A Host of Poppy Cards

Evening All
Only one more day at work this week, thank goodness, and then hopefully I can remain warm for a couple of days as there is no sign of our doors being fixed any time soon!!
We had a fabulous class at Davina's last Saturday playing with two beautiful Hobby Art Poppy stamps.

I love this stamp in particular.
This card was made using a piece of handmade background paper, distress inks and a bit of Wink of Stella.

 It was great to use up some bits of handmade background paper.

I used some mica powder on the background card here and added some Faux Card Candi.

The inspiration for these cards came from the lovely Lisa B, and an idea that she shared at a Hobby Art workshop a couple of months ago.

This makes use of a piece of background created when playing with my Gelli Plate.

And this one as well.

It is a great way of using up those scraps of background that are

too small for a complete card,

but too good to throw away.

And even those pieces that you are really not sure about until they are cut up lol.
Here you are Ina, I've made a very small dent in blogging my stash of cards. Perhaps I will manage a few more tomorrow.
Hugs Kimx

I have my uses

Evening Everyone,
I guess it helps to have a Grandma with a large stash of cards when you need one for a friend at a moments notice.

My eldest Granddaughter Megan came to me the other day and asked me if I had a card!!!!
Do I have a card? Try several hundred to choose from lol.

So this is the one she picked. A little bit of spotlighting, some ink and crystal embossing powder.

I hear it went down a storm with all of her friends, so maybe I have my uses after all lol.
Hugs Kimx

It's cold outside...... and inside.

Evening All,
How are you? I have been so cold at work today (our doors are permanently open because after 3 weeks we are still waiting for parts to fix them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) that it seemed only right to share a few Christmas cards with you.
I have finally finished all of the samples that I have been working on for the next Woodware catalogue, so I am hoping that I might get back to blogging a little more regularly.

I have to admit that these cards were actually made a while ago, but as I really will have to start writing them all very soon, I thought that I ought to start sharing them with you.

They have all been made by masking a panel across the center of a piece of white card which has first been stamped and embossed with white or gold embossing powder.

Then dye based ink has been sponged into the gap.

The pale edges to the panel have been achieved by moving the mask and then gently adding a little ink with out re-inking the applicator.

I have also added some stamped and embossed sentiments in black as a finishing touch before layering the panels onto card stock.

This one was made using a different colour combo, but I think it needs some sentiments added. What do you think?
Better get a bit of commenting done, before I fall asleep again lol, I've been very bad visitor lately. I will try and do better, but knowing my luck..........
Have a good evening, and try and keep nice and warm.
Hugs Kimx

Decoupage at Woodware

Hi All
I love Pinterest.
I have been chained to my desk for over a week now working on samples for the next Woodware catalogue, and whenever I got a creative block, there is my favourite place to kick start my inspiration.
I did have to take a bit of a detour (HERE), in order to create something for the latest Woodware challenge, which this week is Christmas Decoupage.

Once again I did get a little carried away, and create several cards using the same design idea.

The central image on each card comes from a rather old stamp set Traditional Christmas designed by Francoise.

I stamped and embossed each image onto card stock and then masked it before stamping again this time using the tiny script stamp from another set The Christmas Rush.

I then stamped the central image on to different colours of card (a great way to use up scraps),

cut them out and layered them on to the card using silicon.

I added a few nailheads and some layers of gold and green card.

I had great fun with these, and they are actually quite a quick way to make a batch of small cards.

Better get back to the catalogue samples, only two more sets to go. Perhaps I need a little creative shot in the arm. Off for a little Pinterest booster lol.

Hugs Kimx 

Winter Birthdays at CCM&More

Evening All,
Well that was hard, the first day back at work after two weeks off. I need my bed.
Before I do give in I thought that I had better share my card for the latest challenge over at CraftyCardmakers and More, where Josephine is looking for your Winter Birthday creations.

 I went with cool blue tones for my card

 using a lovely Woodware stamp set,

 some white embossing powder,

and the 'Wet Watercolour technique' using Distress Inks.

Background papers from my stash, and a few tiny pearls.
Thank you for stopping by. Why not check out what the rest of the DT have come up with to inspire you.
Off to bed now,
hugs Kimx

White Embossing at Woodware

Morning Everyone,

It's my turn again to post on the Woodware blog, and this time it is White Embossing.

Now you know me, any excuse to play with a background technique, and this is a favourite of mine.

I used the Stampendous Summer Leaves Perfectly Clear set, or at least the fern from it, to stamp and emboss in white onto white card stock.

This white embossing acts as a resist, and then I stamped over the top with the Creole Spice Kaleidacolor pad. Make sure that you stamp over the top and in to the spaces. Then wash over the panel using a large brush and water, this will make the colour bleed and run. 

Once the panel is dry, (I used a heat gun on it cause I want it NOW!!) I stamped over the top again so that some of the images are crisp.

The leaves are from the Dutch Doobadoo Paper Art Ferns which I coloured with the same ink pad.

The greeting comes from the Stampendous Perfectly Clear Set Birthday Assortment.

Thanks for stopping by, it's back to the craft room for me. 

See you again soon.

Hugs Kimx

Happy Birthday Harry

Hi All
I am back from my fabulous holiday week staying with Janice and Andy at SirStampalot, and now I am frantically trying to get myself sorted.
I had a wonderful time while I was there, teaching, making the tea and playing in the shop. I even managed a little exercise by walking the last couple of miles to the unit. Well I had to do something to counteract sitting on my butt for a week lol.

I had to make a quick birthday card for my Granddaughter Emma's stepbrother while I was there.

It was made using bits and pieces that I rounded up in the shop. Penny Black Stickeroos are fabulous for a quick card as all the colouring has been done for you. I stuck the elephant onto a piece of white card and then fussy cut it out to give it a bit of stability.

There were also some birthday borders which proved very useful.
I have a very busy week ahead of me as I am once again privileged to be working on the samples for the new Woodware catalogue.
Another week sitting down however, so I really will need to get back to the gym asap.
Better get some sleep now so that I can start all over again tomorrow.
Night, night.
Hugs Kimx

Punched Christmas at Woodware

Morning All
It's my turn on the Woodware blog again today, and this week Dorothy is looking for Christmas cards made using Punches and Dies

I have been staying at SirStampalot this last week and so I had to make my card with things that I could find in Janice's workshop. I had enough of forward planning last week lol.

I gathered together several crafty items,

and decided to create my own embossing folder using the Holly Leaf Punch. 

This is a fantastic way to get additional use from your punches, I used  2 layers of punched shapes stuck down on some thick card.

I embossed the leaves through a machine with a rubber mat, the way that you would with a stencil.  

 I then inked and stamped over the top to highlight them.

The foliage and main sentiment comes from Jane’s Clear Magic stamp set Deck the Halls. The Happy Christmas  greeting in the background comes from Jane’s set Holly Tree. 

 I also punched the leaves from some green card stock and shaped them before adding them to the card. The berries are red brads, and off course there is a liberal brushing with gilding wax.

The card that I sent Dorothy was actually made from the left overs of my original project, made using all the same elements except the berries made using liquid pearls. . 

I decided that I liked the leftover card better. What do you think?
Back to playtime now, and I think I have a parcel of crafting goodies being delivered here today so that is definitely something to look forward to. Thank You Dorothy.
Have a wonderful crafty day.
Hugs Kimx

Thank You for CCM&More

Hi All
It's time for a new challenge over at CCM&More, and this time Julie is asking for you to create a Thank You card.

For my card I have used a couple of large Hero Arts stamps and a technique which I like to call 'Resist with a Twist.

First I stamped the Thank You background stamp onto white card using a black dye based ink. Make sure that this is completely dry before stamping and embossing the floral/leafy background over the top this time using versamark and clear embossing powder.
After this has been heated and cooled down sponge the entire thing with dye based ink and the clear embossed image pops through with the sentiments showing through that.
You could also use the page of an old book if you don't have a suitable script stamp.

The main sentiment is from a Woodware stamp set designed by the lovely Jane Gill.
I would just like to say Thank You for stopping by, and for leaving all of your lovely comments, I appreciate every one of them.
Nearly time to pack up for the day. I have had a great time playing in preparation for my class tomorrow evening.
Don't forget to check out the rest of the DT samples over at Crafty Cardmakers and More, there is plenty there to inspire you.
Hugs Kimx

Autumn Sale at SirStampalot

Evening All
I have just spent a very enjoyable day at SirStampalot with a lovely group of ladies who have been there playing all weekend.
They arrange their trip twice a year and enjoy crafty play, shopping, good company and plenty to eat.
One of the things that they were using in class today was the fabulous Wink of Stella, so I shared this card with them that I made for Hobby Art Jenny's last TV show.

The card uses her beautiful Poppy stamp which I have stamped and embossed onto red card stock.

I have then painted the image using Wink of Stella pens 000 Clear, 020 Red, 041 Light Green and 040 Green. Very hard to photograph, but lovely to look at.

They leave a beautiful shimmer even on coloured card stock.
They have just started an Autumn sale at SirStampalot (on line and in the shop) so why not check out the website to get some bargains.
No dinner for us. We had All You Can Eat Chinese for lunch and we are all thoroughly stuffed so I think it is time for a DVD catch up and an early night.
They have a week of very early starts with me here, their choice I hasten to say, but tiring non the less.
I finally got my play table today so it will be nice to come in tomorrow and get down to some serious crafting, I'm starting to get withdrawal symptoms.
Have a good evening.
Hugs Kimx