It's Official, a messy desk leads to a Creative Mind

Well Girls, and Boys of course,
It is official. A messy work desk can make you more creative, according to a study done by the University of Minnesota US. (Well it must be true, I read it in the newspaper!!)
Of course that must be where I've been going wrong these last couple of weeks, my desk has obviously been far too tidy lol.
Thank goodness something has worked because I have finally managed to finish Ciaran's card. I can't say that I am 100% happy with it, but I'm not sure why so I guess that it is best to stop fiddling with it.

 Once again I have used a pre-coloured Lili of the Valley die cut image.

I'm really into circular cards at the moment, can't you tell lol.
I used some background papers from my stash and my Grand Nesties and an Embossalicious folder.

I couldn't really find any suitable embellishments other than the grass so I decided that I would add some Glossy Accents to the bike frame and Grey Gelly Roll glaze pen to the bike tyres.
It is definitely too late to give them their cards tonight, so I guess I had better buy some cake tomorrow so that we can have a little bit of a belated celebration.
I'm not tiding up my desk either, it might stop my creativity, I wonder if I can stamp successfully on a very uneven surface :O)
Hugs Kimx

Here Come the Girls.... well one at least

Hi All
No waders needed this morning, although it was a little soggy out there.
It was the Twins birthday when I was away at Janice and Andy's last month and as I didn't manage to get their cards made before I left due to the fire I had grand plans of finishing them while the family were away on holiday. Well that was the plan any way!!
Unfortunately the best laid plans as they say......
I seem to be having great trouble getting back into creative mode, so the pieces for Saskia's card have been pushed around my desk and stared up at me for the last several weeks, until finally it all came together this afternoon.

The image is a pre-coloured Lili of the Valley die cut that I have cut out using a circular Grand Nestie.
The background paper is from a Kaisercraft paper pad that I bought at Sirstampalot.

Saskia is very much a 'Pink Girly' so I thought that this fit the bill very nicely.

The flowers and die cut leaves are all from my stash and the bow has been tied and shrivelled with my heat gun.

I added some glitter glue to her wings and Stardust pen to her hair.
Of course I still have to make a card for Ciaran, so this will have to stay hidden for a little while yet. At this rate they might be nearer their next birthday than this one lol.
I would like to enter this into the Here Come the Girls challenge at Lili's Little Fairies.
Now if I can just come up with Something for the Boys we will be laughing.
Back to the drawing board lol.
Hugs Kimx

More Christmas Clarity

Evening All
I hope that it hasn't been raining too hard where you are. It has been pouring here which probably means that the bottom of our road is flooded, it doesn't seem to take much.
I promised myself that I would do so many things when the family was on holiday, as well as sorting my 12 x 12 papers that is. Why is it that everything always takes so much longer than you expect.
I did finally manage to tidy up all of my stamps, and sort out most of my clear and unmounted stamps, but I still have to tackle all of my Clarity stamps, and that is going to be no mean feat.
I think I might enlist the Grandchildren to help me with that one, but at the moment any available space is taken up with suitcases and washing, both clean and dirty, so I think it might have to wait a little while.
So in the mean time here is another of the cards that I made which was shown on Barbara's last TV show.

I cut out the stamped and embossed Carol Singers using Oval Nesties.

The background on the blue card stock has been created using Versamark ink and Pearlex Powders.

The banner is part of a second stamp set which also contains blank banners for you to add your own greeting, very useful I think you will agree.
Let's hope I don't need my waders tomorrow. At least it seems to have stopped for the moment so here's hoping that it will just sink into the ground and disappear.
Off to bed now.
Hugs Kimx

Magic Painting for Grown Ups

Evening,
I can't believe that the weekend is at an end so quickly, and I don't seem to have managed to do anything.
I had hoped that I would have got back in to the groove now the family are home, but the weather has continued to defeat me.
So here is a card that I made after my last class at Davina's.

The class was Resist Part 1 or Ghosting as I have heard it referred to.

The Hobby Art sentiment was stamped onto glossy card stock using Versamark ink and then dye based ink from a Kaleidacolor ink pad was brayered over it.
The greeting 'pops' through just like grown up magic painting lol.
The beautiful floral stamp, also by Hobby Art was stamped and embossed onto the panel using black Versafine ink and clear embossing powder and then the image was painted with thin undiluted bleach to remove some of the colour.
The poor washing machine has been on overdrive all day, but at least the nice weather has meant that we have been able to get most things dry, although we are running out of places to hang them :O)
Lets hope they have managed to fix the lighting at work over the weekend, although I'm not holding out too much hope.
Hugs Kimx

Normal chaos has been resumed

Evening All
I hope that you are all having a wonderful weekend and that you caught up with Barbara in The Classroom this morning. Don't forget that she will be back again tomorrow on Create and Craft Sky channel 671 at 9am - 11am and then again at 2pm - 3pm.
The family have arrived back from their holiday and so normal chaos has definitely been resumed lol.
My youngest Grandsons first words as he walked through the door were 'Wow, doesn't the living room look tidy', it doesn't now.

 This is another of the cards that I made for Barbara last month.

 The main image has been stamped and embossed and then painted using the Vintage Pearlex palette.

The border has been hand drawn using a fine black pen, and Glossy Accents have been added to the berries.
I'm hoping that my mojo has returned along with the family as it has been seriously missing just lately. Here's hoping :O)
See you again tomorrow, Internet permitting of course, it has taken me about 3 hours to get this post done!!
Hugs Kimx

Remember Barbara is back on the Box

Evening,
Wow am I ever glad that it is Friday!!
Did you get thunder and a major downpour this morning? It was actually quite nice to go outside in it (I had to help bring in the delivery which of course arrived at the same time as the rain) until you have to stand at the till in a soggy shirt. Don't worry I didn't look like an entrant for a wet T shirt contest, well not quite anyway lol.

Just a quick reminder tonight that Barbara will be back on the box at the weekend.
This card was one of several that I made for her last month. Unfortunately things have conspired against me this month (work, a headache and the Post Office mainly!!!!) so I didn't manage to get anything done for her. I hope that she will forgive me.

 I stamped and embossed the solid image of the Carol Singers, and cut them out using my Nesties.

The papers are from my stash and the Snowflake punch is a Martha Stewart punch around the page design.
I have a bit of tidying up to do tomorrow as the family are due back from their holiday and they will need to be able to get into the living room so I guess that I had better get to bed.
hugs Kimx

Trying to cool down

Hi All
I think my card tonight is my poor attempt at cooling myself down by thinking of wintry things.
Let me tell you now that it is not working lol.

This card was made for the latest Woodware catalogue, which I'm hoping will drop through my letter box any day now.

I stamped and embossed the Wreath using Versamark ink and White embossing powder, and then coloured the image using Distress inks and the 'Wet Watercolour' technique
I used circular nesties to cut and mount the image and layered it onto paper from my stash. I also added some Glossy Accents to the berries, and Card Candi to the corners.
I'm really pleased with how this turned out, and I can't wait to see it in print.
Hugs Kimx

Still Suffering

Hi All
I'm afraid that I have nothing creative to share with you again.
I have still got my headache, although I think that I have worked out why.
We are having a refit at work and they have installed new lights in the ceiling. They are designed to highlight the graphics on the walls, but when you look up at customers from my till it is like staring in to bright lights on an airport runway.
I made the contractor come on till this morning so that he could see just how bad it was. He says that they are going to move them tonight so I will see what happens tomorrow.
As an added strain we are also training staff for the imminent reopening of another site and so I always seem to be walking into chaos first thing in the morning, it's no wonder I'm not feeling up to much.
Let's hope tomorrow is better, I'm bored with this!!
hugs Kimx

A card from Sylvie

Evening Everyone,
Just a really quick post tonight as I have the most awful headache, and am finding it difficult to concentrate, let alone spell.
My good friend Sylvie has once again come up with a card for the Woodware Sketch challenge.

She has used one of my favourite stamps designed by Jane Gill.
Let's hope a good nights sleep clears my head, I don't fancy 8 hours on till tomorrow other wise.
Hugs Kimx

1, 2, 3 challenge at Crafty Cardmakers

Hi
Today sees the start of a new challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers where our Host Elaine has chosen the theme of '1,2,3'.- 1 image, 2 patterned papers and 3 embellishments. 
Please ensure your project has the required elements in the required quantities and that you tell us what your three embellishments are.
We are sponsored by THE PAPER SHELTER with a $20 gift certificate, and WOODWARE CRAFT COLLECTION, with a prize of £12.00 to spend at your favourite Woodware Stockist, either in store or on line.

 For my card I have chosen to use Huge Happy Birthday from our sponsors Woodware as my image. 

My two patterned papers are from our other sponsor The Paper Shelter and are from one of their 8 x 8 digi paper pads. My three embellishments are a black brad,

some dotty ribbon and a button, all available from Woodware. 
Don't forget to stop by and share the love with the rest of the team, and why not give it a go yourself.
Hugs Kimx

Can you Resist some Butterflies

Evening,
And there went another weekend!!!! I can't believe how quickly it comes round to a Monday again. At least I have nearly finished another of those peskie things on my 'To Do' list, although at the moment the living room more closely resembles a tip than a haven of relaxation lol.
I also managed to finish a card using the test piece from class on Saturday.
I always show the ladies step by step how to create the given technique, in this case Resist or Ghosting, and as I don't need a second tag I try and finish it off as a card.

I used a lovely floral set from Stampendous, and Distress Inks.

 I used the same image on the purple card stock, stamped in Versamark.

 The resist panel has been attached to blue card stock and then dry embossed using a folder and Cuttlebug.

I added some metallic Rub-on to the butterflies to highlight them, although I'm not sure that they show up terribly well in the photo.
Finishing touches are some ribbon and pearls.
Must stop now or I will never get up in the morning.
Hugs Kimx

Ghosting or Resist

Hi All
I hope that you are having a great weekend. I must admit that I am thoroughly enjoying the rain that is currently falling. I know you will all hate me for it, but it is late and you can't do anything much outside in the dark so I am making the most of the fact that it is slightly cooler.
As predicted we had a fabulous class today at Davina's, with a couple of new faces as well which was wonderful.
It was extremely hot so we had several fans going and a cloth rigged up over the conservatory doors to try and cut down on some of the direct sunshine.
This is the tag that I made to add to my Technique book.
I give them printed instructions on the technique we are covering to add to the back of the tag, but for you guys there is always a great tutorial over at Splitcoast Stampers.

I have more DT stuff to work on tomorrow so maybe now it is a little cooler I will get a better nights sleep.
Hugs Kimx

Can you Resist?

Evening Everyone,
I'm off to play, sorry teach, lol, at Davina's tomorrow afternoon. We always have such good fun that it feels more like playtime than work.
I will be showing them how to do single layer resist after one of the ladies asked what she could do with the glossy card stock that she had.

This is one of the cards that I made using the technique.
I have decided that we will split 'Resist' into separate classes (single layer, and multiple resist) so that they don't get too confused.
Besides there are so many lovely stamps to use that I'm sure that there will be more playing than card making.

I have used a couple of stamp sets available from Woodware to create the main panel, and the greeting is from Hobby Art.
I still have to make the tag for their book, but it has been so nice to finally get some crafting done, it seems like forever since I did anything except sort papers.
I think I will get some sleep now and start fresh in the morning.
Night, night
Hugs Kimx

Any One for Cake

Evening Everyone
I have had a lovely afternoon and evening with my Mum and youngest daughter Becki.
Neither Mum nor I drive so Becki offered to take Mum to do her shopping and then we popped in to the Pub where Becki works for a lovely carvery meal. I now feel suitably stuffed and ready for my bed.

This card was made using one of my Lili of the Valley die cuts and a sentiment also from Lili of the Valley. 

The background papers are from my stash and I added a matching flower and some foliage.
We didn't manage a slab of cake after our meal, but a nice bowl of ice cream went down a treat.
Hugs Kimx

Woodware Grass Stems

Evening Everyone,
I hope that you are managing OK in this heat. It was quite exciting to look out of the window and see rain this morning, but it lasted all of 30 seconds and didn't seem to do anything to cool the place down. Still we mustn't complain, I just wish it wasn't quite so hot.
I have finally managed to clear my desk and unpack my suitcase, but I still haven't managed to lift anything remotely resembling an ink pad or stamp, except to tidy up that is so I will share another of the cards that I made recently for the Woodware catalogue.

The stamp set that I have used has been designed by the lovely Jane Gill and compliments several of the sets that have been released in previous catalogues. It is called JGCL576 Grass Stems.

The background on the stamped panel has been made using the Stylus Tool and Large Black Moldable Tips.
I do love this set. I can't wait to see the catalogue when it comes out, everything always looks so different in print.
Night night
Hugs Kimx

What's on my table.............

Evening Everyone,
Well that is finally one job crossed off my 'To Do' list. Do not let me buy any more 12 x 12 background paper or card!!!
Seriously, I could start my own shop.
I don't know about 'Whats on My Workdesk Wednesday', what's on my table, sofas, chairs, kitchen side.......Who knew that you could accumulate so much stuff in the course of a Crafting lifetime.

As you can see it is now safely boxed up and ready to use, so at least it should be a little easier to find pink papers to make my Granddaughter's birthday card, although my next job is to tidy up my desk so that I might finally be able to get some play time in.
hugs Kimx

Congratulations, It's a Boy

Evening Everyone,
Another fantastically hot one, I hope that you have been able to keep in the shade.
My friend took me to visit my Mum and even driving in her little car with the top down it was still incredibly hot.
I'm certainly very glad that I wasn't the Duchess of Cambridge, although I'm sure that her room was nicely air conditioned lol.
So here is a card that I made before my trip to Peterboro (I'm still paper sorting!!!!) which by happy accident was made to Welcome the birth of a new Baby Boy.

 I have used one of my favourite Lili of the Valley die cuts and background papers from my stash.

I also added some lace, pearls and tiny heart shaped buttons.
I'm hoping that I should get my paper sorting finished tomorrow as I have gained some unexpected help.
My daughter needed a change of scenery from cleaning fire damage so she has come to stay for a couple of days and bless her heart she has offered to sort the papers for me while I am at work.
Well it would be rude to refuse the help don't you think :O)
Night night, and many congratulations to William and Kate.
hugs Kimx

Another Woodware catalogue card

Hi All
I hope that you have had a great weekend.
I'm feeling very pleased with myself. Not that I have done any crafting alas, but I am at least half way through a job that I have had on my 'To Do' list for forever.
I've been colour sorting my papers and card stock, sad I know!!
It is actually quite scary to see just how much I do possess, but at least I might be less inclined to buy more when it will be easier to find exactly the colour that I am looking for.
Because I haven't done anything on the crafty front I thought that I would share another of the cards that I made recently for the new Woodware catalogue, suitably the one I have chosen makes use of several background papers.

I have stamped and Gold embossed JGS308 Heart Garden onto watercolour card and painted it using Sparkling Pastelles Pearlex Watercolour palette.

I'm afraid that the pictures don't show off the beautiful sparkle to its full potential.

The sentiment is from another of the stamp sets that I was lucky enough to play with JGCL575 Delightful Verse.
The background papers are by Magenta and I added some ribbon and mosaic tiles.
Boy, look at the time, I had better get my stuff ready for work now.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs Kimx

The End of the Road

Evening Everyone
Well that is the end of my little jaunt to SirStampalot, and so much for my suitcase being lighter coming home than it was going up there!!
I arrived with a suitcase full of cards for Nick to photograph at a later date, and the intention of an empty suitcase on the return journey.
What can I say, they had a 40% discount on Wood Mounted stamps, and I'm a sucker for a bargain, so that plan went out the window pretty fast lol.
At least it was a little cooler today which meant that the journey home was quite pleasant, I still didn't need my cardigan even at 8.30 in the evening.

 This is a card that I popped in the post just before I left home.

I have used a Rollagraph on the background and a punched strip using a Martha Stewart punch.
Must get to bed now as I have rather a lot of tidying up to do tomorrow.
Hugs Kimx

Teacher Gifts

Evening Everyone,
I can't believe that my few days at SirStampalot are nearly at an end.
I have been working upstairs in their unit for much of my visit, and I have to say that it is like a sauna bath. How they cope on a daily basis I do not know.
I hope that I have managed to help them get a few things done, but for the moment I am going to keep it all  under wraps, so you will have to put up with something that I made before I left home.

One of the last projects that I managed to finish before the fire, and a trip to Peterboro intervened, were these Corner Bookmarks for the Grandkids to give to their teachers and classroom assistants.

They were all made following a tutorial over at Splitcoast Stampers and use up background papers from my stash as well as some of the very small Lili of the Valley die cuts that I seem to have so many of.

I matched my papers and ribbon to the images and then used my Nesties to matte and layer them.

With Saskia, Ciaran and Reece all in separate classes this year, and each of them having a classroom assistant or helper I hope that 8 will be enough.
More to the point I hope they remembered to give them out since I wasn't there to remind them.
I expect that I will probably find them in a little pile on the dining table when I get home tomorrow, but I am quite prepared to be proved wrong lol.
Another early start tomorrow so I had better get some sleep. I am always their alarm call when I come to stay, so they probably can't wait to get rid of me and get back to a bit of a lie in!!!
Hugs to All
Kimx

A Woodware Catalogue preview

Hi All,
Another scorching hot day here in Peterboro.
We are trying to persuade Janice and Andy (SirStampalot) to turn the Gents toilet into a wet room so that we can have a nice cooling shower. That will put an end to the sunshine and bring out the frost lol.
I have a little preview for you this evening of one of the fabulous new stamps from Woodware.

Once again I have been lucky enough to have been involved in making some of the samples for the new catalogue.
I feel very honoured.

This stamp is called The Vine JGS310 and although it is classed as a Clear Magic Single it is formed of 3 separate stamps.

I used some of my stash of papers also available from Woodware (I think this one may be a Magenta 12 x 12 paper) and did some paper piecing with the leaves.
I also added Card Candi, ribbon and gems and used the Inverted Corner Rounder and one of the Crafty Edger border punches.
This was one of my favourite card samples from this collection, and I can't wait to see the finished catalogue.
I still like a paper copy to flick though when I am making my wish list, which is getting longer by the minute.
Why not check out the website to see the latest images y6ourself and also to find out where your nearest stockist is.
I also thought that perhaps this would be considered suitable for the latest challenge at Woodware where they are looking for The Great Outdoors. Do vines count for this Dorothy?
Hugs Kimx