Christmas Favourites

I was following Kathy's Waffle Sketch design for July, it is still July, just isn't it? When I decided I wanted the design to be more than a card.  I searched in the alterables box and found a Paperchase album to turn into a Christmas Favourites Recipe Book.

I've mixed papers from Pink Paislee and Websters along with Core-dinations cardstock, with lots of faux stitching.  My Magnolia snowman is coloured with Copics.

To give a subtle snow effect I've used plenty of Distress Rock Candy Stickles.

Because the lovely Websters papers are double sided, I've used the front piece upside down (I don't think it's too obvious).  This means that once you open the book up you can see the lovely Santas in hot air balloons.

The lettering is from MLS and the brad is a Dovecraft one (thanks Lisa Jane).

Challenges:
Kathy's Waffle - Sketch
TOMIC #8 - Stitching
I Copic #40 - Anything but a card
Kaboodles Doodles #77 - Stitching
Grungy Monday #17 - Rock Candy (See Sir Tim's blog here for product and technique information)

** Kate ** 

Sassy Tag

I've a Sassy tag today featuring Simply Sassy girl 'Love a Latte'.

She's coloured with Promarkers, for once, and I've kept things clean and simple with a border from 3 Bugs In A Rug and some JilliBean Soup bakers twine.

Challenges:
A Spoon Full Of Sugar #161 - Tag
Craft Us Crazy #13 - Anything goes

** Kate **

Flower Power

The July 'Flower Power' theme for the Penny Black at Allsorts challenge is coming to an end, so I just have time to sneak in an entry.

I needed a few notes to send to people - they aren't thank yous or birthdays, just little notes.  So this is what I made with a Penny Black Slapstick stamp, Prima papers and MLS stickers.  

Challenges:
Penny Black at Allsorts - Flower power
Sir Stampalot - Anything goes

** Kate ** 

Reflection Stamps

Could someone please explain how I managed to miss the release of Tim Holtz Reflections stamps?  He's been demoing new seasonal designs at this summer's CHA and that made me zip off to get the original set #111.

I've tried them with a Glitz dressmakers stamp and some Martha Stewart flowers.  I liked the result on both and as soon as I get a chance I will be trying out the embossing folder technique with them too.

Take a look at Sir Tim's blog here to see the latest additions to the range and for a link to Tim's video of the techniques I'm talking about.

I've used some BasicGrey paper and Wild Honey Distress Ink to pull the look together in one of the colour schemes that seems to be popular at the moment - black, yellow, grey.

Challenges:
Sunday Stamper #164 - Black
Simon Says Stamp And Show - Anything goes
Allsorts #113 - Free and Easy
Crafts And Me #44 - Add a flower

** Kate ** 

Simply Sassy Favourites

It's time for two new guest designers over at the Simply Sassy Blog and I'm applying!

Here's a look at some of my favourite Simply Sassy makes.  First off, 'I Give You My Heart'.

She's stamped several times and layered up to make her stand out.

Next I'm going for 'Amelia'.

She's one of my favourites from the latest designs and I've combined her with BoBunny supplies, one of my favourite paper companies.Now it gets a bit harder, only one more.  I do like the 'Hippie Chick' project with the bubbles on my blog header, but I think I'm going to have to include my latest Monster High make using 'Little Light Of Mine' with her blue hair. Don't you always feel like your latest make is your favourite? The card design is fairly simple, because, it really is all about the little monster character that's been created.

That's my chosen 3 then.  I like experimenting with all sorts of styles but these cards represent the one I return to the most; distressed, grungy and a little bit steampunk.

If anyone wants to view more of my Simply Sassy makes then the 'High School Student' picture on the sidebar will take you straight to my Simply Sassy posts (including this one!)  Alternatively, if you are interested in the GDT then the blog post is here.

** Kate **  

Sassy Monster High

One of the Dinky Diva's friends is crazy about Monster High, have to say I hadn't heard of it before this weekend.  Well a birthday card was called for and, after seeing the doll she was having as a present (blue hair, grey skin, Ghoulia I think?), this is what I came up with.

I've used the Little Light Of Mine Simply Sassy stamp; which, incidentally, you can win over as the Sassy blog at the moment.  She is coloured with Copics and matted onto a background of DCWV Immortal Love paper, well it just had to be the one for this project.  My new Smash Book tape was also to hand for the spotty border, told you by the time I get a book I will need new accessories. 

For her companion I have made a little blue bat using an Imaginisce stamp that I picked up in the sales recently.  Strictly speaking, if this is Ghoulia, it should be a blue owl I believe!  Having researched these a little with Mr Google I can feel a set of Sassy Monster High girls are on the cards, literally.

Challenges:
Allsorts #112 - Free and easy
Movng Along With The Times #107 - Favorite things (well it's the recipient's favourite things - hope that counts?  And of course I lurve my Simply Sassy stamps!)

** Kate ** 

CHA Summer 2011

There are so many fantastic products being launched at CHA this summer.  I've seen sneak peaks on lots of blogs and my wish list already includes:

Imaginisce - Bon Voyage Snag 'ems (clouds and a compass)
Lily Bee - Harvest Market (orange mixed with a beautiful shade of teal blue)
Jenni Bowlin - Holiday Papers (her 1st I believe)
Prima - Alla Prima and Romantique (all of it!! but especially the little tiles)
Glitz - Vintage Blue (another beautiful colour combo)
My Minds Eye - Lost and found Christmas (as well as 4 new lost and found collections!)

But there is always one person who just surpasses himself with every new season.  It is, of course, Sir Tim!
There are peaks to be seen on his blog, but I just have to have:

and I can see this one flying out of the stores.

Just get is all over here as quick as you can!!!

** Kate **

Pack Up Your Troubles

I've had this song in my head ever since the Daring Cardmakers announced this week's challenge would have a suitcase theme.  I quite like the song, the Dinky Diva did a really cute dance to it in a show last Christmas so in turn it makes me think of that too.  Perhaps the only way to get it out of my head was to make a card.

I've dragged out some very old papers for this and done lots of tearing to make a distressed, collaged, scene with Tilda about to go off on her travels.  The stamped images have been coloured with Copics.

Having got the tearing bug, I've made torn flowers and leaves to decorate the front along with some doodling and pale pink Papermania crystals.  Here's a pic of the inside.

Challenges:
Daring Cardmakers - Suitcase challenge sponsored by Crimson Cloud
A Spoon Full Of Sugar #160 - Pink and brown
The Official Magnolia Inspiration Challenge #6 - Make a dimensional scene
Totally Tilda #26 - Distressing
Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Summer flowers
Bunny Zoe's #14 - Fun in the sun

** Kate **

What's Cluttering Up Your Kitchen Worktop Wednesday

WCUYKWW for short.  It is of course WOYWW (What's on your workdesk Wednesday), but as I still don't have an operational workdesk you will have to make do with snippets of crafting from what ever space I can find.  In this case I'm working in the kitchen on some stamping.

I've snagged some Smash Book goodies but the actual books were all sold out, so in the bottom right there is a little blue book from Paperchase that I'm going to experiment on.  I'm quite glad I don't have the actual thing yet as I'm not sure whether to keep it themed or just put in anything that I see or that pops into my head.  The accessories in themselves are very useful for scrapbook pages, so I may well have to replenish then before I ever get a Smash Book.

The larger book, also from Paperchase, is to make a catalogue of my Magnolia stamps, as the collection grows I get the feeling that duplication is imminent.

As usual there will be many and varied workspaces over at Julia's blog just waiting for you to pop over and peruse them.

** Kate **

July Calendar Page

Made myself a calender page for July, just need to find a frame to hang it in so that I can change it each month.

I've used BoBunny Timepiece paper and chipboard.  Added to this are a few bits from Pink Paislee and a GCD Studios butterfly that I decorated ages ago but hadn't worked out what to do with.

The very bright flowers were in a bouquet that I got for my birthday around this time last year, which means it must be my birthday again fairly soon.  Sounds like a good excuse to shop for myself if you ask me!

** Kate **

Simon Says Autumn

Simon Says have been looking for some Autumn themed magnolia creations and despite my busy weekend I've found time to put the finishing touches to this card that I had been working on.

I've used the swan from the 2010 Wedding collection and made it a little scene using Distress Inks and stamped black foliage.  I've matted this onto some Kaisercraft text paper and then onto DCWV card.

The embellishments have an Autumn theme to finish it off.

I can't resist entering my card for a couple of challenges as well:
The Craft Garden - Birds (inspired by the July census of swans)
Allsorts #111 - Free and easy

** Kate **

Manic Weekend

We've a bit of a manic weekend here with a hand bell concert this morning followed by 2 days of dancing exams.  This has come on the back of one of the busiest weeks I have had to date, including 2 trips to the Dinky Diva's new school.  She starts secondary school (high school) in September.  It's over twice the distance to walk and I still have to get Small-N-Grubby up to primary school, so there has been lots of running around.  We had a medieval evening at Rainbows last night, followed by the Guides practicing to put up tents for their summer camp.  There is only one word to describe me now - EXHAUSTED!

** Kate **

Super Edwin!

I made a card for a 3 year old the other week and I should remember that I need to make 2 at the same time as another birthday is only a week later, but I never do.

I've used Super Edwin, who is just adorable, coloured with Copics and added a number 3 to his chest using a DCWV sticker.  The papers are all from Simply Homemade magazine, including the ones I used with the fabulous Fiskars squeeze punch to make the clouds.

To finish the card off, I've added a sentiment from a Brenda Pinnick clear sticker set.

Challenges:
Magnolia Down Under #103 - Sketch
A Spoon Full Of Sugar #159 - Sewing
Kaboodles Doodles #74 - Celebrations
ICopic #37 - Red, white and blue
Ladybug Crafts Ink #35 - Summer birthdays
Deep Ocean #3 - Cards
Simon Says - A stitch in time

** Kate ** 

WOYWW #109

It's Wednesday, the day to share your workspace with anyone who wants to have a nosey!  All this is organised by the most splendid Julia over here, although I doubt there is much she could do to stop it now; it has a life of its own!

On my desk today must be just about the worst job in the crafting world................

Sticking  e-z mount onto unmounted stamps.  Yeesh, it's sticky and  messy; and you always end up cutting a bit you're not supposed too!

As you can see my obsession with new stamps will never end, mwahahaha.

** Kate **

Creative Expressions Calling Card Challenge

Creative Expressions have a challenge on at the moment combined with a DT call.

The challenge is to make a project called 'Calling Card' which must also include an ATC.  For my project I've made a set of 3 ATCs with a co-ordinating folder to keep them in.

And here are the ATCs.

Instructions for making the ATCs and folder:

Cut a piece of white card to 11x5 inches and score it at 3 inches and 8 inches along the longer length.  Fold along the score lines. 

With a pencil, draw an arc from the top of one score line down to the outer corner of the card.  Cut along the pencil line.  Take the piece of card you have cut away and reverse it onto the opposite side of the card.  Use this as a template to draw an identical arc on the end flap and then cut it away too.
This leaves the base of the folder ready to decorate.

Ink the card on both sides with Distress Inks, with heavier inking on the edges.  Once the ink is dry, use a mister to spray water into your hand and flick it over the folder.  Once this dries, it will give a splattered bleach effect.

Hold sequin waste over different areas of the folder and ink through it with the same colour of Distress Ink using Cut 'N' Dry foam.

Use a grey ink to stamp your chosen images randomly onto the folder.

Attach eyelets to the edges of the flaps before sticking them closed using double-sided tape along the bottom edge only.  Tie beaded bakers twine between the eyelets. 

Ink 2 pieces of spare card in the same colour using the above method.  Stamp one in black with the letters needed for your chosen wording and the other in grey with a musical score stamp.  Cut out the individual letters and use to add words to the folder, reserve some letters to decorate the ATCs later.

Now prepare the ATCs.  Cut 3 pieces of card 2.5X3.5 inches and use the inking methods above in a variety of colours.

Rip pieces of the music stamped paper and add to the ATCs before stamping over with the main images in black.

Decorate the ATCs by adding the stamped letters and eyelets.  Stamp each of the 3 main images onto white card.  Paint one area with Distress Ink to highlight it, then cut out and attach over the top of the same image on the ATCs.

Let me know if you have any questions or if you make a project inspired by my folder so I can come over for a visit and have a look!  

** Kate **

Race For Life - update

We survived it, although it was very hot and several people were flaked out along the course!

We chose to set off with the joggers which was a bit of a mistake as apparently jogging means to stumble along for 100 yards and then walk as soon as you get to the first hill, grrrr.  I just couldn't get into a steady rhythm, there were too many people blocking the way.  Managed to run for about 1.5km then walked for a bit across an exposed hill, then ran again once we were back in the shade.  In the end I completed the 5km course in 43 minutes, which is porbably about as good as I expected for the conditions.

The Dinky Diva diasppeared ahead of me right from the start but had a couple of friends with her.  She decided to stay with them and walk when ever one of them needed to as we hadn't got anyone waiting to meet us at the finish and she was worried about standing around on her own.  Despite this she still managed 37.5 minutes!

I would definitely do it again and have spotted 2 more 5km runs in the area this Autumn.  However, any running will have to stop for the next few weeks as some how I have managed to detach my big toe nail during the race.  I knew that my running was bruising it but perhaps all the heat on Sunday finally did for it.  A bit of time to heal and then I might have to invest in professionally fitted running shoes.

** Kate ** 

Silent Sunday

Silent Sunday

Race For Life

Taking part in the Race For Life today, wish me and my team luck!

** Kate **

Moonlight Shadow

The new theme for the By The Cute And Girly challenge was announced yesterday - Thins With Wings.
Here's my second project, made to hang on my bedroom wall.

It's a big canvas 12 x 24 inches and whilst I was making it I had Moonlight Shadow playing along in my head, so that's now the name of the canvas.

I masked off the moon, butterflies and Tim Holtz swirl, then sprayed with Adirondak Color Wash in Stream.  I sprayed though a second swirl with Cinnamon Glimmer Mist. 

The die cut butterfly (from Kath, thank you) was sprayed with the same colours plus Lettuce Color Wash.

That just left me to add ripped music sheet clouds and Prima flowers.

Pop over to the By The Cute And Girly blog to see the prizes on offer this month and perhaps enter your own 'Things With Wings' project.

I'd like to enter my canvas at the Allsorts challenge #110, where they are having 'Free and Easy July.'

** Kate ** 

By The Cute And Girly - July

July already and we are being treated to lovely summer weather.  The garden is buzzing with beas, buterflies and all manner of insects so it's great that Hanna's chosen a theme of 'Things With Wings' this month at By The Cute And Girly.

Here's the 1st of my 2 projects this month using the Bizzy Bear digi from one of our prize sponsors this month - Digital Delights.

He is a great image for paper piecing, lots of different areas to cut out and not too fiddly.  I've used Pink Petticoat Vintage Rose papers for my card and decorated it with Crystal Stickles and Hero Arts Art Flowers.

Here is the full prize sponsor list for this month:

Simon Says

Joanna Sheen

Digital Delights

Pop over to the By The Cute And Girly challenge for all the details, to see the other DT makes and to share your 'Things With Wings' projects with us.

Other challenges for my teddy card:
Creative Inspirations #118 - Summer
Crafts And Me #41 - Birthdays
Scrapbook Sisters card challenge #42 - Summer fun
Craft Us Crazy #11 - Red, white and blue and/or summer
Moving Along With The Times #105 - Here comes summer.

Back tomorrow with my second project provided my computer is OK as I had a dodgy download from someone this morning.  Annoying for me and so upsetting for someone who is genuinely trying to operate a business online.

** Kate **