Last Challenge of 2009

Good afternoon all, I take this opportunity to wish you a great evening and a Happy and Prosperous New Year xx

This is my final card for 2009, it is a tri-way challenge for

Colour Create Challenge 35 - Lemon and Lime

La La Land Challenge 19 - How Charming

The Sugar Bowl Challenge 26 Lillians Sketch and something new

I started by locating some Lemon and Lime coloured papers and then located a Sugar Nellie Stamp.  I then got to work on the Sugar Bowl Challenge Sketch and located the new item, that would be the copic paper that I just ordered and received, thought I would try it, but will not be ordering again as it does not allow my normal blending as well.  I coloured the image with my copics and then added the charm.  Whilst laying out the sketch all pieces worked fabulously together, however I made a mistake when sticking in place and could not lift the first placed shape down to allow the final one to sit under the top lip, so a little out on the challenge.  I added a flower to allow the charm to hang and hoped that this would resolve the previous hiccup.

Here is the overall card

 

The floral embelishment

The insides of the card with my usual little black and white image

The closeup of the copic coloured image - if you follow me regularly you will be able to see that the shading has not blended as well on this paper.

Well that is me for 2009, see you all in the new year.

Thanks for looking

Kate x

Let's Get Shabby - Challenge Seven - Summer Influence

Hi everyone, hope you all had a lovely xmas and got lots of crafty bits in your stockings or under the tree - if larger items and if Santa thought you had been extra good. (Mine was under the tree :)) ).

Having a few days over xmas has given me time to play.  What with you may think, well actually nothing new on this piece of creativity, but I really enjoyed it all the same.  If you read the end of the post you will find out why.......

I decided, due to getting an honourable mention on the last challenge, on my first attempt, that I would try for gold on my second, however that may not be the case, as not everyone sees things the same way and I am usually a little bit eccentric, or so my work colleagues say.

Let's Get Shabby - The Challenge influence

My creation is based around the things that I love and that "summer" influence me on holiday, "Sun", "Sea" and "Sand".  I searched for hours for the correct photo's for this scrap page layout.  I finally found some - so far unused photos of my sister Jo.  She is in Tanzania and currently has no electricity, this can go on for days, weeks etc. So fingers crossed that they fix it for her quickly, and that when she does she will see this and feel instantly better.

I located some Blue Awning K & Co papers, chose the embossed one with the postcard on it, as you always send these on holiday to your friends.  I then thought that summer is flowers so chose a yellow sun coloured paper from the same pad with flowers on it in white.  Wanted to show rolling sea somehow, so used some horrid greeny / blue lace, it actually looks better now than it did on my hooks.  I added feathers for the crests of the waves (or seagull feathers - you can decide) I used Tim Holtz denim blue and a swirl stamp (not sure of name) to show swirls of water around the circle and then used my little shells for the sandy beach effect.   I added the flowers to complement and the lace through the middle as it had waves at the bottom of it, I had to cut it in half and turn it around under the image to sort of even it out.  I got these lovely flip flop charms from Boys and could not decide how to hold them in place, so got some craft wire in a lovely sea blue and twirled it around a ground peg, to get an even coil and then threaded the charm on to it.  Each image has a corresponding colour on it and then the last one was pink - so I used my copic holiday blue and coloured it up and then placed this just under the flower edge. The sentiments are created in word using an image with text set to appear in front of the image, I cut them out and further distressed.  I felt the rolling blue/green lace sea was missing something so added a Hobby House pin, with several beads that I got from that beloved place ebay.  I feel that this now has all my summer influence inspiration on it.  Hope you like it, again got carried away with my new camera.

 

 

Hope you can see them ok.

Well the reason I needed to get crafty was to take my mind off

the fact that the Insurance cover people on my washing machine turned up for the third time (4 weeks no washing) with still the wrong parts for my washing machine.  I finally accepted there money towards a new washer.  Went to a local store and purchased a lovely new one for an extra £35.00, bargain.  "So I thought".  Arrived home, plumbed in and placed the first load in.  You may as well have put the hosepipe in the kitchen and switched it on.  The kitchen was flooded I just needed my Summer Influence costume on..............and the husband could have photographed me for "Let's Get Shabby"

any way the washer had the most amazing crack from top to bottom in it's casing.  Paddling in the pond, I mean the kitchen - now that is a new one for me, used more towels to swill the water around the room and to late to call and complain, cleaned up and went in for the kill this morning.  I have to say they were very accomodating and did get a machine from outside the area to me within 4 hours, they plumbed it in and hoooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy.

First load just finished.

However, does anyone love ironing??????????????????????????

Hope you all have a great new year, look forward to an obviously intesting one myself as some lovely person bought me this

more to follow on that

Hugs Kate x

What a lovely xmas present - An Honourable Mention on "Lets Get Shabby" Challenge

Good evening everyone,

hoping you are driving carefully in this crisp, cold weather and wrapping up warm.

No photo's today just a catch up.

The ladies at work laugh at me every morning as I arrive, with my hat, scarf and gloves (which change daily) they think I own far too many.  Well my excuse is that if I had to clear my car I would be warm doing it and if I had to sleep in my car I would also be warm.  At my age the, what you look like bit, has already started to go out the window.

My colleague made me laugh this morning, she arrived in the car park and skidded to a halt, so parked her car where it stopped.  Luckily I was able to steer my car to a comfortable straight ish position.

Although I did have lots of work planned this week, unfortunately the weather is preventing that work arriving on my desk, so I feel quite relaxed.

The washer man arrived with the wrong parts (that he ordered) and then realised that something else had broken.  No washer for xmas (oh my gosh) won't get fixed now till the 29th December - ooooo well no washing or ironing.

And finally I am so excited and thankful to receive an Honourable Mention on the "Lets Get Shabby" Challenge 6, with my very first submission, xmas just doesn't get any better than that.

So with a smile on my face and happiness in my heart, I am going to make myself a cup of peach tea and sit myself down to relax. (Before I do the husband's head in)

take care all

Kate x

Magnolia Meets Copics Unusual Xmas Card

Good afternoon everyone.

I have completed my last Xmas card for this year.  I decided to use the Just Magnolia Challenge Sketch, to encourage me to do something different.  I also decided to try fit this with the Magnolia Down Under Challenge - Stamp with another use (Incorrect Stamp for the portayal of the image.  Also to enter the Lots To Do challenge - Free Theme, and finally The Stamp Something Challenge - Holiday Somethings.  I think that this is a record for me and how lovely to end the year with this.

Here it is (I am sure that if I had used floral papers it would make a lovely birthday card, the image is more of a summer one to me, good job the punch adds a little more winter)

Here it is anyway

Lovely vivid pink bottom layered with K & Co upper layers, cuttlebug used for the oval, justrite for the sentiment, ribbon, charm and flowers from stash.  Used Atyou clear glitter pen to add sparkle to the dress and shoes and saved the stars from the border punch to add to the side of the image.  Various copics used in pink, greens, skin tones and browns. Glittered up with stickles.

Close up of the flowers

and the justrite sentiment

and finally the copic coloured image

Well I am going to get my bags ready for work and place the works xmas presents in the sack ready to take to work tomorrow.

Thanks for looking and your lovely comments.

Kate x

Magnolia Meets copics Xmas Card

A fluffly white morning to you all

Last year I lost my xmas card list along with my address book.  So you probably understand why I have forgotton some xmas cards................... Luckily last year I got for xmas a new address book, which I am now filling quickly.

This is a card I made on Friday for my hairdresser - who bless her keeps the grey at bay and does a very good job of keeping me looking fab and without fail she again made me feel like a new woman yesterday.

Anyway here it is, not entering into any challenges with this one, as for ease I started to get stuck in a familiar rut with the layouts, it was just quicker.

This is again a stamp that Polly "Artfulwings" let me borrow, mine still have not arrived.  Not sure what the image is really, looks like a melting wax crayon to me, but if you have other ideas do let me know.

The papers are from another basic grey pad from the Hobby House along witht he flowers and brads, the charm from Boys.

A close up of the flowers I have used these several times, however normally need to colour them with my copics to match the background layers.

Next as always that lovely close up of the copic coloured image, don't you just love copics.

Well hope you all enjoy your day, I am back at work next week :(, so must make the most of today.  Wrapping the last present that arrived yesterday and making another forgotten card.

take care all and happy crafting (sorry xmas)

Kate x

Magnolia, meets Copics and Basic Grey Papers

Hello everyone,

What is the best way to feel christmassy. 

The snow of course and it has started snowing here.  Although it is a little blowy for my liking, it is so pretty to see it coming down and settling on the flower bed from my "Beach Hut" window.  Colouring away and you just see it getting dark and when you look up out the window there it is ................................... I had to run and recover the buffet (patio table) from the garden.  I did not want it to get covered and me to get soaked moving it in.  All done and wiped down and the pretty xmas cover and runner on ready. (ooooooooohhhhhhhhh get me)  Need to steam clean the glasses and cuttlery and polish up the lazy susanne.  All the presents bar one (waiting for delivery) are wrapped and unless I have missed anyone all my cards are now done.  I just love this time of year, don't you.

Well here are another two cards which I am entering into two challenges - the cards are both similar, using basic grey papers and magnolia stamps (thanks Polly letting me stamp the new xmas 2009 images, as my order seems to have been lost through the wires)

Colour Create Challenge  Pink Burgundy and Cream

and The Pink Elephant Challenge, winter and or xmas. 

I love receiving comments from others on my work and love seeing from my widgets (Sue you know how I love my widgets) where you all come from.  I hope that I don't bore you too much with my posts and if I do - well I hope you can take a small smidgen of inspiration and ideas from my creations.

I wish you all a very Merry Xmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.  

 

 

 

Ok, I am off to polish up those glassess and the cutlery..............

Take care all

Kate xx

What are your views????????????????????? Random Generators

Good evening everyone.

Picking up a post from PaperParadise (Sue)  who is asking for our views on the use of Random Generators.  

Do you create your piece because you want to meet the criteria of the challenge to the best of your ability and be judged against others doing the same.

Pop over to PaperParadise and leave your views.

I personally would love to be marked against my abilities than a random generator, how about you??

Good night all

Kate x

Christmas Cards and Copics

Hello again, oooooooooooooh 8 more days............

Well a few final cards, next year (don't laugh) I intend to make a xmas card a week, so that I am well over my quota. 

These cards are made using the basic grey papers from my new pad along with the lovely leather effect red paper I got from the Hobby House, along with the pearls.  Flowers from Hobby Craft and Trotters, ribbon from stash and I know don't laugh a little stick on for the sentiment (a speed thing). Glitter AtYou Pen clear used for that subtle glitter effect on the image.

A close up of the embelishments

and image

Another, brad from the Hobby House and a little liquid applique.

the embelishments

and the image

Well going to wrap my final presents, and the secret santa present for my works day out.  Going out this afternoon to catch up with a few close friends, can't wait.

Thanks for taking the time to view my posts and for your very kind comments.

Kate x

Christmas Cards and Copics

Hello there

Finally I can blog some cards I made a while ago, but the purchaser had not given them to the person who was receiving them, so I was unable to blog them.  It was a family of three so made three matching but different and individual cards and I also made a lovely card for another friend yesterday, but needed to wait to photograph as the light at this time of the year causes so much shadow on our images.

Anyway hope your all organised for the big day and getting excited....................... I know I am but I do enjoy the excitement of xmas and giving presents and cooking for the family.

Anyway enough of that................ here is a card that I am entering in the

Creative Card Crew Challenge - with the theme of "Anything Goes"

and the Just Magnolia Challenge - Anything Christmassy

and the Magnolia Down Under Challenge- Bedazzled.

Just love these "Basic Grey" papers and decided to change my normal layout to something different.  I joined to cards together, diagonally cut them down the front.  Layered up the card using a lovely leather effect paper as the base, used this lovely image from magnolia, coloured her with copic and added just a little liquid applique.  The lace covers both the edges of the diaganol back and front on both sides.  Added little pearls on either side and used liquid pearls for the centre of each of the pale snowflakes.  MSE for the sentiment stamped on cream card and edges distressed.  Ribbon carefully placed around the whole card. Burgundy and white roses to compliment with a little gold/clear button (hobbyhouse) and some pine branches to set it all off.  I added a small touch of red stickles to the edges of the petals on the burgundy roses.

Here are some close ups

The image using copics

The right floral embelishments

 

The left floral embelishments

 

The inside - the insert which lifts out without undoing the bow.

Now some images of the set of three cards I made for the family of three

I used my justrite stamps for these for the extra special sentiments.

These I am entering into the La-La Land Crafts Challenge 16  -  Pink and Green

For the parents

The close up of the image and the sentiment along with the floral embelishments.

The 2nd daughter's (first xmas)

 

The first daughter's

 

Well I think that was it, so now off to clear the ironing move the 10 seater dining table and give it a yearly clean down and wrap a few more presents................ oh and have a coffee.

Take care all and thank you for looking and all your kind comments

Kate x

Whiff of Joy, Glitter and Frost Xmas with Copics

Hello everyone

Do you remember when you bought the last piece of paper that you really thought you needed to buy and then could not bare to cut it. Well this blue twinkly, sparkly, glittery, frosty, xmasy paper is that piece. I think it is a K & Co, 12 x 12. It just says very special xmas without anything else on it. But I did have to put bits on it and I tried very hard not to cover too much of the good bits. I used the cuttle bug to create the frame ability and then glittered it up in some stickles blue, I cut out my snowflakes with the cuttle bug and added glitter to one, and polar white flowersoft to the other two. I coloured both of the brad pearls with the copics to change the colour to suit the card, and added the lovely ribbon and stamped sentiment.

Here it is, I am entering this card into the following challenges

Stamp Something - Winter Wonderland Something

Totally Gorjuss - Free and Easy

Whiff Of Joy - Sparkle, Sparkle, Sparkle



A few close ups the snowflakes




And the all important image showing the copic ability.


Well tonight is the night, going to prepare the tea and then settle down for the last but one "Strictly" and the final of "X Factor"

Take care all and thank you for looking and your very kind comments.

Kate x