Just a note...

Morning all...


(just to let you know this is an automated post - I rarely get time during the week to actually sit down and blog until the deepest darkest hours of the evening so I thought, it's Sunday, I have a few spare moments I'll schedule some now so my readers have something to read at a sensible hour!)


So how is everyone?


Yes - it is true, I have started my Christmas cards, there I've said it! To be honest it does feel really good. I am a very long way off finishing but at least I can say I've started.  Has anyone else?


Today I wanted to show you a card I made for "my number 1" I don't know if I ever told you her name - its Chloe!  Being busy recently I completely forgot it was her other halves birthday so I had to make something quick, get, wrap and post a present in one day.  As usual though I couldn't leave her out! So whilst I was traipsing looking for the perfect man gift (why are men just so difficult?) I picked up a few bits for her too! Of course I couldn't send her a gift without a card - and so todays post was born!!

Pretty, hey?  I made the card using the gorgeously smooth kraft card from Papertrey Ink and simply stitched onto it some lovely big flowery Pink Petticoat paper from the Wild Blossom Collection - I just can't get enough of Liz's papers at the moment.  To finish it off I added another strip of kraft card to which I stamped my sentiment (another from Papertrey Ink) and made this beautiful felt flower using felt from Paper and String and finished it off with a pale green button (from god knows where!) and some button twine - from the ever faithful Ribbon Girl. I hope she likes it!


Thats all from me today, please feel free to leave me some comments - I will be back (automated) tomorrow.


Take Care


Kate
xx

Sweet Thing...

Afternoon Everyone.


How is everyones Bank Holiday weekend going?  Sorry for the lack of posting yesterday, I got carried away making things and by the time I realised what the time was it was time for me to get ready and go out.  Feeling slightly delicate today, one to many last night me thinks!


Anyway, I wanted to share with you two cards today, just to make it up to you.  Theres a theme running in todays cards. Can you guess what it is?

So for my first card, I used a newish set from Papertrey Ink.  Just looking at this card makes me want to eat lots of ice cream! Shame its not really the weather for it.  I stamped the cone onto a tall white card, which I had layered with a gorgeous butter yellow border.  I was trying to think how I could add the ice cream with out stamping it, just to add a bit of a 3D effect.  Then I remember my lovely stack of felt samples I'd bought from Paper and String - perfect.  I cut two scoops using the co ordinating die and layered them onto the card.  What would an ice cream be without a cherry on top?  I stamped the sentiment using two different colour inks to highlight the "sweetness" and finished it all off with some 3mm satin ribbon.  What do you think? Good enough to eat right?


I couldn't stop there.  It got me thinking about yummy cherries, so I then made this card.

 I love cherries lots!  I made this card using a A6 base and used a cherry red border.  Im so in love with my new sewing machine, it would be a crime not to stitch everything! I stamped the storks using a lime green and then die cut the cherries from some felt spot red card that I bought from The Glitter Pot yonks ago. I sort of got the bug yesterday to add a bit of dimension to my card so instead of just stamping the leaves I decided to use up some scrap ribbon.  I love the dots!  To finish it off I stamped the sentiment and used some 3mm adhesive gems over the dots of the i's!

Thats it from me today! I have the whole day to myself tomorrow so i'm looking forward to sitting down and getting lots done inbetween "Save the Dates".

Just one more thing I wanted to show you before I leave.  My new stickers arrived yesterday!! So now I can stick them to each card I make so that people know that I made them!! Exciting hey? Well it is for me!

Hope you enjoy the rest of your long weekend.


Take Care


Kate
xx

Fancy Dress...

Evening...


What a busy day! I am completely and utterly in love with my new sewing machine.  It's so quick and so much quieter than my other one.  Also it works which is a big difference from my singer.  So i've been busy today, making a few cards.  I started making a birthday card for my friend and whilst rummaging through all my bits and bobs I found lots of things in the wrong places, stamps that needed cleaning and just general rubbish, so what was supposed a pure card making day turned into a bit of a tidy up as well.


Ok so my card for today, is a bit of a theme card.  It seems as my group of friends have gotten older, when we celebrate any occasion we always do it with fancy dress.  It always turns into such a giggle, everyone makes an effort and always look great.  I wanted to make a card to represent the theme of this Saturday's shinanagans, so heres what I made.  

I have been planning this card for a little while now, just sketching it out.  I like to sketch things down as soon as I get an idea, otherwise I forget them and they never seem to be as good the second time round.  I used crimson pinstripe digital download from Pink Petticoat, and it wouldn't have been one of my cards without kraft card.  I have fallen in love all over again, I ordered some kraft card from Papertrey ink which arrived in my recent parcel.  Its such a good quality cardstock, thick and smooth and makes stamping on it really easy.  I completely obsessed with this Crealies cutting die.  Its great for creating layered flowers which  can be used for all different types of cards.  I made this flower using off cut off of the pinstripe paper and some felt from my paper and string order, finished off with a stripy button and some button twine.  The sentiment I used on this card is from the Hero Arts set Essential Messages.


So can anyone guess what were dressing up as on Saturday? 


Have a good evening.


I will be back with some else new!


Kate
xx

My Wish List...

Afternoon Everyone,


How is everybody's Sunday so far?


I feel a little bit lost today.  I had decided that today was completely free for being creative. I was looking forward to sitting down and making lots of things for the new website as the launch won't  be long away.  But I sat down and nothing came to mind.  Nothing.  I think it might have something to do with the fact my sewing machine is completely broken, no amount of fiddling by me is going to fix the little blighter.  Although I know I can create without stitching I don't seem to have the energy! Hopefully after a few cups of tea and a slice of cake I shall be back on track.  


I was thinking what I could blog about today, and as I have nothing to show you at the moment I thought I would share my wish list with you.  My wish list is a list (obviously) of things I really want, but haven't got round to getting yet.  


So first item on my list is this...

A brand new, sparkly sewing machine (that actually works) I was struggling to decide which one to get, but after talking to Vicki about which one she uses I have set my eye on this model from Janome.  I hopefully should be getting it later this week! YAY! I don't think i've been this excited for a while - well not since my Papertrey Ink parcel arrived.

Second on my list is...

I currently have the original Spellbinders Wizard, but I have had my eye on this new improved "Grand Calibur" for a while.  It not only cuts the normal size dies but also bigger ones which are perfect for scrapbooking and making your own card bases.  I'm just waiting for it to drop slightly in price before I get my grubby little hands on it!

They are they biggest and most expensive things on my wish list although there are always little things on there too like these stamp sets from Hero Arts, Oceans of Joy and Say Hello .

As you know I am completely obsessed with any releases from Pink Petticoat.  I have been waiting with baited breath for the very talented Liz to release something new and she just has. I have to say it has definitely been worth the wait.  Look at these gorgeous papers - Cherries and Brocade they come in 52 colours and for only £1.99 for each set,  I am going to have to download these asap.

I am always trawling through The Ribbon Girls website looking for new pretty ribbon.  As I believe you can NEVER have too much ribbon.  I love this Gingham stretch ribbon at the moment, I going to put in an order this week - I can't put it off any longer!

I just love storage, I mentioned in an earlier post that i'd stumbled across a gorgeous website called Paper and String.  Sarah has an amazing website and I have fallen completely head over heels with these storage buckets.  They are all handmade using bright fabrics and felt and just look amazing.  When I finally get some more craft space I will definitely be ordering some of these.

As well as looking for things to buy I also like looking in ore at other peoples craft rooms and storage ideas. I came across a blog www.craftystorage.blogspot.com that I could just look at all day and be completely jealous of some peoples crafting areas.

I have several sets of Spellbinders Nestabilities and I am always trying to think of a better way to store them and then I came across this - WOW!

What a brilliant idea.  Not sure my dad would be happy with me sticking a massive magnet to the wall but I think it is such a great idea.  I'll have to save this for when I get my own craft room!!!

Ok so I'm sure I have bored you all enough for now, I am going to try and create something to show you all later.  So check back this evening to see what I accomplished.  Hope you all have a nice afternoon and if you're lucky enough to have sunshine - enjoy!

Kate 

xx

Man Card..eek!

Happy Wednesday!

Hope everyone is well.  It is so lovely and sunny outside it’s enough to put anyone in a good mood.

I wanted to share with you something I hate making- man cards! What is it about the idea of steering away from pretty, flowery, girly cards that scares so many people? I know it petrifies me.  There are so many great colours and products out there to create the perfect “man card” it should be appealing.  I have struggled with so many Fathers Day cards, boyfriends’ birthday ideas I feel like giving up and just buying a stash of cards with pints of beer and sports cars on! But after receiving an order from Papertrey Ink last month I decided to give it one more chance.

Whenever I go on there website, I just want everything.   Unfortunately I have to refrain and control myself.  One set I did allow myself to purchase was Up, Up and Away.  I think this set is just so versatile, great for my man card attempt.  So the card I had to make was for my Boyfriends, Dad (yes it just gets more and more complicated, I want to impress) I didn’t want to make it too fussy, but on the other hand I didn’t want it to be too plain.  So this is what I came up with (no pun intended!!)

I decided on a plain card base, and then I used Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Square on kraft card- can’t create a card without it, and a Classic Square on white card.  Now for the balloon its self I didn’t really want to use just one colour, so I experiemented!  I carefully applied Versafine Ink in royal blue and baby blue to the balloon its self and brown ink for the basket, they managed to blend quite well!  For the sentiment, I seem to have a habit of always using them in the same place – under the image. So seeing as I was trying new things I decided to try it with this too and stamped it on the side of the image- I think it looks rather good even if I do say so myself.  Of course no card of mine would be complete without ribbon of somekind – I used some from my new stash from The Ribbon Girl – I thought this type of bakers twine would be appropriate, can you see why?

One more thing for today, I said I would show you when it arrived!! My first and most definitely not last order from Paper and String!

I can’t wait to start making things, I have so many great ideas for that felt!

Hope you all have a great day and enjoy the sunshine!!

Kate

Xx

P.S. Don’t forget to comment on yesterdays entry for a chance to win some of the jewellery featured!!

My new stash!

Hello

Hope everyone is well!! It’s FRIDAY my favourite day of the week!

I don’t have anything to show you that I’ve made today its more what I’m going to make.

In my post yesterday I expressed my love for shopping so I thought id share with you some of my recent purchases and internet finds.

I do like spending my spare time looking for inspiration, trawling websites and stumbling across weird and wonderful supplies.

I’m a complete sucker for paper.  I have so many piles of 12x12 paper sheets its silly but I can’t help buying more. I normally get most of my stash from one of my favourite crafting websites The Glitter Pot.  They seem to have everything you could ever want and there delivery time is very often next day which is perfect for those last minute orders. I don’t really have any plans for these as yet but I just couldn’t resist all the bright colours!!

As well as paper I seem to have an obsession with ribbon! I like to use it wherever possible; it can make any dull card look a million times better! I recently made an order with The Ribbon Girl- they are always getting new supplies to tempt me with.  Here are just a couple of pictures of some new ribbons I’ve recently bought- you can never have too many colours!!! When I started making cards I did wonder how I would store my ribbons- I would get fed up with sitting there for hours un tangling miles of the stuff.  In the end I have found that old fashioned dolly pegs and sewing pins to keep everything in place. It works wonders!

Now I know it is only July- nearly August but I already have my Christmas brain whirring away!  I have made a pact with myself this year that I am going hand make a lot of the presents I normally buy! Not just because I’m hoping to save some money but I always think that a handmade gift is that much more personal. So in the upcoming months I will be experimenting and showing you the results. Good or bad!

One of the ideas I’ve had is sweetie jars! Versatile and something a lot of people would love!  I was mooching around John Lewis on a recent lunch our and came across these.  The brain cogs went into over load with endless possibilities! Filling them with lots of yummy sweeties and decorating them with a handmade tag and ribbon! And with them being so cheap (£2.00 for the smaller one and £3.50 for the larger) I can see myself purchasing more of these to use for storage!

And last but no means least- look what I found!! During one of my afternoon browsing sessions of Folksy I came across a shop called Kitties Closet. WOW! I felt like a kid in a toy shop!! I couldn’t resist making an order!

After 6 months of making at least 10 new home cards- I thought id have a play around with this! I thought I would paint it and attach ribbon and give it a bit of Flutterby love and hopefully create the perfect new home gift! As soon as I have done this I will post you a picture.

I also found these-which I can’t wait to have a play with! A felt flower with a button will surely brighten up these ordinary hair clips! I’m sure I can find some one to give these too!

Just about to place an order with Paper and String so I will share when it arrives!

Well that’s it for today!

I can’t wait to go home and start making something with all these lovely goodies!

Check back tomorrow for something handmade!

Have a good day!

Kate xx