A Pure Christmas Scene

Hello everyone out there in the land of blog

I hope that you are all home safely and my thoughts are with you if you are not yet

This is the scene outside my Beach Hut window, so pretty isn't it.  However, I suppose I am writing a post to take my mind of Matt who is currently stuck not moving trying to get into Grimsby off the motorway

As I speak I may loose electric as the power is coming on and off so I better be quick

but here is a glimpse of New Waltham in Grimsby

So look after yourselves and stay safe

Hugs Kate xx

edited - Matt is home safe, thank you all for your kind comments

The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge DT play with Kenny K

Good afternoon to you all

and welcome to the next

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge

I apologise for the lateness of this post, this was due to creating an additional page link at the top, relating to last weeks wonderful open weekend at the Secret Crafter shop.  There were lots of photo's as Matt did really well as the unofficial photographer for the weekend.  He was using his new phone that is better at taking photo's than my crafting camera :(

Moving on then, I did manage to hop like mad all over the place last week to see all the wonderful creations that our very talented followers entered into the home made gifts challenge, wow you all do think right outside the box don't you.

This week my teamie Melissa has given us a Recipe to follow

3 Snowflakes

2 Circles

Lace

The design team were also given the choice of some amazing Kenny K images to use, I chose "Xmas Shopping"  as our sponsor for the last challenge of November is the one and only

Kenny K Downloads

Elena and Kenny have very generously offered 3 prizes for us.

* 1st prize - any 3 digis of choice

* 2nd prize - any 2 digis of choice

* 3rd prize - a digi of choice

 

Here is my design team creation

These papers are MME. The base card is gold mirror card, the paper edges have been distressed and stickles added.  I used the circle nestie to create the circles and emobssed these also.  I added Tim Holtz Tattered Rose distress ink around the image and the sentiment.  I added the gold edge lace with the red ribbon threaded through this on the top and bottom of the inner return and made a bow to frame the sentiment.  I used a die cut snowflake a cuttlebug one I believe and then an antique snowflake to drop on some gold chain.  A little punched snowflake on the top of the large on and a brad from stash.  I also used some liquid applique for her fluffy bits.

Die's, Nestie's, stickles, distress ink and ribbon can be located at the Secret Crafter Shop

Here are some more images

The snowflakes in more detail, the snowflake has been cut out of acetate and then glass particules added for the frosty look (it is snowing and settleing again as I write this, so it does look so similar)  I added a little stickles too.

A close up of the image, she is coloured with copics, oh almost forgot to mention the Xmas sakuro on her hat and the cut in half fluff bobble.

and finally that all important inner return

B r b ....................................................... need to get a coffee as the snow is making me feel cold just looking at it :)

OK here I am again, and I am entering this creation into the following challenges

One Stop Craft - Xmas Cuties

Craft Your Days Away - Texture

Die Cut Dreams Xmas - A die

Allsorts - Monochrome

Crafty Catz - Xmas

Polka Doodles - Twas the Night Before Xmas (Last minute shopping)

Crafty Sentiments - Christmas

Digi Doodle Shops Best - Red and green

Moving Along with the Times - More than one fold

CEE Stampers - Lace

Stampin B's - Holiday Card

CRAFT - Xmas Present (inside all those bags)

I would like to say thank you to all of my lovely visitors who take the time to leave me such inspiring comments :)  I love them all

Well hope you all have a great weekend

 and if you are a Strictly or X Factor addict enjoy your evening

if not what ever you choose to do for the weekend, enjoy and be safe

Hugs

Kate xx

The A M A Z I N G "Rick St. Dennis" - One off Opportunity - Be Quick!!!!!!!

Good evening

and what can I say, than I have never in my life worked with such an amazing image and in this case will never again as this image will after this challenge be retired :(  but read on to see how you could be the lucky one to win this or one of the other images used by our Design Team.

The next challenge is on at

Stampin with the Dragon

The Theme is 

FANTASY. ANYTHING MAKE BELIEVE. 

The Design Team were given the choice of using three amazing images.

Our Sponsor this week is

 Pop and take a look at his amazing work here

This is a little bit about Rick

Rick St. Dennis MFA

Now a much collected pen and ink artist brings his art to DIGI-Stamps!

Designer of over 100 theatrical productions, Rick St Dennis is also the author of 4 books on decorative painting and contributor to at least a dozen national magazines on crafts and art. He has taught design at the college level as well as seminars and classes across the USA and Canada. He is one of a handful of designers to have designed TWO productions of AIDA, Verdi's massive Egyptian opera spectacle. Currently living in the quiet beach community of Seal Beach, California he writes restaurant reviews and theater reviews between assignments for web designs, logos and creating art for local shows. Rick has appeared on such TV shows as Home Matters with Susan Powell, Aileen's Crafts and others. He was Crafts editor for Country Folk Art Magazine and sells his artwork nationally through galleries and shows. Among numerous awards he has won a presidential commendation in 1976 for his contributions to the bicentennial year including the design of the west coast premier of William Grant Still's opera BAYOU LEGEND. His drawings and paintings are in the collections of Diana Ross, Sandy Duncan, Sammy Davis Jr. and Jacqueline Onnasis amongst others. 

Please pop and take a look at his blog here 

So why should you be quick????????????????????????

There will only be ONE LUCKY WINNER for this week's challenge. That winner will receive a One in a Lifetime Digital Sheet of the 3 dragons used by our DT

AND

Several other digi's to go with this theme.

 

So hurry hurry hurry!!!!!! to be in with a chance :) and good luck !!

 

Here is what I created with the image I chose

This image is called "Lunch on the Fly" and it made me smile as soon as I saw it.  I don't think I will actually ever let this leave my shelf as I love it so much - so it is Just to cheer me.

A very simple layer of pearlized coffee paper with the not too fussy red paper on top with the image framed with the pearlized paper and simple pearls so as not to draw the attention away from the image, not that anything really could.

The image I printed two, one to practice on and one as my final piece.  I cut out the practice one and placed this carefully as a mask over the final piece.  I then used my torn paper and Tim Holtz distressed denim distress ink to create the cloudy sky.

Here is a close up of this amazing image

I have used copics on the dragon  and Atyou glitter pens on the poor little man that is his lunch.  I added just a little clear glitter sakuro to his teeth and nails

 

Like I said a fabulous image to colour and a dragon now you just cannot get better than that.

 

I am entering this creation into the following challenges

Anything Goes - Animals

Fab N Funky - Go with the Flow

Creative Inspirations Paint - Spread your Wings

I did it Creations - Wings
Cute Card Thursday - Blast from the past (Animal Magic)
Inktegrity - Anything goes

 

I would like to thank all my wonderful visitors who leave such lovely comments.

 

Hugs

Kate xx

 



Come On All of You "Shape Up" for the new Winter Wonderland Challenge

Good morning to you and welcome to another fabulous

WINTER WONDERLAND CHALLENGE

First of all I would like to apologise for the lack of posting and commenting over this week, I am still on catch up from my fabulous weekend away, of which I will be posting some details tomorrow morning along with some pictures.

I did however manage to still hop all over and see all of the amazing creations for the decoration challenge last week, wow you are certainly a talented bunch.

So this week the very talented Danielle is hosting the challenge and she has set a fabulous theme, actually the title might suggest we have finished Xmas and we might need to start  joining weight watchers or other well known weight loss clubs :) but as it is before Xmas actually it is something so so so much better.

The theme is

SHAPE UP!!!

(that is a Christmas card with no squares or rectangles)

and we are sponsored by that amazing shopping experience

 with a fabulous $15 to spend in the store :)

Here is what I created

An Easel card in a circle.  I still need to purchase some of those fabulous Go Kreate dies, but until then this shows you that you can produce a circle easel without one.  I used a compass, a good old fashioned method.  I created the base card and also the topper back this way.  I then two mirror green ones the same to add as the bottom layer.  Also using the same method the red designer paper circles also.  At this point I was able to use my Marianne creatables die to make the scalloped border in the green mirror card.  The image is one I picked up in a local craft shop, I had not used it so really felt I ought too.  She is sort of cute and the fire was added via masking from the same stamp set.  I used the circle nestie to create the image plate and embossed it's edges on both sentiment and image.  A tiny row of pearls added to run around the image and part of the way around the sentiment, just up to the words themselves.  I added a  few more of the pearls under the sentiment.

The ribbon edging took an absolute age, but I was wathcing Strictly and X Factor with a tray on my knees, so not too bad.  Each piece of ribbon is cut and folded and glued in place, so so so worth it when you see the finished look.  A large green brad from the Hobby House holds the card in it's easel formation.

I am entering this creation into the following challenges

CRAFTS and Me - Xmas
A Spoonful of Sugar - Anything Goes
Everybody Art Challenge - Use Shapes
Lexi's Creations - Traditional Christmas Colors
Stamps R Us - Sparkle and scallops
One Stitch At A Time - A Season or Event (Trimming the Tree in front of the fire at Xmas)
Scrappy Frogs - Xmas

I would also like to thank all of my visitors who take the time to comment on my creations - I love reading them and very much appreciate them all

Mr Blogger will be publishing for me today and it is hoped that I will be able to mobile blog at some point to link to the challenges, if not I will be able to do this whilst waiting for the Asda delivery van to bring my shopping - yes I started it and now cannot stop - more crafting time :)

Hugs to you all and hope if you not to well, that you get better very soon.

Kate xx



Secret Crafter DT Hand Made Christmas Gifts and "What's New Pussy Cat whoa whoa whoa o o !!!!!!"

Good morning to you all in the land of blog and have I got you all singing along with Tom Jones.........

Mr Blogger will hopefully post this for me today, the little sweetie that he is, and as this posts I will be making my way to the Secret Crafter shop to meet all those talented design team members and you never know I might meet some of you too.  I will be taking the opportunity to do some retail therapy whilst I am there as there are some fabulous papers in the shop at the minute :) and lots of new stash.

So this morning brings the next super challenge for the  

SECRET CRAFTER SATURDAY CHALLENGE

Jane has chosen the theme this week and wow is it a fabulous one

Handmade Christmas Gifts

Oh I got so messy creating this design team inspirational piece, you will see why :)

 Quite a while ago I bought some plain cheap coasters from a local department store.  I had not got around to using them and felt that this was that "opportune moment".  I have made a set of coasters and a matching box for a Xmas Gift for Matt's sister. 

I started off by printing this lovely Manga image onto my digi paper.  

The image is "Cat Girl" and is available here for only  £2.99 as a digi, or if you prefer it is also available as a clear polymer stamp here at £5.50

I placed the full sheet of printed out images A4 onto an A4 double sided sticky sheet.  I then carefully cut around each image and placed these aside.  I then used gesso to coat the top of each coaster, before moving on to use an acrylic paint in a sand colour, I used two coats of the acrylic for total coverage.  

I carefully peeled off the image backing sheet and placed the image onto the coaster. Using my little make up sponge and Tim Holtz vintage photo distress ink to distress all the edges around and upto the image.  This took several goes to get the coverage that I was looking for.  I used a brillance gold ink pad to edge the coasters before covering in two coats of varnish, well you just gotta protect those Cat's now haven't you.

The box I made to fit and used some gorgeous linen textured papers from GCD Studios called Paris Nights, I distressed all the edges on this too.

Here are some more photo's

 A little closer look at the set, I placed the image at a slight angle on each.

 The sides of the box, isn't this paper delish?

 The top of the box

A final close up of just one of the coasters.

So what are you waiting for pop over and take a look at the other creations and off you go to play, have fun, I know I did.

Thank you to all of you who have visited recently and left such lovely inspiring comments, love all of them

Hugs and Happy Crafting to you all

Kate xx

 

Stampin With The Dragon - And a Bit of Fishy Playing

Good evening to you all in the land of blog

Today I am going to show you something that was a definite first for me and after a few more attempts on other items I may just get it just right - but here it is and we will see what you think

This is Rupert Goes Fishing Take 1 and Rupert Goes Fishing Take 2, these are the images that Janette created for me in one day after I asked her if she could create one, and she not only created the one, but created two. Before now I have only used the first one but really wanted to create a scene, something I think I need lots more practice on but I have some plans in place to do just that.  But this is a calendar created using both of them that Matt can use to plan his fishing trips and matches.

Well must rush as I really need to pack my bags ready for my trip tomorrow, please see the static notice above and then you will understand my need to pack and with hope I will get to meet some of you there.

oh and don't forget the amazing challenge still going on at

Stampin with the Dragon

and all those multiple prizes and grand prizes

I am entering this into
Papercraft Star - Card or Tag (hope you accept calendars) with either a bauble or a tree (or several as in this case)
PDCC - Red, Olive and Turquoise

Have a great weekend, I know I will

Hugs Kate xx

Wicked Winter Wonderland Design Team Decorations

Good morning to you all again in the land of blog

and yes today brings us another step closer to Xmas with a new fabulous challenge at 

WINTER WONDERLAND

hosted by the very talended Janet

Our Sponsor this week is Teri at Delicious Doodles

 but I cannot move on without saying how lovely it was to be hopping all over the place last week to see your entries into the last Winter Sports Challenge, it was so difficult to choose a winner, I can tell you.  

This is my creation for this weeks Design Team inspiration, but you should pop and have a look at the rest of the team's creations too, as they are fantastic

This is an acetate bauble, I was so pleased with the final creation, may have to make some more.  I started by cutting 10 pieces of acetate 6" long and 3/4".  I used my eyelet punch to create a hole at the top and bottom of each piece.  I then stamped with white stazon a swirly image at each end (doesn't actually show this on the photo, sorry)  I then used my glue pad and glued up each side and then slid each side through some very fine white glitter.  Matt the dearest hubby created a hook for me, which he had created through a large brad, which I coloured with red copics.  I also coloured a second large brad.  Placing the plain brad through all the holes at one end, and the hook created brad the top end.  (now it looks nothing like this at that stage), I hooked the berries from the Hobby Craft shop onto the underside of the top brad hook that Matt made for me and then very carefully fan out the acetate to create the circle.  I then added the ribbon at the top just to finish it off.  

Was not sure if it would fit any challenges
but think it would fit
ABC Xmas - X is for Xmas and flowers (it is a Xmas bauble and filled with flowers)
Simon Says Sparkle - with Glitter and Bling (The edges are all glittered up and the flowers are glittered too)
Fab N Funky - Forget me Not (I have not used my acetate for a long long time)

I would like to thank all my wonderful talented visitors and to those of you who leave me such kind comments.

Tomorrow morning I will be setting off nice and early for my weekend away........ If you would like to know where I am going please see the static notice at the top of my blog.  I am so looking forward to meeting the rest of the Secret Crafter team and many of their followers.  Hopefully I will see you there :)

Hugs Kate x

Multiple Prizes For the Big Challenge at Stampin With The Dragon .............

Good evening to you all and hope your week is going well.

Have you not popped to take a look yet???????????????

Let me remind you that currently there is one amazing challenge going on over at   

Stampin with the Dragon 

and here is why

We are celebrating the release of 12 new Christmas Images all designed by the amazing Janette.  The design team went mad with the images and created lots of inspirational pieces, these can all be seen on the challenge blog.  I am going to be posting my creations over the two week period. So I can remind you to go and enter as you just gotta see what is on offer in the fabulous prizes.

the theme for this fortnights challenge is

INSPIRED BY A HOLIDAY SONG

If you enter and use any image you could win one of the following prizes:

1st Prize: May Arts Ribbons (ribbons from May Arts)

2nd Prize: Magnolia Magazine and 2 Stamps

3rd Prize: Whiff of Joy Stamps (1 dragon stamp)

Yep, that is three chances to win again

Although there is going to be a GRAND PRIZE too, this will only be available to those of you that enter using one of the Stampin Dragon images which can be located here

1ST: Wacom CTH461 Bamboo Craft Pen & Touch Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: May Arts Ribbons (ribbons from May Arts)

3rd Grand Prize: $10 gift cert. for Your Next Stamp.

Each time I show another of my creations I will remind you about the amazing sponsor line up :)

 May Arts Ribbons
  May Arts is a leading distributor of high quality ribbon products, serving a wide variety of merchants from large retail outlets to home-based business in the craft and scrapbooking, gift, stationery, quilting, fancy food, floral, interior design and jewelry industries.  Since its founding, May Arts has built its business on a foundation of quality products, affordability, and outstanding customer service.

Your Next Stamp is a new rubber stamp company based in Canada, founded and run by the wonderful Karen Dedman. YNS offers a huge range of fun, cute and whimsical images to suit all occasions. All YNS stamps are deep-etched PURPLE rubber and come to you cling-mounted . If you haven't seen these stamps yet, then hop on over to the store and take a look - you won't be disappointed!

Whiff of Joy

Situated in the heart of Europe (Switzerland), Whiff of Joy specializes in natural,

deeply etched red rubber stamps, die cuts and other card making goodies.

All of which are designed specifically for stampers, from a stamper.

Whiff of Joy works hard to exceed your expectations both in quality and service.

Share our passion for creating homemade gifts and cards. express your love and

appreciation for your loved ones by surprising them with a self-made gift.

With a Whiff of Joy stamp you will always be able to highlight a magical moment in somebody’s life.

Wow isn't that an amazing line up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is another of the images available at the Dragon's Lair, it is one of the new Christmas Images, pop and take a look here

I got this fabulous card template from the Doncaster Dome on the Which Craft Stall - I think.  I have used a red pearlised card for the base and topped this with a cream paper from stash.  I distressed all the edges and then glittered them all up.  I added liquid pearls to the scallop edge at the bottom and then some foil ribbons from the Ribbon Box (these are fabulous to play with)  I added a little stickles red glitter to the centre of the bow.  The large ribbon and bow from my stash.  The image is coloured with copics and lots of stickles too, for that added sparkle.  

I am entering this little creation into the following challenges

Lady Bug - Xmas Sparkle

A Spoonful of Sugar - Distressing

Simon Says Show - "What ever makes you happy"
edited thank you Mary J - Totally Gorjuss - Traditional Xmas Colours

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my wonderful visitors who leave such lovely comments, I love each and every one of them, Thank you :)

Hugs and Happy Crafting

Kate xx

Something Amazing is Going on at Stampin With the Dragon, do you know what it is??

Good evening to you all and hope you all had a fabulous weekend.

If you have not found out yet then please read on.....................

Just wanted to remind you all that currently there is one amazing challenge going on over at   

Stampin with the Dragon 

and here is why

We are celebrating the release of 12 new Christmas Images all designed by the amazing Janette.  The design team went mad with the images and created lots of inspirational pieces, these can all be seen on the challenge blog.  I am going to be posting my creations over the two week period. So I can remind you to go and enter as you just gotta see what is on offer in the fabulous prizes.

the theme for this fortnights challenge is

INSPIRED BY A HOLIDAY SONG

If you enter and use any image you could win one of the following prizes:

1st Prize: May Arts Ribbons (ribbons from May Arts)

2nd Prize: Magnolia Magazine and 2 Stamps

3rd Prize: Whiff of Joy Stamps (1 dragon stamp)

Yep, that is three chances to win again

Although there is going to be a GRAND PRIZE too, this will only be available to those of you that enter using one of the Stampin Dragon images which can be located here

1ST: Wacom CTH461 Bamboo Craft Pen & Touch Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: May Arts Ribbons (ribbons from May Arts)

3rd Grand Prize: $10 gift cert. for Your Next Stamp.

Each time I show another of my creations I will remind you about the amazing sponsor line up :)

 May Arts Ribbons
  May Arts is a leading distributor of high quality ribbon products, serving a wide variety of merchants from large retail outlets to home-based business in the craft and scrapbooking, gift, stationery, quilting, fancy food, floral, interior design and jewelry industries.  Since its founding, May Arts has built its business on a foundation of quality products, affordability, and outstanding customer service.

Your Next Stamp is a new rubber stamp company based in Canada, founded and run by the wonderful Karen Dedman. YNS offers a huge range of fun, cute and whimsical images to suit all occasions. All YNS stamps are deep-etched PURPLE rubber and come to you cling-mounted . If you haven't seen these stamps yet, then hop on over to the store and take a look - you won't be disappointed!

Whiff of Joy

Situated in the heart of Europe (Switzerland), Whiff of Joy specializes in natural,

deeply etched red rubber stamps, die cuts and other card making goodies.

All of which are designed specifically for stampers, from a stamper.

Whiff of Joy works hard to exceed your expectations both in quality and service.

Share our passion for creating homemade gifts and cards. express your love and

appreciation for your loved ones by surprising them with a self-made gift.

With a Whiff of Joy stamp you will always be able to highlight a magical moment in somebody’s life.

Wow isn't that an amazing line up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is what I have created using one of the new Christmas images  here
I have used gold mirror card along with some platinum stickles.  The top papers are from Dovecraft.  The MS punch showing the gold holly and the ribbon from stash just to finish off the holly. The image plate is a new Marianne Creatable and I added liquid pearls around for that final touch.  I really enjoyed colouring this gorgeous little image.

I am entering this little creation into the following challenges

Paper Sundaes - I topped it with a punch and some ribbon
2 Sisters - Xmas
CSAYL - Stripes
Digi's With Attitude - Sparkle (glitter), ribbon and 2 dp

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my wonderful visitors who leave such lovely comments, I love each and every one of them, Thank you :)

Don't forget to look out for the posts to follow for samples of the other new releases.

Hugs and Happy Crafting

Kate xx

Sparkling and Shining with the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge DT

Good morning to you all and welcome to the weekend

Oh I really did enjoy hopping around to see all the wonderful entries into last weeks challenge, there were some amazing entries.

This week at the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge our host is Helen and she has chosen the theme of 

Sparkle and Shine

I was really excited about this theme as I would be able to use all my glitters, diamante's, sparkly ribbon's and sparkly flowers.

Here is what I created

The base layer is a metalic gold pearlized paper which really shimmers and shines, the papers are from the GCD Studios stack 12 x 12.  The punch is my new MS Holly (it is so nice to use a different Xmas edge punch) The image frame is a again one of my new ones a Marianne Creatable, I added a plum colour stickles to the edge of the die and also the edge of the image plate.  There are little plum diamante's on each of the stars around the image. The lace is the gold edged one that you can if you want run the ribbon through it - lots of places sell this now, but I got mine from a local department store.  I placed some red glitter ribbon over it for that amazing sparkle. The flowers are from a colleague at work, who bought them and then did not use them, but thought of me (thank you and you know who you are) they are plum coloured and contain little diamante's, I used the holly embossed punch to create the foliage.  All the edges were distressed and glittered.  The image of course is one of the Manga images this one is called "Angel Boy" see below for the details and a close up of the image. I made a gutted envelope to match, using my own design perspex template, wow does this save time and certainly presents those cards to perfection.

The inner return with a pull string ribbon in plum with gold edges and the MSE sentiment. I added some more diamante to pick up the front of the card.

 

Here he is this is "Angel Boy" he is available here at the Secret Crafter shop as a digi for only £2.99 although if you do not like digis he is also available here as a clear polymer stamp for £5.50.   I do so love these images and they are so easy to colour, I have used copics and a clear glitter sakuro pen along with a white gel pen for highlights.

Please pop over here and join in the challenge fun with us and have a look at the other inspiration for this challenge by our very talented Design Team.

I am entering this card into the following challenges

Fab N Funky - Going Round in Circles

Scrapbook Sisters - Xmas Colours

Crafts and me - Glitter

Sunday's with Chrissy - Red, Green and Gold

Anything Goes - Emboss It, I hope the embossed die fits this challenge if not please ignore :)

 Paperplay - Ribbon, Lace and Flowers

Totally Gorjuss - Traditional Xmas Colours

thank you so much to all my wonderful visitors who leave such inspiring and lovely comments I love them all.

Well must pop off as I need to prepare for my trip to see Wendy at the Secret Crafter Shop for the open weekend, please see the static details at the top of my blog, and hope to see some of you there.

hope you have a lovely day and if you are watching Strictly or X Factor, enjoy your viewing this evening

Kate x

Christmas Special with Stampin with the Dragon DT - Don't miss out, multiple Fabulous Prizes

Good evening to you all and hope you are starting off your Friday evening well

I certainly am as you will see within this post.  

Today marks the beginning of an amazing two week challenge over at the  

Stampin with the Dragon 

and here is why

We are celebrating the release of 12 new Christmas Images all designed by the amazing Janette.  The design team went mad with the images and created lots of inspirational pieces, these can all be seen on the challenge blog.  I am going to be posting my creations over the two week period. So I can remind you to go and enter as you just gotta see what is on offer in the fabulous prizes.

the theme for this fortnights challenge is

INSPIRED BY A HOLIDAY SONG

If you enter and use any image you could win one of the following prizes:

1st Prize: May Arts Ribbons (ribbons from May Arts)

2nd Prize: Magnolia Magazine and 2 Stamps

3rd Prize: Whiff of Joy Stamps (1 dragon stamp)

Yep, that is three chances to win again

Although there is going to be a GRAND PRIZE too, this will only be available to those of you that enter using one of the Stampin Dragon images which can be located here

1ST: Wacom CTH461 Bamboo Craft Pen & Touch Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: May Arts Ribbons (ribbons from May Arts)

3rd Grand Prize: $10 gift cert. for Your Next Stamp.

Each time I show another of my creations I will remind you about the amazing sponsor line up :)

 May Arts Ribbons
  May Arts is a leading distributor of high quality ribbon products, serving a wide variety of merchants from large retail outlets to home-based business in the craft and scrapbooking, gift, stationery, quilting, fancy food, floral, interior design and jewelry industries.  Since its founding, May Arts has built its business on a foundation of quality products, affordability, and outstanding customer service.

Your Next Stamp is a new rubber stamp company based in Canada, founded and run by the wonderful Karen Dedman. YNS offers a huge range of fun, cute and whimsical images to suit all occasions. All YNS stamps are deep-etched PURPLE rubber and come to you cling-mounted . If you haven't seen these stamps yet, then hop on over to the store and take a look - you won't be disappointed!

Whiff of Joy

Situated in the heart of Europe (Switzerland), Whiff of Joy specializes in natural,

deeply etched red rubber stamps, die cuts and other card making goodies.

All of which are designed specifically for stampers, from a stamper.

Whiff of Joy works hard to exceed your expectations both in quality and service.

Share our passion for creating homemade gifts and cards. express your love and

appreciation for your loved ones by surprising them with a self-made gift.

With a Whiff of Joy stamp you will always be able to highlight a magical moment in somebody’s life.

Wow isn't that an amazing line up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is what I have created using one of the new Christmas images which are being released today, this image is called "In a Tangle" and can be purchased here

I sort of got carried away again and then realised that I had to match it to a holiday song, I suppose I had several choices really but I am going to cheat and take a slight inspiration from my amazing teamie Marlene, the reason for this is the song itself.  You see I have this awesome mobile phone song on my phone and it is called "The Twelve Pains of Xmas", now if you have never heard this then you just gotta go google it and locate it as it is fabulous.  Marlene has very kindly typed out some of the lyrics and to save space on this post - I will if it is alright with you all ask you to pop over and read them on Marlene's ace post.  (Thanks Marlene) 

I started with a little empty Prima flower tin, that I really did not want to throw away.  I added some Chenile string, or as my husband Matt would say "fluff chucker" string.  Now for those of you who are new to following me, we have a rule in our house, if I wish to go to a craft sale, then Matt is allowed to go to a fishing sale.  I attended with him to the Newark showground earlier this year for his fishing show and I was the first person to buy something.  I went straight to the fly fishing stall and bought a lovely little box of multicoloured chenile string.  (it is the string that they make their little flies out of)  I think my use is so much better.  I glued and wrapped the string around the original little metal handle.  I then used a little finger lift tape to hold a gorgeous pink satin ribbon in place to tie around the sides of the little box finishing up on the top near the handle with a big bow. I finally added some diamante gems around the edge.

I started out by printing the lovely new digi image onto my preferred paper and coloured it in with my copics.  I then created a template of the plastic inlay and used this to cut around the coloured image.  I then used Tim Holtz Tattered Rose distress ink to colour around the image to give it a soft feel to it.  I glued the image on to the plastic inlay and used some more of the fluff chucker chenile to edge the image.  The embossed effect and diamante's were already on the tin.

Here is a close up of the image, it reminds me of Matt and I each year trying to remove the knotts from our numerous light sets and this is before the tree actually gets put up.  I have used a white gel pen to highlight.  Aren't they just adorable :)

I am entering this little creation into the following challenges

PDCC - Red, Aqua, Pink, Blue and Plum (photo inspirational challenge)

Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
Polka Doodle - Gift Box
Stamp Something - Digi

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my wonderful visitors who leave such lovely comments, I love each and every one of them, Thank you :)

Don't forget to look out for the posts to follow for samples of the other new releases.

Hugs and Happy Crafting

Kate xx

Play along with the Winter Wonderland DT and Winter Sports

Good morning to you all out there in the land of blog

and here we are again with the next challenge at Winter Wonderland, and it is my turn to host this week so I chose the theme of

Winter Sports

and our fabulous sponsors this week are

The Stamp Barn - you just gotta see what the prize is (I think it is fabulous and shame I cannot enter)

Here is what I created for this weeks Design Team Piece

Have you spotted it yet? yes that amazing Manga Image, Oh I just adore these image and cannot get enough of them at the moment.

This one is called Christmas Sledging and can be purchased for £2.99 here There is a lovely selection of the manga images and they are all available here in the Secret Crafter shop.

I have used some MME papers to go with this lovely image and the base card is silver mirror card.  I have used the MS snowflake punch and added some fibres to the base of the image.  Then a swirl of pale blue wire was wrapped around a tent peg to create a lovely linear place to hold some little bells in blue and boy do they jingle. The sentiment is an MSE. I also made a matching envelope.

My don't they look like they are having fun sledging :)

I am entering this creation in the following challenges

A Spoonful of Sugar - who would like to see Snow or Snowflakes, I hope that you can see the snow with the added glitter they are sledging on :)

Paper Sundaes - Let is Snow

OSAAT - Winter

Thank you to all my lovely visitors and the wonderful comments that those of you who choose to comment leave - I love each and every comment.

Hope your weekend starts well

Hugs and Happy Crafting

Kate x

A Little bit of a Tassle between Our Vintage Affair and Dezina's World??

Good evening to you all out there in the land of blog, which must be oh so much drier than here in the UK at the moment

I can here the rain beating down on the roof of  my little Beach Hut and as I am typing here in our office the poor drain pipes and gutters just cannot cope with it all, but at least it is washing the dirt off the cars, washing the grass and watering those plants.

Our Vintage Affair                          V                              Dezinaworld          

As soon as I saw these two challenges I just knew that I had to enter them both, and then there was this tassle between which one to enter first, well I just had to combine them and enter them both with the same item, as that would stop my heading quarrelling with itself.  

Our Vintage Affair is a to Decorate a bar of chocolate

and

Dezinaworld is a little list

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO ...

1/ Create a piece of art (one entry each only please ) ... CARD/ATC/ANY PAPER CRAFTS or other physical art ( Sorry no digital this time ) Using a Dezinaworld  Image - If you havent yet purchased any you can use any of the many DEZINAWORLD  FREE PRINTABLE  IMAGES HERE
2/ Make sure you are a follower - If not, then add to follow
3/ Make a post on your blog mentioning the 'Everyone Wins Challenge and  a photo of your creation
4/ Please tell all your friends so they dont miss out 
5/ Enter by adding your details to the inlinkz box below

I agreed some time ago that I would only make things that I could actually use, and this will make a lovely Xmas gift

here is my creation

I used some GCD Studio papers (those ones that are similar to the Papermania Silent Night ones) and I used layers of different colours, I distressed all the edges and used some gold mirror card to frame Dezina's gorgeous freebie (check out her page for your freebie's).  I added a little lace too.

I love how Polly uses the lacing with the eyelets and just could not think of another way of joining the sleeve that would be as pretty.

Here is a close up of that image

I used Tim Holtz vintage photo to distress the edges.

I was so excited on Saturday night to find that I had over 100 visitors view my site in one day an all time high for me, so would like to thank all of those lovely visitors and especially those that left such wonderful comments on the Secret Craft DT piece and the Glitter Globes (thank you Miria for reminding me of what they were called) I am still shaking them every time I go into the Beach Hut, they are so addictive.  If you did not get to see them, please look at the post below.

Hope you all have a lovely evening and that the week has started off well for you

Hugs Kate xx