Just to Say.......I Remember

 Evening,
I can't believe that it is 19 years since that awful day that the planes flew into the Twin Towers on 9/11. I can remember exactly where I was, and what I was doing as it all unfolded before us like something out of a Hollywood blockbuster. It all seemed very unreal.

So here is a card Just to Say that I remember, and am thinking of everyone affected by the awful events of that day.

The background was created by applying Decorators Chalks to dark card stock using a cotton wool ball. Once the panel had been covered with the chalks I stamped across it  using a Versamark ink pad which removed the chalk to leave the image behind.

 This card was made in the same way, only once I had stamped over it with Versamark ink,

I made sure that the ink was dry, and then stamped and embossed the floral images using black ink and clear embossing powder.
Versamark ink stays sticky for a very long time so it is always best to heat set it and use an antistatic bag or cloth before trying to stamp and emboss anything on top of it.
Thank you for stopping by, I hope that you have a good weekend.
Stay safe
Hugs Kimx 

Birthday Birds

Evening All,
Are you all well?
I'm hoping that now they have changed the rules on social gatherings that they will also start to enforce the rules, and maybe even do something about making face masks mandatory.
Some people seem to view them as some sort of fashion accessory, wearing them around their wrist, between their teeth or even as some sort of beard protector.
They also get really stroppy when they are politely reminded that they should be wearing one, which I must admit makes me far less inclined to remind anyone in the first place! I'm not sure that I feel like getting any more abuse hurled at me.
'No one cares' has been one phrase that I have heard on more than one occasion.......what is the matter with people? I don't like wearing a mask any more than anyone else, but if it is what is needed to make the difference to my family and friends staying safe and keeping their jobs and houses then I will do it willingly.
One thing I am hoping, is that now they have changed the rules on groups of people meeting up either inside or outside the house that it will enable us to get back to some sort of crafty classes even if they are on a much smaller basis.
Anyway rant over, on to a couple of cards from my stash to share with you tonight.

 They are made using one of Jane's Lino Cut stamp sets.

I think this stamped panel was made using the Alcohol Lift Ink pad.

The image has been 'pulled' from the alcohol inked background which is why the colours match so well.

This card uses just plain old stamping and embossing on kraft card.

Thanks for stopping by, and letting me rant.
Stay safe.
Hugs Kimx

Inspired by Hobby Art especially for Gill

Evening Everyone,
It's time for another card to support my lovely friend Gill over at the Christmas Cards and Papercraft Challenge on Facebook.

Today Gill posted a card using a stencil to create a large ink sponged aperture in to which she had stamped.

You can post anything you like but obviously it would be good if you could try out the technique that Gill used.

I rummage through my not inconsiderable stash of cards and found this one that I create in an 'Inspired by Hobby Art' class quite a while ago.

I crated an oval aperture with a stencil mask and then did plenty of sponging, stamping and embossing.

I'm afraid my instructions are nowhere near as good as those that Gill shared on Facebook lol.
Maybe you will find the time to try out this technique yourself.
Thanks Gill, it's nice to be reminded of some of the fun classes we shared.
Stay Safe.
Hugs Kimx

Sketchy Pine Branch

Evening,
I'm absolutely shattered. Why is it that you feel like you need a few days off to recover from a few days off lol.

I've been trying to get on, but all I seem to have achieved is my very best nodding dog impersonation.

So here is a very quick post to share another of the cards that I made for Jane's last Christmas stamp release.

I used a piece of 'Mop Up' background, I usually have several lurking around my desk :O)

I stamped the pine branches numerous times along the top edge in distress inks as well as stamping and embossing some of them in gold.
Very simple, but very effective.
VERY early night for me I think.
Stay safe and hugs
Kimx

ABC..............

Evening All,
Another couple of cards using the fabulous alphabet stencil, inks and some Sparkle Medium.

 I created the background using the stencil and some blue and green Distress Inks.

I put a LOTV image to the center of the card and added some glossy accents to the windscreen and headlights.

I didn't want to waste the piece of background that was hidden by the LOTV image so I removed a circular panel from the center that would be hidden by it. We used to refer to that as 'gutting' the card.

I then used it for this second card. I do like 'Twofers'.

I added some stamping to the kraft card along with some die cut floral images and a sentiment.

This card uses a background created using the same stencil and a piece of black glossy card stock.

I found this Tilda image in my stash so I added her to the card in front of some labels die cut from glitter card. I thought that they looked a little like wooden boards.

That's another couple of 'cute' cards to add to my stash.

The twins started back at Secondary School today. They were both a bit nervous, understandably, but they appear to have had a good day and were pleased to see their friends so that was a win.
Better think about packing up after my crafty couple of days as it's back to getting up at stupid o'clock tomorrow.........that's a point I had better check that I have reset all my alarms. That could have been a disaster lol.
Stay safe and hugs
Kimx

Stenciled Sparkle

Evening Everyone,
I've had a very enjoyable Sunday catching up with a few crafty things on my 'To Do' list. Can't share any of them yet I'm afraid, so instead I will share a card I made a while ago using a lovely stenciled background and die cut foliage.

The background is created using a stencil, black distress ink and some Imagination Sparkle Medium in reds and golds.

I made some background card using the red sparkle medium and then die cut some Tim Holtz foliage from it along with some cut from black card stock.

I matt and layered the panel on to co-ordinating card and added some black ribbon and a sentiment panel.

Another day of sample making ahead as I have an extra day off. Better make sure my alarms are turned off, I really don't want to get up at 3.30 unless I absolutely have to.

Stay safe and hugs

Kimx

Magical Wishes with Designer Boutique

 Evening All,

Did you catch the lovely Suz on the TV yesterday showcasing Designer Boutique Floral stamps and Cosmic Shimmer Watercolour Inks?

Unfortunately they changed the times, so having set up my Sky box to record while I was at my daughters, I missed them all!!!

Never mind I'm sure that she was brilliant. I will have to see if I can find them on Catch Up.

So in the mean time here is a card that I made using one of these fabulous floral stamp sets. 

This one is called Sweet Cherry and contains several stamps including this large floral spray,

and cute dragonfly.

The background to that card is made using an embossing folder and a couple of colours of Gilding Polish.

The sentiment that I added is actually from a Christmas set also in the Designer Boutique stamp range.

Why, oh why have they messed around with Blogger again??

I know I hate change, but if it ain't broke, why fix it? This has taken me twice as long as normal cause I can't find how to do things that were second nature before. Aaaaaaarg!!!

Have a great weekend.

Happy Crafting and hugs

Kimx

First Day Back at School

Evening Everyone,
Back home now after a lovely couple of days seeing Emma back to school. I can't believe she is now in Year One.

Of course there had to be the First day back at School picture.

Along with one of Mummy and Daddy walking her to school, just like last year.

We spent this afternoon at the local park, where they have a zip wire, amongst other pieces of playground equipment.

The kids love it, especially Chloe who wouldn't go on it at all a few weeks ago. 

We sat and had a snack while Emma was off playing with one of her friends.

We even had a little visitor...............on the other end of the bench thankfully.
Try being brave when you are terrified of spiders, but you are trying not to show it to 5 small children. I think Becki and I deserve medals after today lol.
Chloe will finally be starting playschool on Monday. Unfortunately Becki didn't find out until this week so I won't be able to take her on her first day like I did Emma, so I will have to take her for her first day after half term instead.
It is what they call a Forest School so they spend quite a bit of time on outdoor activities, which Chloe will love.
I get grown up play time this weekend, I have lots of crafty catching up to do, but I wouldn't have missed my few days with the Littlies........spiders and all.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs Kimx

Just for You Gill

Afternoon Everyone,
Wow a post from me in the afternoon, it must mean I can't get to my craft room since I am currently helping out with the Grandbabies.
Emma started back at school this morning. All washed, dressed, breakfasted and out of the house by 8.15, quite a feat after all this time in lockdown. Even when she was at school before the summer holidays start time was 11.45 so it didn't matter if everyone had a lie in (what's that ha ha) or was still in their pj's mid morning.
I suspect that it will be a very early night for everyone lol.

An old friend of mine has been participating for some time in the Christmas Cards and Papercraft Challenge over on Facebook.
We met at Ally Pally, and she came to my classes for many years until she moved wayyyyy down south.
She has just taken on the role of Moderator for the 'Way To Go Wednesday' challenge, so I thought that I would join in, just to surprise her.

I made my card a couple of years ago for the Woodware catalogue using a beautiful floral image designed by the lovely Jane Gill.

I kept it very simple, just stamping and embossing in black onto a piece of kraft card.

I added a zentangled border along with a few extra bits to the flower centers.

The sentiments are from another of Jane's very useful sentiment sets.
I'm afraid that the pictures are not particularly good. For some reason they look very washed out, but I hope that Gill will appreciate them.
Have a great day. We are just off to do school pick. It's been a long time since I could say that.
Stay safe and hugs
Kimx

Off Set Inked Pine Cones.

Evening,
I've been travelling on the train today to visit my youngest daughter and the littlest Grandbabies for a few days.
It takes a couple of hours, so it is always a good opportunity to catch up with a couple of Jennifer McGuire's Youtube videos. I have to say that she is my 'Go To' place for inspiration, I always manage to add another idea to my ever growing list of things to try.

This card was inspired by just one such video on Off Set Inking. 

It manages to give the image a fabulous 3D feel.

I tried a slightly different 'offset' for the second card,

and I'm really not sure which one I like the best.
Let's see what more ideas I can get from good old Jennifer,
Hugs Kimxx

New challenge at Crafty Cardmakers

Evening,
Just a quickie tonight to tell you that we are back after our summer break with a brand new challenge at CraftyCardmakers.
Mary is our host, and she is looking for 'Things with Wings'.

This is a card I made a while ago for my Great Nephew using a cute little winged dragon that I found in my stash.

I fussy cut him and added him to a panel of matching paper. It's amazing what you can find in your stash when you start looking lol.

I love this huge Birthday die, it makes a lovely statement on a card.

I hope that you will find the time to join us over the next fortnight.

Stay safe and hugs

Kimx