Woodware challenge but without the stamps!!!!

OK you know how things can disappear in to the black hole that is your craft table (well if it's anything like mine that is). You've used a stamp, a clear one no less, and then when the card is finished you can't find the stamp anywhere.
Well that is exactly what happened to me when I made my card for the last Woodware challenge. The lovely little mouse from my set disappeared into thin air. I checked everything, even the bins bit by bit yuk.
I had resigned myself to never being able to use the little mouse again sob sob.
Then I went to prep for my class on Saturday at Davina's (Stampcraft in Purley) and there sitting on the top of an ink pad was a little mouse yeahhhhh.

We are using this lovely Poppy stamp from Hobby Art on Saturday, but I have made the card using the Woodware Challenge sketch in the hopes that they will be inspired to make something similar but using a Woodware stamp. I will have some of those with me as well :)

The red strip of paper has been made using the Stylus tool which is something that I will be teaching them on Saturday. I love it for making background papers.
I coloured the image with dye based inks on watercolour card.
I also added some metallic swirls and a punched border.
I have been trying to leave comments tonight but am having no luck at all. I don't know what is going on with blogger. I do wish they would stop playing around with it. What is it they say - If it ain't broke don't fix it lol.
Sorry guys I will try again tomorrow, but this is just to let you all know that I really do appreciate you taking the time to leave me messages.
I must get an early night. My lovely daughter seems to have passed me her cold and I am starting to feel all bunged up. Lemsip and bed me thinks.
Have to be well for Saturday it looks like we have a full house which is brilliant.
Hugs Kimx

Christmas Cards All Year Round

I don't seem to have managed very much on the craft front over the last couple of days. Still I suppose that makes up for all the activity on the crafty front over the weekend.
I spent yesterday catching up with some blog posts, e-mails and commenting on the new challenge at Crafty Cardmakers, it's amazing how quickly people have entered. I've just checked and I'm way behind again!!
I still have a couple of posts to do if I stand any chance of keeping you all up to date with the things that I've made and also entering the challenges that I have found, and made cards for before they close.

I told you I was determined to keep on top of all my Christmas cards, well over at Christmas Cards All Year Round, the challenge this month is 'Non Traditional Colours' with a bonus challenge of some embossing if possible. Not a problem, well the embossing at least lol.
In fact even the colour choice wasn't hard to follow. I have never been a strict follower of Traditional Christmas colours. Because I like to make my own backgrounds and love playing with inks I always seem to end up with masses of bits, especially after a demo or class. Not always your traditional Christmas colours but what the heck. What it's all about is fun, and who said Christmas has to be red and green anyway.

Being on my using up leftovers kick I made this card out of my Christmas Bits Box. It's amazing what you find. The only trouble is when you come to post sometimes you can't for the life of you remember how you made the particular background bit that you have used, or what Company the stamp comes from. Never mind you get the idea, and you can always adapt it to fit with what you have in your bits box lol.

On this particular occasion I do know that the tree stamp is by Magenta Sketch Christmas Tree and the greeting is from a Hobby Art clear stamp set Christmas Sentiments.
The paper that the Christmas tree has been stamped and embossed on to is made from Adirondack Colorwash inks and I remember using some bleach on it which is what caused the image to go yellow in places.
I added some Card Candy and swirls. The brown card is from my stash, and the black card from my Christmas bits box.
Definitely not traditional colours but I really like it. Why not have a go yourself.
Nite nite
Kimx

How Embarrassing

Evening Everyone,
What's that they say about the lottery, 'You've got to be in it to win it!' Well apparently the same goes for challenges cause I have just won the Woodware Challenge again!!!
Now come on people this is getting embarrassing, it's about time that someone else won, but if you don't enter..............
My prize is some money to spend in the Craft shop of your choice.
With all of the wonderful things that Woodware sell the hard part will be deciding what to buy. What a hardship lol :)
I'm not sure which card won as I entered twice, so it could be
this one made with an Artemio clear stamp set. Or this one
made with a lovely Woodware clear stamp set. Either way I feel very honoured.
Now don't forget that you have till the end of January to enter the latest sketch challenge HERE. Why not stop by and have a look.
Come on give me a run for my money, I've only entered once so far he he:)
Off to bed now to dream of Crafty things.
Nite nite
Hugs Kimx

The Stampman 3rd Annual Awards

Hi
Over at THE STAMPMAN they have been asking you to look back over the last year and enter what you consider to be your best, or favourite piece of work into their 3rd Annual Awards.
There is a random prize draw for the top prize of £30 of Stamp Man vouchers and 4 runners up.
Now I have found this to be a real toughy.
I went back over all of my posts for last year and found it very difficult to narrow down the list. It's amazing how many favourites you have, and projects that you had completely forgotten about. I discovered that I have had quite a few things that I really liked. How to narrow it down?
My favourites have included the following.....
13.7.11 - A Wedding in Pakistan, So cute and I loved this colour combo.
27.5.11 - High Flight by John Gillespie Magee. I was so pleased with how this one turned out, and it was on the telly lol.
14.8.11 - Mini File Folder Just because I made it for my Mum :)
31.10.11 - Brown Pink and Cream. This was probably one of my favourite Christmas cards. Love this stamp.
5.11.11 - Here's what I did with my Winnings. What can I say, I won this stamp in a challenge and then this card which I made with it won another one!!
28.11.11 - Heat Embossing. Loved this challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers. I do so love embossing it's definately my favourite thing.
11.12.11 - Ethnic Santa.
This was made for a lady at work. She was so thrilled to be able to have a 'Black Santa' card for her Mum and Dad.

But I think my over all favourite, but not by much, is probably
29.01.11 - Back in the Magazines. This was a card that I made for Craft Stamper.
It's been a long time since I had something published, it's a wonderful feeling.
What do you think about my list?
Let me know, it will be interesting to see if anyone else agrees or if I have left something out.
Hugs Kimx

New challenge at Crafty Cardmakers - No Floral Embellishments

Afternoon Everyone,
Today sees the start of a brand new challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers.
Our host for this Challenge is Fiona who has asked for 'No Floral Embellishments'
You can use flower Backing Paper, flowers in your image or even a flower as an image, but NO floral embellishments, so no flowers, flower shaped buttons, or anything else resembling a flower that you have added to the finished card
Our Sponsors this time are One Stop Card Craftswho are offering a £10 voucher for their store and Digi Doodle Shop who are offering a $10 gift certificate for their store.

For my card I have used an old leaf stamp by Hero Arts. I stamped and embossed the image randomly onto a piece of white copy paper using versamark and white embossing powder.

Then I painted the paper with Starburst Stains available form The Stampman. While the paper is still very wet screw it up, and then gently open it back out again. Don't panic it is very therapeutic.
Vixykins has a tutorial on how to make backgrounds using the Scrunch Technique over on her blog. The only difference would be to stamp and emboss the paper before following her instructions.

Once the paper is dry,(you can heat set it if you are really impatient or even put it in the oven like Vix :), or maybe make a whole pile of papers one evening and then leave them to dry over night) trim a panel slightly smaller than the card that you are wanting it to fit.
I then tore the panel in half and 'stitched' it back together using metallic thread.
I actually found it easier to fix the panels onto the card with DSST and then stitch.

I added a layered panel with a stamped and embossed greeting which I'm afraid was from my stash so I can't remember who it is made by.
Not a flower in sight!!
I hope you have fun playing, that's what our challenge is all about.
Bye for now, Happy Crafting.
hugs
Kimx

A day of Inspiration and Creativity

Evening Everyone,
Well yesterdays 'Creatathon' at Hobby Art has certainly got me in creative mood.

I have finished off the couple of pieces that I made when I was showing the girls how to create the Faux Mother of Pearl background.

Red poppies, how very traditional! They just screamed out for gingham background paper don't you think?

I confess that this colour combo was pinched from Jane, Scattered Straw and Evergreen Bough distress inks. You see we all learnt something from one another, even if it was just new colour combos :)

Far less traditional colours for poppies, but it works just as well I think. I coloured over my poppies with Promarkers for added depth of colour. The cardstock that I used was not very good for water colouring.

Artwork by Jane Gill

I even managed to get Jane's lovely pieces of artwork mounted up for her, as per her suggestions.

Artwork by Jane Gill

On this card she added a handwritten greeting. Now you can see why she designs stamp sets lol.

I have also managed to finish off 16 Christmas cards. Only 2 are from scratch, the rest were just the boring bits - envelopes and inserts, but that is the bit that takes the time.

I am so determined that I will keep on top of Christmas this year. That's why I have been keeping my eye on several of the Christmas all Year Round challenges that have appeared in my blog list.

Have to get my post sorted out for the new Challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers that goes live tomorrow, so I had better sign off now.

Hope you have had a great weekend, and hopefully a creative one, I certainly have.

Hugs Kimx

Oh What a Lovely Day!!

Evening Everyone,
I have had such a lovely day at our Creatathon.
Jenny at Hobby Art organised a day where several lovely crafty ladies could get together and swap ideas.
I was lucky enough to be amongst the invited gathering which included Jane Gill, Charry Wijers, Alexandra Kamann and Anna Flanders. Unfortunately Paula Pascual was ill and Helen Meighan had a last minute family crisis.
I don't know about a stamp and slim club, this was definitely a stamp and get fat get together.

The table positively growned at lunch time, and we had already had danish pastries with morning coffee. Charry had brought sweeties, Alex a poppy seed cake and Jenny's daughter had made us each a cup cake to bring home.
I made the coffee, I know my place lol.

Made by Charry and Alex.

It wasn't all eating I promise. I showed them all how to create the lovely Faux Mother of Pearl background in the morning and Alex gave us lots of tips and techniques with Copics in the afternoon. Still not my thing but I loved watching what everyone else did.

Made by Alex.

We didn't finish any cards, in fact I have brought Jane's pieces home to finish off for her.
She has been making cards for England, or at least the new Woodware catalogue, just lately and so I offered to mount her pieces of art work to give her a break.

Made by Jenny

Obviously we used Hobby Art stamps, and this one has to be one of my favourites at the moment.

Made by Alex

We have decided that we will try and get together on a regular basis hopefully every couple of months. So next time it will be someone Else's turn to share. I will try and finish off my sample pieces tomorrow if I get the chance.
I think first I had better find a few minutes to hop on the exercise bike and work off some of this food :)
Happy Crafting Everyone.
hugs
Kimx

Off to play at Hobby Art

Evening Everyone
Hope you have all had a good day, I can't believe that it is the weekend again already.
I am so looking forward to tomorrow as I am off to play with several lovely crafty ladies over at Hobby Art.

Jenny has organised a get together and 'teachathon'. Several of us are getting together and as well as catching up we have also agreed that we will each 'teach' the others something.
The idea is not to make finished cards but rather showcase a technique, so I decided that I would teach them how to create the fabulous Faux Mother of Pearl background.

I have used the technique here on this card that I made for Jenny's last TV show.
I found the technique over at Splitcoast Stampers, and have fallen in love with it. It makes the most stunning backgrounds suitable for any sort of stamped images.
Not sure who else will be there tomorrow, apart from Jenny and Anna (the designer of several Hobby Art stamp sets) but I am sure that we will all have a brilliant time.
Hugs for now
Kimx

Barbara is back at the weekend

Evening Everyone
I hope that you have all had a lovely relaxing few days at home. Did you think of me having to work? I doubt it, still finally back to reality now all the local schools have gone back.

I have been on a little bit of a road trip today delivering samples to Barbara for her next TV show on Sunday. (Create and Craft Sky 671 10am - 12pm and again at 2pm - 3pm.)

I have been asked not to share any samples with you before the show goes on the air, so instead this is one that I made for one of the classroom shows last year.
Don't forget to tune in on Sunday for your monthly fix of crafty ideas from a lovely lady. I certainly will.
An early night tonight me thinks.
Nite nite
Kimx

January Sketch Challenge over at Woodware

 
Evening Everyone,
Tonight I am sharing the card that I have made using the sketch over at the Woodware challenge.

It has actually been made for my good friend Anna who lost her Mum just after Christmas.
The black and white panel has been stamped and embossed using the large flower head from the Stampendous clear set SSC1111 Agapanthus Thank You, black versafine ink and clear embossing powder.
I distressed the edges using weathered wood distress ink and some Metallic rub-ons from Kit no 3.

The central black panel has been stamped and embossed using the fine line flower head and then the images have been painted using thin bleach.
I also added a greeting to both panels from Woodware clear set JGCL508 Jane's Script.
The card candy has been punched from some of the left over pieces and attached using silicon.

The main image has been created using another Stampendous stamp Agapanthus Cluster and decorators chalks. It was cut out using a nestie and layered over more of the purple card stock.
Why not have a go at making a card following this sketch. You have the entire month of January to come up with something, and you never know you might win a prize.
Add your creation using the link at the bottom of the Mondays Post, and don't forget you can still enter even if you don't have a blog, by e-mailing a picture of your card to Dorothy at dorothy@woodware.co.uk.
Good Luck, and most of all have fun.
hugs Kimx

Just because I wanted to..

Hi All
Just a quick post tonight before I get to bed.

This card was made just because I wanted to, not for any one in particular. 

Once again I have been trying to use bits up so this has been made out of bits left over from a card that I made for one of the challenges over at Woodware.

The floral stamps are by Artemio and the greeting is from Hobby Art.
A Creole Spice Kaleidacolour ink pad has been used for the main panel and the main card has been stamped with bleach.
I would like to enter it in to the challenge over at Cupcake Craftroom - Anything Goes
Off to bed now
Kimx

Anything Goes at 52 (Christmas) card Throwdown,

Evening Everyone
I know, I know, I can hear you all scream but Christmas is over.
Well I am so determined that I will stay on top of my Christmas card making this year that I have decided to follow a couple of challenges devoted to Christmas all year round.
52(Christmas) card Throwdown is actually a new blog and their first challenge is Anything Goes. Nice and easy to start you off :)

I made this card with my Grandchildren in mind, but who knows who I will send it to by the time December comes around again lol.
I have been very good when making it and have used up some bits and pieces that I had in my Christmas drawer. Sorry guys it has escalated from a box!!

The little girl is Winter Tilda coloured with distress inks, and I even found a robin that I made using shrink plastic.
The background was a piece that I made during a class on Faux Mother of Pearl with some of the lovely Stampendous embossing powder used on the pine branches.

The flowers and Mistletoe are cut using various dies and I added some ready made flowers and stamen from my stash.
I think it has turned out quite well considering it has been made out of left overs.
Oh well 1 down only another 124 to go if this year is anything to go by. I think I had better use up a few more of those left over bits.
So why don't you head on over 52 (Christmas) Card Throwdown and enter a card.
Come on I'm sure you must have some bits and pieces that you could manage to turn in to your first Christmas card of 2012.
I'll try and post again tomorrow - not Christmas I promise.
hugs Kimx

G is for Green at the ABC challenge

Evening Everyone,
Hope that you have had a good day.
I have been a very busy bunny, DT work, ironing and a marathon catch up session on the current series of Merlin that we had recorded on the Sky box. I think the grown ups were probably more engrossed than the kids but that just goes to show that we are all big kids at heart lol.

This is another of the numerous 'Thinking of You' cards that I have had to make just lately, and it fits perfectly into the ABC Challenge where G is for Green.
The little boy fishing is by Clarity as are the leaves that have been white embossed in one of the background papers. The leaves have also been stamped on the main card with versamark.

The other papers are from my stash and have been run through the cuttlebug using a couple of different embossing folders. The greeting is from Woodware.
I have used distress inks to add colour, some glimmer mist, stitching with a fine black pen and some card candy.
Off to bed now, all this activity has made me tired and I have to go to work tomorrow. And I have just noticed how late it is!
Love and hugs
Kimx

Seems a Little Sketchy - Thinking of You

 
Hello Everyone, Happy New Year.
Did you see the firework display in London on the TV last night it was absolutely fantastic?
Well I made it through another New Years Eve. It has never been my favourite time of the year, made even worse 10 years ago by the death of my son Adam.
I lit a candle and took flowers. In fact the Grandchildren all came with me which was nice. Saskia wanted to know when he was going to pop up, which took a little explaining that he wouldn't, but at least it made me smile lol.

I have several friends who also find this time of year hard so there have been quite a few Thinking of You cards to be sent. This one is on its way to Spain.
The main image is by Clarity Asian Bamboo, and has been stamped onto a piece of handmade background paper from my stash.

I cut the image out using a nestie and mounted it over background papers layered to fit the sketch over at Seems a Little Sketchy.
The ribbon is from Woodware.
The greeting has also been cut out using a nestie, which has been left in place while distress ink is sponged over the image. This is what creates the thin white line around the edge once the nestie has been removed. 

I added some swirls to the background panels using my favourite Magnolia Swirl Flourish. I also added some stitching using a fine black pen.
Everyone has had a nice lazy morning, so the chaos and noise hasn't kicked in yet, it's only a matter of time, I can hear footsteps on the stairs.
Have a great day, and once again I hope that you all have a very Happy New Year.
Happy Crafting.
Kimx