A Candle in the Sparkle

Evening Everyone,
Has it been cold in your neck of the woods?
They keep predicting the 'white stuff' and it has certainly been cold enough for it at work today, so here is an appropriately chilly Christmas card.

When I was at the NEC with Imagination in November I did a Make and Take using the fabulous Diamond Sparkle Medium, a brayer and some white card.
It occurred to me while we were playing that it might make a good background to stamp onto, and as there is only one way to find out, I tried it............it works beautifully as you can see. It's just a shame that the sparkle doesn't show up too well in the photos.

I coloured the candle and holly using Promarkers and fussy cut them out before adding them to the main image using silicon.
I kept the rest of the card very simple and just added a 'wiggly' border using a fine permanent pen.
I would like to enter it into the following challenges.
Christmas Card Challenges - Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenges - No Designer Papers
Glitter and Sparkle - Bling it Up
Thanks for stopping by, lets hope this doesn't act as a prediction for tomorrows weather lol.
Hugs Kimx

Christmas Bargello

Evening Everyone,
Wow another weekend has flown by, where do the days disappear to?
I have managed to get a couple of things finished at least, and we have finally got around to watching a few episodes of Sinbad that we taped sometime last year. What an exciting life I lead lol.

This is one of that cards that I have made as part of my Christmas card tally for February.
I didn't get off to a very good start in January since I only managed to make two Christmas cards, thank goodness for the ones that I had left over from last year.

The central stamped image is from a Magenta cling stamp set available through stockists of Woodware products. I have stamped and embossed it and painted it using Distress inks.

The background is Paper Bargello and is made from scraps of background paper.
It is also one of the classes that I will be teaching when I am at Sirstampalot in a couple of weeks time.
I would like to enter this into the following challenges
ABC Christmas Challenge where D is for Designer Papers
Weekly Christmas Card Challenges where Anything Goes
hugs Kimx

Another 'Painted' Christmas card

Evening Everyone,
I've been at it again, another Christmas card, and just as the radio operator has finally stopped playing Christmas songs lol.
We are back with some good old songs from the 60's to the present day, and some that I am hearing for the very first time. You can't help but sing along, rather quietly and under your breathe, and definitely not when serving a customer :O) It's just a shame that for once there is no presenter so I have no idea who is singing.
While we are on the subject of things from the past I have used a sketch from the archives at Sunday Sketch and Stamp where challenge 137 is Free Choice using a previous sketch.

It is amazing what you can find lurking in that box of Christmas bits. this time it is the lovely Magenta stockings which were stamped and embossed using black versafine and clear embossing powder, and then sponged with ink from the Kaleidacolor Berry Blaze ink pad.

The white patches have been created by painting the image with bleach and then the entire panel has been embossed using Crystal Embossing powder.
Once again I have used a panel of Faux Mother of Pearl background (instructions HERE). So I would like to enter the card into the challenge at Christmas Card Challenges where they are asking you to use paint. Pearl Acrylic paint is used to create the Mother of Pearl background.

I stamped and embossed the main card with some Stampendous Snowflakes and Frantage Shabby White Embossing Enamel and then sponged some more of the Berry Blaze ink around the edges.

The purple panel has also got Snowflakes stamped onto it using a Versamark ink pad.
The white corners are peel-offs.
Oh dear another late night, good job I can have a lie in tomorrow since I am not at work.
Hugs Kimx

Use Paint for a Christmas Card Challenge

Evening Everyone,
Well Christmas may be over for another year, but someone needs to tell the radio operator for our store, he keeps sneaking in the occasional Christmas classic.
Just as well I've been a good girl then and made my first Christmas card for 2013.
At Christmas Card challenges this week they are asking you to use paint.
Now it may not be immediately obvious to you, but I have used Pearl Acrylic Paint to create my favourite Mother of Pearl background.

 I love this technique, which I found HERE. I have used a Penny Black stamp Christmas View which I got when I was at SirStampalot in November.

I have used Distress Inks to colour the background and the main image. I did a little decoupage and added some Stardust Glitter Glue and some tiny gems.

The other background papers are all from my stash and include Bo Bunny, October Afternoon and Bazzil.
As you can see I even got carried away and decorated the envelope. I wonder how long that little extra will last lol.
The card started out using one of the sketches over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp but I got a little carried away so I will have to have another try, maybe tomorrow.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs Kimx

A couple of Christmas Challenges

Evening Everyone,
Hope that you are well. I am coping much better with the weather today as it has been much cooler here. Much more my type of weather, not too hot, and a light breeze.

This card was made a little while ago but fits perfectly into a couple of this weeks challenges.
Weekly Christmas Card Challenges are looking for Faith.
The theme challenge this week at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown is to use a Christmas Carol or Hymn for inspiration. Depict the title, line or verse from any Christmassy song.
The main image on my card makes me think of Oh Little Town of Bethlehem.
Finally Craftyhazelnuts Christmas Challenge asks for a building to be included.

I have coloured my image which is a Stampendous stamp using a Watercolour technique and my Kaleidacolour ink pads.
I'm not sure which one since this was from my Christmas bits box.
I have layered it over black glossy card cut using a Nestie.
The zigzag is also a stamp but I have no idea who it is made by.
That's another card for my Christmas stock pile. It really has worked well checking out the Christmas challenges this year, I have had so much fun making them.
Wow this post is early for me, I might even get to do a little more on a DT piece before bedtime, but for the moment dinner calls.
Happy Crafting and have a great evening.
hugs Kimx

Use Something New

Evening Everyone,
Well I made it through my very early start.
I could have done without the large moth that was fluttering around my window at 3.30 this morning. I hate moths, and I could hear this one but not see it !!!!!! I just hope that it has moved on and doesn't give a repeat performance lol

The challenge this week at Weekly Christmas Card challenges is for you to 'Use Something New'.
I don't think that they get any newer than this fabulous stamp from the latest Woodware catalogue. I think that this one has to be one of my favourites, for the moment at least :O)

I made the deep red background paper with Adirondack dye based inks and cling film.
The 25 has been painted with neat bleach to remove the colour, and I added some tiny white dots with a souffle pen.
There is also a little bit of paper piecing, so I will enter it into the latest challenge at the ABC Christmas Challenge blog.

I added some faux Card Candi made from the background paper.
The berries are peel-off dots which I coloured with a Promarker and then topped with a dot of Glossy Accents.
Hugs Kimx

A Christmas Sentiment

Evening Everyone,
I hope that the start to your week has been a good one.
I'm afraid that as usual Monday has completely wiped me out, even a 'granny nap' hasn't fixed it so I had better get this done quickly so that I can get to sleep.

This card has been made to enter into a couple of the lovely Christmas challenges that I have been following.

First up is Weekly Christmas Card Challenges who are looking for Embossed Resist.
I suppose that this is more accurately multiple resist, but maybe they will forgive me as there is embossing on it as well.

Secondly Winter Wonderland want a Sentiment as the Focal Point. I think that this definitely fits that challenge.
I have got quite a production line going at the moment as I have several corner bookmarks to make for the Grandchildren to give their teachers at the end of term. I shall definitely have to get a move on with them as they break up on Friday midday.
The Olympic torch is going through Godstone village that afternoon (it's the village next door) and so the schools are finishing early so that people can get to watch it.
I will be at work so I will just have to catch it in the local newspapers instead.
Saskia is all excited at the moment as it will be hers and Ciaran's birthday tomorrow.
We've been telling her that Tuesday is cancelled this week but she doesn't believe us.
The joys of being 5, only one more sleep to go lol.
Hugs Kimx

A Monochrome Christmas

Evening Everyone,
I'm afraid that we are still no nearer any sunshine in my neck of the woods, in fact I'm quite surprised that we haven't all developed webbed feet and gills!!
Maybe I can scare the sun in to putting in an appearance by posting a couple of Christmas cards.

There are a couple of Christmas challenges that are looking for Monchromatic cards so I decided that that was a good place to start when making some more Christmas cards.

Once again I have managed to use up some more pieces from my Christmas bits box.
It is looking a little less full these days, but only because I had a bit of a sort out and gave my friend Sylvie a pile of bits that she might be able to make cards with.
Once she has made them into cards she sends them to a charity shop who have been selling them and donating all of the proceeds to the charity that her son supports. He recently finished a magnificent run along the canals that took him a week to complete. Sorry I can't remember the exact details and I don't want to give incorrect info so I will have to check it out tomorrow and let you know.

This next card uses very similar ingredient, a piece of Moonshadow background paper which has been stamped over, a Hero Arts snowman, and Hobby Art greeting.

Don't forget the dye based ink and bleach that I have used to paint the snowman.
I am entering these into the following challenges
Winterwonderland - Monochrome
Weekly Christmas Card challenges - Monochrome
52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Anything Goes.
Hugs Kimx

A little bit of Bling for a Christmas Card Challenge

Evening Everyone,
I hope that you have managed to find some shade today and haven't got too much sun.
Tonight offering is a bid to cool me down a little, not that I am wishing snow you understand, but I do struggle in the heat.

This was made a while ago for a Christmas challenge involving Gingham, but I never got around to posting it, so I thought that tonight was as good a time as any.

Once again it was made using bits from my Christmas box, but I think the Snowman is an old Stampendous stamp. I added some snow covered with glitter although that doesn't show up too well in the photo.

The background panel uses a Magnolia Christmas Text Background and  Sweet Snowflake.
Of course what is Christmas without a little bling so I thought that I would enter it in to the challenge over at Christmas Card Challenges where they are looking for just that.
Just to remind you that Jenny from Hobby Art will be on the box tomorrow - Create and Craft Sky channel 671 at 9am - 10am and then again at 3pm - 4pm.
I had better try and get some sleep now.
Lets hope thoughts of snowmen will cool me down, it's not working so far it has to be said lol.
Night, night
hugs Kimx

Frosty the Snowman

Evening Everyone
Just a very quick post tonight before I miss the challenges that this card was made for lol.

Firstly I would like to enter it into the challenge at Winter Wonderland where they are looking for a snowman as the main feature.

At Christmas Cards All Year Round  the challenge is A Favourite Christmas Carol or Song so I think Frosty the Snowman is quite appropriate.
Weekly Christmas Card Challenges suggest that you use an Old / Neglected stamp, so this definitely qualifies.

I'm sure that I had some others in mind, but I can't find where I wrote down my list of suggestions so this will have to do.
The stamped panel was made by sponging dye based ink over a stamped and embossed image and then painting the snowman with bleach. Finally I covered the entire thing with Crystal Embossing powder to give it a bit of bling.
The background paper is from my stash and has been run through an embossing folder before being given a distressed finish with an emery board.
Another Christmas card to cross off my list.
hugs Kimx

Do die cut buttons count?

Evening Everyone
I've been trying very hard to get on top of my commenting today so not much has been achieved on the crafting front.
Just as well I have been quite productive with my Christmas card making over the last couple of days or it might have been a picture less post lol.

This week several of the challenges, including Woodware are looking for 'Buttons and Bows' on your cards.

This card uses a favourite Magenta stamp of mine which I have stamped and embossed and then coloured using a watercolour technique and dye based inks.

The background papers are from my stash, and I added a die cut star and button.
I would like to enter this into the challenge at 52(Christmas) Card Throwdown where their embellishment challenge is also looking for buttons and bow, I hope that one will count.
Over at Weekly Christmas Card Challenges they are looking for you to have used punches, and Christmas Cards All Year Round have put out a call for Design Team members.
I am not sure that I am up to taking on another DT position but I think I am up to the challenge of being a Guest Designer.
Back to commenting now I guess, or I might even give it a miss and try and get a reasonably early night.
Tomorrow, as they say, is another day.
Night night
hugs
Kimx

A Christmas card for Fetch a Sketch challenge 19

Evening everyone,
I have been babysitting this evening while my Daughter and Sin-in-Law went to Megan's first Parents Evening at Secondary School.
Of course we had to watch our favourite babysitting film Mulan and eat Cream and Caramel eggs.
Yes I am a bad Mamma, fill them full of sugar and E numbers just before bedtime. Still I did brush their teeth so I'm not all bad lol.

I have joined in with the latest challenge over at Fetch a Sketch and came up with another Christmas card.

The stamped panel was once again created using Stampin Up stamps and ink only this time I cut it into 9 squares and mounted them onto white card stock.

I tapped pine cone ink around the edges of each square, before mounting them onto the small white card.

I would also like to enter this into the picture inspired challenge over at Weekly Christmas Card challenges.

I had better get to bed now. 

I'm off to SirStampalot tomorrow for my holiday. Lots of late nights and early mornings, I am soooo looking forward to it.

Maybe you will pop in and say Hi, I look forward to seeing you.

Hugs Kimx

Create Your Own Background for A Christmas Sketch

Evening Everyone,
Well I have been keeping in the spirit of the cold weather and have continued with my Christmas card making.
I was lucky enough to get another Honourable Mention for my Add an Extra Embellishment card at 52(Christmas) Card Throwdown last week so it would be rude not to enter the challenge again this week where they have a lovely sketch for you.

Also they are asking you to Create Your Own Backgrounds at Weekly Christmas Card Challenges, so I have combined the two in the card I am sharing with you tonight.

Once again I have used a previously stamped image from my Christmas bits box.
It has been stamped and embossed onto black card and then the image has been painted with thin undiluted bleach.

The piece of brown background had been made using coffee (strong and black) which has been painted onto white card stock and then covered with a piece of cling film until it is dry. Once dry the swirly Christmas background has been stamped over it using a Sepia Versafine inkpad.

The other pieces of background paper are from my stash, and the greeting is part of a Hobby Art wooden stamp.
I wish I could say that my bits box is looking empty, but that would be very far from the truth, still at least I have added another Christmas card to my tally.
I hope it warms up a bit tomorrow, I have been chilled to the marrow all day, the thermal underwear is certainly not having the desired effect lol.
Hugs Kimx

What's your favourite technique?

Hi All
Have you had a good weekend. I hope you have had a chance to watch Jenny from Hobby Art on the box this afternoon.
If not don't forget she will be back at 7pm with more ideas and card samples.
This afternoon she spoke about the play date that we had a couple of weeks ago and the Faux Mother of Pearl technique that I taught them all.
I didn't come up with the idea, I found it over at Splitcoast Stampers, but at the moment it has to be one of my favourite techniques.
The background for the card I am sharing with you tonight was made using this technique, a step by step tutorial for which can be found HERE.

Once I had made the background, I stamped and embossed the images on to it before adding colour using Distress inks.

The panel has been mounted onto background paper and then ribbon and glossy accents have been added.

I am entering this into a couple of challenges

Christmas Cards All Year Round - Non Traditional Christmas Colours.

Weekly Christmas Card Challenges - Favourite Technique 

I am finally getting down to the DT work, but I thought I would have a little bit of a break and do a bit of Blogging.

By the way Gill, I got an Honourable Mention over at 52(Christmas) Card Throwdown with this card that I showed you in class. But as they say, You have to be in it to Win it!!

Happy Crafting.

Hugs Kimx

A Christmas Flourish

Evening,
It has been so cold at work today, seasonal weather I know, but we never seem ready for it what ever the weather is like!!
We didn't have any snow just a very heavy frost, and cold enough to make me think of Christmas more than Spring so it must be time to share another Christmas card with you.

This card has been made using another stamped image from my Christmas bits box. I think it is by Stampendous, but I'm sure that Dorothy will let me know if I am wrong :)
I have stamped and embossed it and then watercolored it using dye based inks.

I have layered the panel over Bazzill Dotted Swiss card stock that has first been stamped and embossed with a lovely swirl.
I think the watercolouring is cool enough to enter into the challenge over at Woodware where they are looking for Winter Wonderland, cool, cool colours, even if the purple does warm it up a little.

Of course the swirls just screamed out for a little bling.
I would also like to enter this into the challenge over at Weekly Christmas Card Challenges where they are looking for Flourishes, and Christmas Cards All Year Round where the challenge is Non Traditional Christmas colours with the added bonus of Embossing.
Better get some sleep now. Perhaps I ought to get my sexy thermal underwear out of storage ready for tomorrow first or will that mean that we have above average temperatures lol.
Nite nite.
hugs Kimx