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Monday, 31 January 2011

Continued Excitement with Stampin With The Dragon and Another New Release

Good morning to you all in the land of blog
Just a quick reminder that Stamping with the Dragon are on Relaunch take a look here, this is where you will find the blog hop and the candy and some fabulous fun

Today I get to show you one of the other relaunch new release images from Dragon's Lair Designs

This one is called Just Chill-in
I have found that the embossing of my smaller Marianne dies come out much cleaner through the grand callibur than through my cuttlebug.  Here I have used a white Marianne die for the image plate and used a pink large nestie to frame this.  I have used some Papermania Capsule Collection from the Mono range in Purples and a mint green for the lovely swirls.  The flowers are from Wild Orchid and the branch punch just sets them off nicely. The sentiment is an MSE.

Here is a close up of the image
coloured in copics with a white gel pen for the highlights, the image plate has been edged with Tim Holtz tattered rose

I am entering this cutie into the following challenges
Gingerloft - things that fly
Crafty Emma - Bold and Bright
Fuzzy Wuzzy - Animal and Anything Goes
Some Odd Girl - scallops galore

I would like to welcome my new followers and say thank you to those visitors that take the time to leave me such wonderful comments, love them all

Hugs Kate xx

Sunday, 30 January 2011

Love Blog Award

Good early evening to you all in the land of blog, the other evening, I received a comment from a passing blogger Carole of Brum, who said she was hopping over to see my blog as she had seen I had won the award on Sylvie's blog.  On hopping over yep there I was, and how nice it was to receive the award, thank you Sylvie

I would also like to welcome Kevin one of my new followers who also hopped over from Sylvie's blog.

There are a couple of conditions for the award

You have been TAGGED and want to participate? Then create a post where you post the 'LOVE BLOG' image. You should also blog the persons link that gave you the award and inform her/him that you accept the award. You can then choose 3 - 5 favourite blogs which you also link in your post, then each blogger will inform you that they have been tagged



Dear bloggers:

The aim of this action is that we bring unknown, good blogs to light,

so I would ask you not to blog fellow bloggers that already have 3,000 followers.


This is the hard part passing it on as ALL you fellow crafting bloggers deserve this award but rules is rules, I am passing this onto 5 blogs that I have commented on as a DT for one of my teams and one of my DT teamies that doesn't have many followers and most definitely deserves to be seen more :), I felt they all deserved the award:



In no particular order



So if you get time please pop over and check out these lovely blogs!!

Happy Hopping
Kate xx

Saturday, 29 January 2011

The Sheer Enjoyment of the Grand Callibur

Now I know what you were all thinking, or I think I do, or maybe I might not and maybe it is just me!!!!!
Anyway enough of all of that, posting has been that busy of late, with all the new releases and excitement, that this creation that I made about a week back, still has not had it's airing, which is such a shame as I thoroughly enjoyed making it.

The image is another Kanban set this time purchased from Grimsby Crafts, the papers are GCD Studio's "Paris Nights" and yes Mandy I was stroking them again, not too much, so fluff is still on them, but oh my I had to put the fluffy one through the grand callibur, sacrilege but it just had to be done. You see this is a very special birthday card so not the normal size either. But wow do these grand circles make the most of these delicious papers.

Here is the photo of the one with the idea of the size on it, the little nestie at the bottom is the largest normal circle nestie.  The other circles on the card are made with the grand nesties (think that about explains the size)
So if you love scrap booking it might be a must to have a grand callibur, I remember when I first started scrap booking and wanted a circle this size and had to use a plate to draw around :), oh and before I forget the grand nesties are in stock at Grimsby Crafts.  

So moving on to the actual card, with out the nestie posing for you at the side
All the papers have been distressed and platinum stickles added for glitz.  All papers are layered onto black card.  The sentiments on the front are two out of four available within this Kanban image pack which are clear polymer and fabulous to use.  The image is edged with Tim Holtz antique linen and over stamped with the same and a swirl stamp.  The image itself is coloured with copics, the black dress is given a little more panache by a clear glitter sakuro pen lightly layered over the top of the copic grey's colouring.  The feathers oh my the feathers - I have some gorgeous feathers from the local department store, this one was white.  I cut off all the little fronds and individually glued them with a pin flair pen, once dry I then lifted for the effect before running the ribbon across the bottom.  

I actually followed a sketch for this one but knew it would work so well but the sketch required flowers and was for last weeks challenge not this, but still feel that the credit for a fabulous sketch should be made
The sketch is 
sketch - Page 016_2
Friday Sketchers, last weeks not this weeks

I am entering this extra large card into the following challenges
Crafty Sentiments - your favourite things - this one the fluffy papers :)
Do You Stack Up - patterned paper
Paper Play - Layer it up
Rubber Cafe - Sparkle and Glitter
Crafts and Me - Monochrome
Everybody Art Challenge - my favourite thing - the fluffy papers :)
Ooh La La Creations - 3 of a kind (three papers from the Paris Nights collection)
Crafty Pad - Girly
Copic Creations - something new and copics (the image)
Delicious Doodles - Spots or Stripes

Welcome to my new followers and thank you for all the lovely comments from my fabulously crafting visitors and thank you to Sylvie for the lovely award, I am currently looking who to give this too.

Enjoy your weekend
Kate 
xx

Why not try a "Hot Chocolate" with the Secret Crafter Design Team!! and a DT call

Good morning to you all in the land of blog
Today brings our next challenge at the


and a DT call

today's theme has been chosen by Melissa and it is

Hot Chocolate

The design team were given some images to use from our regular monthly sponsor 

who are offering the winner on the last challenge of each month 5 digis of the winners choice

Here is a little about the Stamping Boutique
I'm Tracey Malnofski, the artist and owner of The Stamping Boutique. My team and I are very happy to sponsor Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge. My store has been open since September 2009.I am currently a stamp artist for Unity Stamp Co. and I've worked for InStyleStamps, Squigglefly, and TheDigiShack in the past. I'm a professional artist and an active member of the Artist' Guild in my community. I have quite a busy household with a husband, 3 teenagers, 5 mini-dachshunds and an Appaloosa mare. It's noisy, but I love them all. I'm truly blessed. "The Stamping Boutique" is dedicated to quality products and original artwork. We not only provide wonderful digital images in our store, but also several lines of red rubber images. Our designers are chosen for their character and personality,as well as, their beautiful designs. We work hard to give you our very best. Thank you so much for having us as your sponsor this week.

I chose to use "Heart Breaker"

Here is my design team inspirational piece

The base layer is a pale blue paper with some delish designer papers from Grimsby Crafts (I spotted these new additions to the stock their and just had to have them for this weeks creation, they are shades of browns and creams with a hint of green and whilst buying them just had to have some of this lace too.  The sentiment is computer generated and both image and sentiment are edged with Tim Holtz peeled paint distress ink, I also added some gold liquid pearls both are available at the Secret Crafter Shop
The image is coloured in with copics a white gel pen to highlight and a gold gel pen for the hearts.

I am entering this creation into the following challenges
Charisma Cardz - Valentine or Love
Delightful Challenges - include a heart on your project
Fab N Funky - Use a digi
Gingersnap Creations - coffee and cream inspirational and actual :)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend
thank you to all my lovely visitors and your oh so inspiring comments, love the all

Hugs Kate 
xx

Friday, 28 January 2011

Rockin All Over The World......................................

Good evening to you all in the land of blog
This is a card I created last night for Lynn for display at Grimsby Crafts.  The papers and Kanban Image and sentiments are available now at Grimsby Crafts, along with a lovely selection of other papers and images, which I have really enjoyed using.  Cannot wait to show you more as the weeks go by.

I decided to use these images as I think it allows the user to practice the colouring and shading skills, I will be using the same papers and the other image in a class that I will be running at the end of February.

A little short on time this evening so here is the card I created
The card class will start off with basic skills and work up to more advanced processes.  The base papers on this are a deep blue A4 card, with these lovely papers contrasting so well.  The image is edged in Tim Holtz peeled paint distress ink and over stamped with the little music notes that also come with the image pack.  
The image is coloured in copics with a little clear glitter sakuro for the symbols.  I used a white gel pen for highlights.  The pearls are also a deep blue and from the Hobby House, although Lynn is ordering delicious new stock every day.  

Yesterday I treated myself to some new 12 x 12 papers and two Tim Holtz embossing folders, just cannot wait to play.

Here is a close up of the image
Just look at the concentration on his little face, ohhh bless !!!!! but a perfect little boys image

I am entering this creation into the following challenges
AliFactory - For the boys
Colour Create - lemon, green and white (no charm sorry)
Stampin B's - A song as your inspiration ( 'Great DJ' by The Ting Tings). The chorus is
Imagine all the girls,
Ah ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah.
And the boys,
Ah ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah.
And the strings,
Eee, eee, eee, eee, eee, eee, eee, eee.
And the drums, the drums, the drums, the drums, the drums, the drums, the drums, the drums, the drums, the drums, the drums, the drums.
Creative Craft World - Cute and Cuddly
Cards For Men - Let's Party
Paper playtime - Party Related
and
Polka Doodles - Party Theme (thank you Miria)

I would like to say hello to my new followers lovely to have you sharing my little section of blog land with me, and a quick thank you to all those lovely visitors that have taken the time to leave me such wonderful comments, love them all thank you.....

Well think that is me for this evening
Hugs
Kate 
xx
  

Going All Sentimental over at the Winter Wonderland

Good morning to you all in the land of blog
Today brings some fabulously exciting news from the 


as well as the next challenge details and a new look

Last week Marianne introduced you to the new members of the DT. This week you get to see all of us together prior to us splitting into two teams. 

Also pop back on Sunday to the Winter Wonderland Challenge blog to see the winners, which will now always post on a Sunday.

Our sponsors this week are

Photobucket



Lynne was very kind to provide the design team with some of her fabulous sentiments, the beauty of them is you can print them any size you want.

So onto the challenge, this week's theme is

My Sentiment Exactly

(use a sentiment as your focal point on your card or creation)Don't forget our challenges until mid February can be Christmas or Non Christmas related

So here is my design team inspiration


I used some gorgeous red mirror card, and papers from the Papermania Silent Night Range.  The flowers are from Prima and the little pearls from the Hobby House.  The sentiment is from "Sentiments for You" which I enlarged to show behind an aperture.  The aperture was cut with my new grand nesties on my new grand callibur, adore this piece of equipment and the new sizes.

I am entering this into the following challenges
Crafty Cardmakers - Floral
Stamp Fairy - Circules
Woodware USA - Anything Goes
Christmas Card - Christmas and no colouring
Fab N Funky - use a digi (the sentiment)
Penny's Paper-Crafting - Anything Goes
Stamp Fairy - Circles
Do you Stack Up - Patterns - the holly pattern paper


Hello to all my new followers and thank you to my lovely visitors that take the time to make me smile with their lovely comments

Hugs Kate x









Stampin With the Dragon Fabulous News..................and New Releases

Good morning to you all in the land of blog
Today I am all excited as I get to tell you some exciting new, well if you have not heard it all ready that is :)

Stamping Dragon has gone off on their own and because of this we are having one heck of a Grand Re-opening. What better way to kick off our celebration but, to offer everyone a free image. You can find it here  but, remember it will only be available for this week. So, hurry up and get it before it’s gone. 


Now, if you don’t think that’s good enough how about if you spend over $5 in the store you will get a chance to win a $5 gift certificate
COOLl! BUT WAIT! There is more. 

What about a special blog hop for you. All you will have to do is hop from one Design Team’s blog to the next. Write down the question that you will see and hop onto the next blog and do the same. A hint for you all……all the answers will be found on our store website,http://dragonslairdesigns.com/shop/ . When you have all the answers to the 7 questions please email your answers with your name and email address to scrappy0126@gmail.com . A winner will be announced on our Challenge blog, http://stampingwithdragon.blogspot.com/, the 4th of Feb. 

Also, keep your eyes out because you will never know who will be offering candy on their blogs. YEP….more good stuff!!! 



Now if you arrived here from Anne's blog then your on the right track.  If you didn't start from the beginning of the hop then please click here (http://stampingdragondesigns.blogspot.com/) to Janette’s blog for question number 1.

so here is question 6 -  How many card samples are under Rupert's Wedding?

Now that you have the question please hop on over to Carolynne's blog for question number 7,  http://carolynnesblog.blogspot.com/ 

There are also new releases in the store today,

Here is one of the new release images

and here is the rest of the card
The image is called Rupert's Friend and can be purchased at Dragon's Lair Designs Shop
The base layer and contrast for this card is mint green with some gorgeous papers from my stash.  The deeper apple green has been punched around the page with the MS daisy punch with the image framed with the mint placed on top of it.  I have used Tim Holtz tattered rose to distress and over stamp the image plate. Little pearls from the Hobby House are in the centre of each daisy. The sentiment is MSE.

You will find candy attached to this blog hop question, so make sure you mail your answers correctly to be in with a chance of winning these delicious goodies

So Carolynne  http://carolynnesblog.blogspot.com/  is waiting for your visit, so pop over now and have fun as we sure are

I am entering this gorgeous new imaged creation into the following challenges too
Crafty Purple Frog - Distressing
Crafty Sentiments - Your Favourite thing (currently the new images from Dragon's Lair Designs
Moving Along With The Times - Spring - all the pink flowers and butterflies

Hugs Kate x

Thursday, 27 January 2011

New Release from the Secret Crafter for Manga Lovers

Good morning to you all in the land of blog
Just had to show you this new release, it is simply adorable as is the other new digi stamp at the Secret Crafter shop my interpretation of that one will follow shortly.
This image is called "Dreamy Girl" and is currently only available as a digi, but I am sure the clear polymer will follow shortly.  The digi price is only £2.99. Don't forget these images are unique to the Secret Crafter shop (see the link on my side bar) and not available anywhere else.

Here is a close up of the image in all it's glory
Oh just perfect for all of those young ladies dreaming of that guy that passes by the window every day ......... it must be love ........................

Here is what I created immediately that I got this image
I have coloured her with copics and used a clear glitter sakuro pen for that extra sparkle as well as some stickles platinum around all of the designer papers.  The over stamping on the image plate is from a gorgeous Crafty Individuals set, feel that I will be using this an awful lot.  The sentiment is MSE and the roses from a local craft store as is the bow.

I am entering this creation into the following challenges
Fab N Funky - Use a digi
Freshly Brewed - photo inspirational
Pixie Cottage - Sketch and/or Flowers - I went with a whole bouquet of flowers
Bearly Mine - Recipe 3 flowers, 2 dp and 1 image
Top Tip Tuesday - Fabulous Flowers
Pink Elephant - Red, Brown and Pink
Paper Sundaes - distressing
Copic Creations - Something New and copics (the image)

thank you to all my lovely followers and those that leave me such lovely and inspiring comments, I love them all
Hugs 
Kate
xx

Wednesday, 26 January 2011

Fabulous Little Critters

Good evening to you all in the land of blog
Just a quick post this evening, because if you saw what the post lady dropped through my door below then you will understand the need to ink up immediately and create something gorgeously cute :)

So with out too much of a do

Here is my first creation with my new little critter stamps
Base layer and contrast is some dark green hammered card from the Hobby House, layered with some of the green and yellow Papermania Capsule Mono collection papers.  The doily punch has been used on the centre strip and some lovely lace underneath this .  The central ribbon, tag ribbon and bow are from the green Papermania collection.  The outer frame of the image is a Marianne Creatable die and the centre circle is a grand circle (the smallest one), the sentiment tag is a spellbinders one.  The little green brads are from the Hobby House and the little pearls are too.  Please notice the full colour selection from one pack gradienting to lighter towards the image plate.  The image plate has been edged with Tim Holtz distress inks "Mustard Seed"
The image has been coloured with copics

here is a little close up of the image


I used the sketch from Sketch Saturday for the inspiration for this card.

and I am entering it into the following challenges

Cooking It Up with Katie - Borrow a sketch from another challenge, texture (embossing) and use a punch 
Creative Belli - anything beginning with P = Pearls
Creative Craft World - Cute & Cuddly
Penny's Paper-Crafting - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Animal Antics
Sisterhood of Crafters - Anything Goes
A Spoonful of Sugar - Valentine's
Everybody Art Challenge - My favourite thing - my house mouse stamps
Tuesday Throwdown - distressing
Craft Your Passion - Use two patterned papers
Critter Sketch - Distressing and a Circle
Lexi's Creations - Valentines
Stamps R Us - Animals
House Mouse - Embossing

think that is about it today, oh other than to say a lovely welcome to my new follower and thank you to all of you who visit and leave such wonderful comments

Enjoy the rest of your evening

Hugs and Happy Crafting
Kate 
xx

Monday, 24 January 2011

Oh my look what the post lady dropped through my door today ..................

Hi all 

just had to show you these beauties, that dropped through my letter box today

Recently I was very lucky to be selected as a winner at the Rainbow Lady Challenge Blog, the winning gift from the sponsor Joanna Sheen was a £10 gift voucher to spend in her store, thank you to the Cynthia who mailed me to say I had won, as due to my computer being down at the time, I would have missed out on this fabulous opportunity.

to my delight when I went browsing, I spotted my favourite little critters, so just had to put my voucher towards some new ones

take a look at these cuties


Aren't they adorable, cannot wait to ink them up and play

keep your eyes peeled to see how long it takes me

Hugs and Have a lovely evening

Kate xx

Saturday, 22 January 2011

It's A Couple Thing with the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge

Good morning to you all in the land of blog
Today brings the new challenge over at the


and guess what, I chose the theme this week, which is

It's A Couple Thing

As you know I do adore the Secret Crafter Manga images so could not resist using another one.  This one is called Ice Skating Couple and is available in a clear polymer and as a digi from the Secret Crafter, these images are not available any where else and are a great price and beautiful to colour. There are some new released coming soon, so keep watching as they are true stunners.

So here is my design team inspirational piece
The base layer is some turquoise paper with some Papermania Capsule mono collection paper on the top.  I used a doily punch to edge the top layer of the design.  The sentiment on both the image and the main sentiment is by MSE.  I have edged the image plate and the sentiment plate with one of my big juicy blues.  The bow is also a Papermania Capsule mono collection item and the pearls and diamante are from the Hobby House.  The image is coloured in copics with a white gel pen for highlights and the stash essential the sakuro gel clear glitter pen.

I am entering this creation into the following challenges
Freshley Brewed - Love or Valentine Themed
A Spoonful of Sugar - Blue and Green
Crafts and Me - Monochrome
Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes
Pixie Cottage - who do you love

I would also like to thank the lovely people over at Mark's finest papers for selecting me as one of their winners this morning, wow what a boost to your mojo.

I would like to say hello to all my new followers and thank those of my lovely visitors who take their time to leave me such wonderful comments, I love them all
Hugs Kate xx

Friday, 21 January 2011

All Pink and Purple Just for the Winter Wonderland Design Team

Good morning to you all in the land of blog
Today sees the next challenge over at the 

and some very exciting news, so pop over to check out the excitement

The very talented Marianne is hosting the challenge this week and she has chosen the fabulous theme of

Pink and Purple
(that is the only colours allowed other than for hair and skin)

and just a perfect theme for this weeks sponsor  Pink Gems
This took me back to my girlie moments and a softer look to my image too. Here is my design team inspirational piece
The complimenting trim card is silver mirror card, the base papers from a very old stack of papers.  The ribbon new from the Hobby House The image is Gillian Roberts "Eskimo Kisses from Secret Crafter such a cutie and the sentiment is a digi from "Sentiments for You" - now if you like this sentiment make sure you remember to pop back for next week's challenge. I added some silver snowflakes punched out and to the centre of these a purple pearl from the Hobby House. Image edged and stamped with Tim Holtz, Tattered rose again from the Hobby House and the image coloured with copics and a clear glitter sakuro pen

I would like to thank the following challenges for my recent wins
Tuesday Throwdown
Claudia and Company
Rainbow Ladies
and
Crafty Ho's

Don't forget to pop and take a look at the other wonderful creations by my teamies at the WW.

I am entering this into the following challenges

Color Dare #93Regal Rose,Pacific Point and Pink Pirouette
Crafts and Me - Monochrome
Creative Belli - anything beginning with P (Pink)
Freshly Brewed - Love or Valentine's themed
Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Bingo (Ribbon, Glitter/Glimmer, Gems)
Oldie But Goodie - Bright and cheerful
Papertake Weekly - Ribbons and Pearls
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Love is in the air
Lexi's Creations - Say it with love
Cupcake - Photo inspiration
Let's Ink It Up - no digi and anything goes
Copic Creations - copics and anything new (new gorgeous ribbon)
Craft Your Days Away - Anything Goes
Do You Stack Up? - Think Pink
StampInsanity Stamp - monochrome in your favourite colour

Welcome to my new followers and a quick thank you to all of those lovely visitors who make me smile with such inspirational, and humorous at times, comments.

Hugs and Happy Crafting
Kate xx