photos of my latest card.

I'm teaching Punched flowers on Saturday at Lavender Lane. These classes are proving to be very popular, and as you know I do like making flowers.
I decided that I would enter the challenge over at Crafts and Me as I felt that the card fitted the theme of Black, Pink and White so perfectly. I do hope that it is OK.

I'm quite enjoying entering these challenges. Sometimes it's quite nice to have something specific to work towards, it's a great focus.
I'm afraid that the focus on the pictures on the other hand is not as good as it should be. Why is it that they always look OK on the camera and then when you upload them to the computer they suddenly seem out of focus and it's now dark and too late to take new ones lol.

I made these flowers using two sizes of a Nellie Snellan punch and added some smaller punched flowers, leaves, stamen, brads, pearls and twisted wire.

The greeting is by Hobby Art and I have used a flower shaped Nestability to cut it out
I also added some faux stitching.
Looks like I've entered my pink period now, I wonder what age that represents. Both my Granddaughters like pink, so maybe I'm going backwards lol.
Better get to bed now. I need to turn the lights out before I get any more flying things in my room. You know how I feel about them !!
Nite nite
Love Kimx

Can I join in please?

Afternoon Everyone.
Another really hot day, although at least we have got a bit of a breeze here.
Well I thought that as I am a special guest on the Crafty Cardmakers blog (http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/) then maybe it was about time that I entered one of the challenges.
Craftycardmakers Challenge
This post will probably take me half the afternoon to organise but here goes.

The challenge is 'Inky Fingers' and I think this fits the bill given that my finger tips were orange by the time I had finished.
I realized afterwards that I should have got the kids to take a picture of my fingers for you to see how NOT clean I am after a crafting session lol.
July the 5th seems to be a very popular day for birthdays among my acquaintances as I have had 3 cards to make this weekend. One is for Mike, my good friend Gill's husband. Another for Mandie, a customer at the garage who also comes to classes. And finally Kovi, one of the guys that I work with.

The card I am sharing on the challenge is made for Mandie. I know from classes that orange and brown are her favourite colours, so I hope that she likes this. I hope she also appreciates all the handmade flowers on it, I really did get a bit carried away, but I think they all fit together a treat.The main stamped image is Penny Black 3939K Queen Anne's Lace and is available from Sirstampalot. http://www.sirstampalot.co.uk/

I have used my favourite distress inks to create the stamped panel which has also got a Penny Black greeting in the corner. This comes from a wonderful clear stamp set called Salutations 30-014 also available from Sir Stampalot. It is very useful as it contains a variety of greetings as well as the little dragonflies that also appear on the stamped panel.
The background papers are from stash and have been edged with distress inks using a small piece of cut and dry foam. Of course a Cuttlebug folder and Nestabilities Scalloped square just had to find their way into the card.

 The flowers have been punched from background papers which have then been edged with distress inks. The punches are Martha Stewart and Nelly Snellan.
As this card has been made using at least one Penny Black stamp, I thought that I would get brave and enter it into the Penny Black and Allsorts challenge as well. It seems to fit the bill of 'A burst of summer colour'
I've also noticed the Sirstampalot challenge is 'Lazy  Hazy Summer Days' so lets go for the hat trick shall we.
Now if I can just work out how to link the post to the challenges we will be fine lol.
Happy Crafting, this may take a while!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love and hugs
Kimx

Spring, or is it Summer Flowers?

Evening Girls.
I really am struggling with this heat at the moment, what an earth am I going to be like in August lol. I know that we shouldn't complain about it but you know us Brits never satisfied what ever the weather!!!
We have air-con at work and I have to say that it is the only thing that gets me through the day when the weather is hot - I could do with bringing it home with me. I also find it hard to be creative when it's like this, in fact I confess I came home and fell asleep how sad is that.


Here is another of the cards that I have made for my class on Wednesday evening. This time I have used the Hobby Art clear stamp set with the more solid floral images.
I just love this set, although I must say that I would love some of the images to be a little bigger - maybe I will have to work on Jenny and Chris he he.
The Memory Mist sprays that we are using in the class each come with their own co-ordinating mini chalk ink pad and it is these that I have used on this card.



Jenny very kindly loaned me enough stamp sets for the ladies to have one each to play with at Lavender Lane, so I am hoping that I can prevail on her good nature again.
Have a good evening.
Thanks for stopping by.
Love Kimx

Elegant Lady part 3

Morning, I'm having a lazy day today, not at work so I'm hoping to craft all day!!!!
This is the last lot of samples from the Elegant lady set that I did for Barbara. I think you can see a colour scheme throughout these hey!!

I spritzed the background paper with glimmer mist which I think just about shows up in these pictures.

This final card again uses the scroll stamp to create some background. I really should have used a punch to cut out the squares, must remember that next time, Still I think you get the idea.
Have a good day.
Happy Stamping
Love Kimx

Shabby Chic flower

Hello Everyone, thanks for dropping by, normal service has been resumed - only one post today, work interfered.


One of the things that I had to do over the weekend was prep for my next class at Davina's on Wednesday evening - Shabby Chic flowers.

I had great fun, lots of screwed up punched five petal daisies to make one flower.
Thank you Louise for teaching me the technique when I was in Peterboro last month.
Hope you like the card, I do. I have also used one of my new Magenta stamps.
Better get back to the craft room, where has another day gone!!
I can't believe how light it still is, isn't it amazing what a difference it makes putting the clocks forward. Some how lighter evenings and a bit of sunshine make crafting so much more enjoyable.
Happy Stamping
Love Kimx

A little Birdie told me.....

Good Evening Everyone, or should I say Good Morning now, thanks for stopping by.
Just a quick post tonight as it really is very late.
Another busy day at Sir Stampalot helping Janice and Andy pick orders and of course playing as well. The only trouble is that we get so engrossed in what we are doing that before you know where it is its 10pm and we still have to get home for some dinner!! And we always start early - well not for me I'm used to a 6am start - but I think Andy will be glad to see the back of me so that he can have a lie in again. I am definitely going to need a holiday to get over this one lol.
Anyway I have been playing with the metal embossing in preparation for my classes here on Thursday, so I thought that I would share one of the cards with you. I have used one of the wonderful Magenta stamps here and added some colour to parts of the image with alcohol inks.
I have mixed the colours with some glossy accents and then painted with them to add a little depth. The metal itself has been aged using acrylic paint.
I have, of course, added the new distress ink pads to my shopping basket and these have been used on the background papers.
The ribbon is new as well. In fact there are just so many yummy new things for me to see in their new shop that it's just as well that my lovely daughter is coming to pick me up on Friday and that I don't have to struggle home on the train.
Anyway time to pack up now as that alarm will be going off soon enough.
There are still a couple of places available on the classes, so if you fancy a break from the housework why not come along and join me and play with metal and alcohol inks. It's great fun and you can get to see the new shop!
Night for now
Love Kimx