Pearlescent Poppies

Evening All
Another productive day here in holiday land.
I haven't started on Clarity cards yet but I have managed to get on top of the cards for the next two issues of Craft Stamper. In fact they are actually for the July and August editions, magazines work so far in advance that it will soon be Christmas lol.
It is so much easier to work on these when I am here in the shop as I can wander round and pick items in the right colours. The colour scheme is always very specific and often not what I would think to choose which is great. I do like a challenge as you know. Of course I can't share the end result until it has appeared in the magazine, so for now you will have to content yourself with another of the cards that I made for last nights class.

The background has once again been made using pearl acrylic paint and distress ink pads. This time I have stamped and embossed Hero Arts CL449 Delicate Blossoms onto it.

I have coloured the Poppies using distress reinkers for a more intense colour. Once again the stamp has now sold out, but Janice is re-ordering it as we speak so she should have it back in stock again soon.

The punch is a Martha Stewart and the green background paper is another of the lovely designs from the Scribble Scrabble Bric-a-Brac collection. The gems are actually peel-off dots with a drop of glossy accents added to each one. It makes them look like expensive gemstones I think you will agree.
I'm off to make the dinner now, another of my jobs when I'm here. Well I do have to earn my keep some how.
Have a great evening.
Love and hugs
Kimx

The power of a card sample

Evening Everyone,
Normal service has now been resumed and I'm back to posting late in the evening lol.
It's been quite the hive of industry here over the last couple of days with the arrival of the new Magnolia magazines, we've been folding leaflets and stuffing envelopes for England :)
I've managed to get all of Jenny's samples made in between customers and tea making duties, so now it's on to Barbara's ones.

I have had a little digression in the middle of all this as I needed to make a couple of new samples for my class this evening. We have managed to sell out of the Hobby Art stamps that I had used originally before the class had even started, so I thought that I had better find something else to play with - Oh the power of a card sample!!

The class was on the Faux Mother of Pearl technique which I was supposed to have been demoing in December until the weather intervened. I have used Art Impressions Dahlia P3343. The background has been created using Pearl Acrylic paint and Distress Ink pads Forest Moss and Fired Brick.

The Dahlia has been stamped and embossed onto the background and then painted with bleach which has made it appear quite pink. The image has been cut out using a Nestie and has been finished with a Martha Stewart punch, stitched lines and some pearls.

I also made a small picture frame using a lovely Magenta stamp Butterflies and Swirls Dotted Frame. This is an old favourite of mine which I used for the project in the current issue of Craft Stamper (April 2011)
I really must go now and drag Janice and Andy away from their computers if we are ever to get home tonight. I will check back again tomorrow.
Nite Nite.
Love Kimx

Watercolour Wishes

Morning All
Wow another early night last night and an early post this morning, AND we've fitted in doing the weekly shopping. Now for the real work, back to the samples. It's a hard life when you're on your hols lol.

This card again uses the lovely Penny Black 4155L Flower amongst Flowers. Having inked the stamp using the Flannel kaleidacolor ink pad I spritzed it with water before stamping the image out.

It gives a lovely subtle water coloured effect I think you will agree. I cut the panel with a nestie of course and then mounted it onto various torn and punched papers. The greeting is from Woodware and is called All through the Year (FRCL171).

I've distressed the edges of the panels and added stitched borders with a fine black pen. One of the lovely things about making samples in the shop is that I can wander around and match colours to papers without having to wade my way through a stack of boxes. Of course its not so good for the bank balance, but I am on holiday after all.
I must get back to work now, and of course it must be time to make the tea - that's my job when I'm here. They say that they have never had to use the loo so often :)
Have a great day.
Happy Crafting
Love and hugs
Kimx

A Flower amongst Flowers

Morning All
Wow another morning posting, this holiday lark really is great isn't it :) We actually got back to the flat before 9pm last night, which has to be a first, so I made the most of what will probably be my only early night for the next week.

This is another of the cards using the embossed resist technique that I did with the girls in class yesterday. It uses another of the new stamps that found it's way in to my shopping basket. It's called Flower amongst Flowers (4155L) and is by Penny Black. I stamped and embossed in white and then sponged colour from a Kaleidacolor inkpad called Flannel.

The image has then been stamped again using the same multicoloured inkpad. I cut out the panel using my nesties, of course,  and then mounted it onto a piece of background paper from the Scribble Scrabble Bric-a-Brac collection. I blinged it up a little - I hope you approve Mrs Till lol.

Of course I had to add another Martha Stewart punch to my collection and this uses the corners from it. It's called Cherry Blossom.
I'm off to make the tea again now, and then it's back to the samples. I've got Hobby Art and Clarity shows to work on so I shall be a busy bunny.
Bye for now. Happy Crafting.
Love and hugs
Kimx

Resistance is futile!!!!!!

Morning All
Another early start here at SirStampalot. I have an all day class today so no chance of a lie in. Still its lovely and bright if a bit chilly.

I spent yesterday playing with the resist technique which is one of the things that the ladies will be doing today. Of course I just had to add some new stamps to my basket on arrival, so it made sense to play with them don't you think lol. This card uses Hero Arts F5352 Sweet Daffodils and H5424 Exotic Bloom.

The background paper is new in from Scribble Scrabble Sweet Shoppe collection, and the greeting is from Woodware FRCL171.

As you can see I had quite a productive day although they were not all made yesterday. I had better go now as the ladies are all champing at the bit, ready for the off.
Have a great day.
Love and hugs
Kimx

A big red thank you.

Hello all
I am now officially on my hols - in Peterborough of course. A week with Janice and Andy at SirStampalot playing in their craft shop, what more could a girl ask for??
My daughter Becki drove me up here yesterday after work. What is it with the M25, it doesn't seem to matter what time we set out it always ends up taking at least 4 hours for what the sat nav tells us is going to be a 2 and 1/2hour journey. Still never mind I'm here now and all set up in my little corner ready to play.

I thought I would share another couple of the cards from Barbara's last TV show. I've also just  noticed that it looks like this show is being repeated on Create and Craft channel 671 at 7pm on Sunday 20th March. That's tomorrow.

This card uses the Dog Roses and Celtic Thank You Text Box. The background paper is made with a brayered background and cling film (Barbara shows a similar technique on the show). This card seemed ideally suited to help me say Thank You to all of the customers who came into our garage yesterday and supported our efforts for Comic Relief. We raised the spectacular sum of £531, which was the best in our territory. So a very big thank you to everyone, it made dressing up as a school girl and looking silly for the day well worth the effort.

It was actually great fun and everyone got into the spirit of it.
From left to right Kovi, myself, Jeanette, Sega our Headmaster, I mean Manager, and Jude the Duty Manager. The lady visible over Sega's shoulder is Cheryl another cashier. The picture of me is dreadful, I hate having my photo taken and now you can see why.

This is another card using the same two stamps only this time I have stamped and embossed the images and then painted with bleach, a favourite technique of mine as you know.

It's time to make the tea again so I will get on with some playing.

Don't forget to watch the repeat of the show show tomorrow, if you get the chance and I will try and post again later.

Happy Crafting.

Love and hugs

Kimx

Thank you........ for watching

Evening, Well that was a bit of a shock to the system, opening the door this morning and finding a heavy frost!!
Still I suppose that it is rather in keeping with all the Christmas cards that I managed to finish at the weekend - 9 in total. I wonder how much longer I can keep this up?

Tonight's card is another from the TV show on Sunday. I think this one did get shown, if only briefly. As you may be able to tell I had no trouble making cards using the lovely Oats stamp.

This has been made using a Versafine Vintage Sepia ink pad combined with background papers. The Thank you is part of the Celtic Thank you Text Box stamp, also from the show.
I must admit I do like the colours on this one.
Look at the time I really must get to bed I seem to be burning the candle at both ends at the moment, and there is only 4 days to go till I go to Peterborough and then I really will be in for some long days lol.
Love and hugs
Kimx

Happy Birthday Barbara

Hi Guys
Hope you are all having a good weekend. It's been pouring with rain here so its been a good excuse to stay in and craft. I've been finishing off a few Christmas cards using leftover bits and pieces before I knuckle down to the next lot of cards for the TV - eat your heart out Mrs Till lol.
It's Barbara's birthday today and loads of people sent cards into the studio for her.

I thought that I would make something a little different for the show with this picture frame. I'm not sure that it fit the bill though as it didn't get shown. In fact not many of my samples made the grade this time it would seem, but never mind.

The background has been made using the stylus tool which has been heated and then pressed into the wheat stamp from the show. This gives you a negative image which has then been stamped in a symmetrical pattern using pigment inks.
Once I have cut the frame using a nestie I have stamped and embossed the wheat across the bottom.
A fine drawn line and some flowers finish it off.
Of course no frame is complete without a picture so I added one of my son Adam, maybe that's what she didn't like. Anyway I'm having a little breather at the moment before I get on again.
Have a good afternoon.
Love Kimx

A box full of Wonder

Evening Everyone
I've had a lovely day today at Lavender Lane teaching a very select group of ladies.

It was an all day class making a Stationery Box full of cards. Two of the ladies had already previously attended the class when we put it on last year, but wanted to do it again as they didn't want to give the first box away until they had made a second one lol.

This is what the wallet looks like when it is open. There is space for cards and envelopes, post-it notes, a pen, postage stamps, and gift tags or bookmarks.

This is the holder for the gift tags or bookmarks just above the postage stamp holder in the picture.

I have taught this class several times before and always try to make a new one using papers available in store at the time. Here I found some fabulous matching papers which I used with one of my nesties to embellish the panels. Of course a fine hand drawn border helps to add a finishing touch to each panel.

Any good box needs a lid and this one has both handmade and shop bought flowers on it.

We stopped for lunch once the box and basic lid had been made with the intention of making the cards to fill it in the afternoon. Because the ladies are all competent card makers I gave them the option to make a second box in the afternoon or to fill the first one with cards. They chose the former.
We were joined after lunch by Gill to make the cards to fill the box she made when the class was run previously. She hates making boxes and flowers so we were all tempted to say that we had changed the order of production and were making the box in the afternoon but we couldn't keep a straight face, besides she did bring us biscuits so we couldn't be mean to her could we?
Off to bed now, don't forget to watch Barbara tomorrow on Create and Craft channel 671 at 9am. I might just have to watch it in bed with a cup of coffee and a slice of toast. Well it will be Sunday and I do deserve one lie in lol.
Nite, nite.
Love and hugs
Kimx

Roadtrip to Clarity.......

Evening Everyone
I went on my road trip yesterday to deliver cards to Barbara for the TV on Sunday. I really don't like to trust them to the mercies of the Post Office, and it's not as if I have to drive to the other end of the country. It's only about 25 mins away.

As usual I can't share the new cards until the show has aired on Sunday 13th (Create and Craft channel 671 9am - 11am). I have just programmed the shows in to my Sky box so I don't forget.
There is no afternoon show this time as it is Barbara's birthday and she's going out for dinner, I think she deserves it after all the stresses of the TV studio and the presenters, so you will just have to content yourselves with two hours of crafting know how from one of Britain's Crafting Royalty.

The two cards this evening make use of the Wire Art Star and Wire Art Tree available from Clarity stamps.

The star on this card has been stamped and embossed on to a piece of handmade background paper and then wire has been wrapped around the image before it has been mounted onto the main card.
I have also wrapped thread around the edges of the purple panel making use of the good old Southwest corner punch.

The second tree on this has been stamped onto copper metal which has been heated to give it a multicoloured appearance. Not the best photo I know. I have also wrapped wire around the end of the main card.
I had better stop now and have a bite to eat before I go off to teach - Dazzling Diamonds at Davina's. A late night but an enjoyable one.
Have a good evening.
Love and hugs
Kimx

Lots of Hugs

Evening All
I've had a busy weekend so far, three stamp sets down and three still to go for Barbara's TV show next week so I thought that I would take a short break to share a card with you all.

I made this last week for someone very special who is in hospital at the moment.
I added the stamp to my stash at the show in Farnborough last weekend. It is made by Lili of the Valley and is called Little Nurse. They have some of the most adorable designs and their samples are just amazing - check out their website.

I've coloured the image with my trusted distress inks, and then cut it out using a nestie. The greeting is from a Woodware clear set designed by Jane Gill JGCL508 - Jane's Script and available from Sir Stampalot.

Of course it just had to be an Easel card, they stand up so much better, essential when you are lying in a hospital bed. I've used one of the Martha Stewart 'Punch around the Page' punches, pearls, buttons, some lovely lace and flowers.
Not TOO girly I hope, but sent with loads of love and hugs.
Break over, back to the stamp sets.
Love to all
Kimx

In the Frame

Hi All
Yeah I'm in print again. Page 36 of the latest edition of Craft Stamper (April) in the bottom left hand corner.
The theme this time was 'Framed', so what better way to show off piccies of my Grandchildren than a multiple frame.

I'm afraid that the pictures aren't exactly the best in the world, but they do at least give you some idea of what the finished article looked like. It does look better with the photos of the twins in it as in the magazine itself. I e-mailed them across to Janice and she chose which ones she wanted. Saskia was most impressed when she saw her brother and herself in print lol.

The frame was made with a trusted Magenta stamp Butterflies and Swirls Dotted Frame available from Sir Stampalot. Of course there had to be some nesties used and a few flowers to complete the ensemble.
I've sent off the May and June projects already so now it's on to the next TV show for Barbara - no rest for the wicked this weekend that's for sure.
Hope you have a good one.
Happy Crafting
Love and hugs
Kimx

The power of positive thinking.....

Evening Everyone
I've had a lovely first day at the Farnborough Show working for Lavender Lane. It's always a little hectic getting set up for a workshop and a demo - have I remembered everything!!!!!  And then there is that hour before the class starts where you can't really settle into doing anything. I just wandered around the stalls contemplating my next purchases, very dangerous lol.

This is a card that I made for the 'Acetate and Inks' class at Lavender Lane last Saturday. It uses my favourite Hobby Art - Anna's collection Just for You which I am also using on my workshops at Farnborough.
The workshop is actually 'Black and White with a hint of colour' but as the samples didn't get finished till 11.30pm yesterday evening you will forgive me if I don't have any piccies as yet.

 

The images have been stamped onto acetate and then the textured background has been made with Glossy Accents, dye based ink and crumpled copy paper. Once it is completely dry I have cut a shape using one of my Nesties. The green background paper has been stamped in each corner with brown versafine ink, as have the cream circles. The finishing touches are gold card stock and a border drawn with a fine black pen.

I am once again staying at 'Chez Till' where Chef Mike cooked lamb for dinner, my favourite :)

I am always made to feel so welcome, even though I'm sure I must put them out - prepping classes into the wee small hours doesn't exactly endear you to people although they never make me feel that it is a problem. Let's hope they don't talk about me too much when I leave!!!

Gill will be visiting the show tomorrow with a friend. We got her a ticket last year for the Sunday as a way of saying Thank You. Of course that day was cancelled due to the high winds so she is taking no chances this time lol.

So I have to say that my week has definitely finished in a better manner than it began.

Last Wednesday has got to count as one of the longest of my life as I waited for news on a close relative undergoing major surgery. I have never known a morning to drag so. 6 hours seemed like an eternity.

Everything has gone well so I am certainly feeling a little more relaxed now than I was a few days ago.

I'm afraid that I'm not at all religious but I do believe in the power of positive thinking and it seems to have worked it's magic on this occasion, thank goodness.

I'd better get some shut eye now as I have to do this all over again tomorrow - it's never as bad the second day.

Pop over and say Hi if you are at the show I would love to see you.

Have a great weekend.

Love and hugs to All

Kimx

To see the world in a grain of sand...................

Evening, I hope you have all had a good weekend. The weather here has been awful, wet, windy and cold, a really good excuse to stay inside and craft as if I needed one lol.

 I told you I liked this stamp, I made several cards with it for Barbara's last TV show.

This one makes use of a card template and glimmer mists to create the squared background which I have then stamped and embossed over. Background papers and peel-off dots add the finishing touches.
I have been working hard on a couple of new samples for Jenny's TV Show on Wednesday (Create and Craft 671 11am - 12pm and 3pm - 4pm). She will be showing off the new DVD and stamps with a seaside theme, check it out if you get the chance.
I think I had better get an early night, I have a busy and stressful week in front of me before I make it to the show in Farnborough at the weekend.
Love and hugs to you all
Kimx

Oh what a day.....

Evening Everyone,
Is it Friday the 13th by any chance, it certainly could have been today. Or at the very least one of those old fashioned comedies starring Norman Wisdom !!
I have done wonders for International relations as I spent most of the morning trying to help a couple get their car back to France after they put the wrong fuel in it. Then we had an accident at the entrance to the forecourt, fortunately nothing serious, and then to round it all off I ended up dog watching while a lady went in to the store and did some shopping!!!!! She wanted some wine so I was much better off with the dog as I have absolutely no idea when it comes to anything alcoholic.
So my day has been nothing if not eventful. Still at least it makes the time pass quickly when you are at work.

Anyway that's enough of that, on to something creative.
This has to be one of my favourite cards of all time. I made it for Barbara's TV show last weekend.

The main panel has been made using the embossed resist technique. This has been cut into several pieces which have then been put back together onto a silver panel.

The 'moon' has been achieved by placing a mask over the embossed image before the colour has been sponged over it.
A few pearls and some peel-off lines finish the whole thing off.
I will be demoing this technique using Hobby Art stamps at the show in Farnborough next weekend, so pop by and say hello.
I must get to bed now as I have another lovely day teaching at Lavender Lane tomorrow.
Hope you have a good weekend.
Love and hugs
Kimx

Just dropping in...............

Evening,
Here's another cute kids card.

This time it has been made using one of my many clear stamp sets from Penny Black.
It was ordered by my friend Kevin for his Grandson who will be having a very noisy birthday party on Sunday.

I expect that there will be plenty of balloons, but I'm not sure about low flying hedgehogs lol.
I do like the clear sets, they are such good value for money and so much better now the images are that much bigger.

I have stamped and embossed the images and then coloured them with my distress inks. The name plaque has been made from cream shrink plastic - just perfect to finish it off.
I will try and post some more of the cards that I made for Barbara tomorrow, but for now I must get back to my class prep for Saturday. Two full classes at Lavender Lane - Spring Florals and Acetate and Inks so there will be plenty more things to share.
Love and hugs to All
Kimx

Ribbit, Ribbit

Evening,
It really does seem to have been a busy month for birthdays, especially ones for little people.

The two cards tonight were actually made using some Penny Black stickers. They are brilliant when you need a card in a hurry as they are already coloured in. It's a bit of a cheat I know, but sometimes it just has to be done. Of course you can make them look every bit as special as one that you have stamped and coloured in yourself, it just cuts down on the time.

Because they are clear stickers it can be best to back them onto white card since anything you stick them to does have a tendency to show through a little.

I'm afraid the photography is not quite as sharp as it might be but I hope that it gives you a couple of ideas.
I've added cuttlebugged background and punched panels, and of course a greeting or two.
Off to bed now before I fall asleep as I write this.
Sleep tight.
Love and hugs
Kimx