Party with A Dancing Queen at the Secret Crafter

Good morning to you all in the land of blog

I first would like to apologise for the serious lack of posting, work has been very hectic, I have although managed to just keep on top of my commenting, so as the Matt is working the weekend, and Mike will be busy keeping Hannah amused, that means that after a quick house tidy on Saturday I can play in my craft room, and on Sunday if I get some ironing done, I can play after that too, so looking forward to some me time :)

So today brings us to the next challenge at the

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge

The very talented Francesca has chosen the theme this week of

Inspired By A Song

now don't forget to tell us which song

Now for me this did not take much time to go with the flow, and back to my normal, fussy style.  I chose

ABBA - Dancing Queen, as this image fits it so well, don't you think?

So here is my design team inspirational piece

I have created a very delicate easel card, complimented with some lovely olive green.  The base layer colour and contrast here is a baby pearlescent pink, the papers are Prima from the Hobby House. I have used a grand nestie smaller circle, along with one of the normal sized nesties for the image plate.  I have used an MS daisy punch supported by some tiny little green pearls again from the Hobby House. Marianne creatable swirls are added along with an array of flowers from various sources, local craft store, Wild Orchid and the Hobby House and a little bumble bee charm and that oh so pretty ribbon, again from the Hobby House.  The edges have all been distressed with scissors and the image plate and sentiment plate have been distressed with Olive Green Tim Holtz distress ink and then over stamped with a Prima clear polymer leaf stamp.  Think the sentiment is from Woodware.

I love the funky writing on the sentiment

The image has been coloured in copics and liquid pearls have been added for her necklace.

Please don't forget to hop over and check out the rest of the design teams creations, they are gorgeous

I would like to welcome all my new followers and wish you all well in the 400 follower candy.   For those of you that have not yet entered the 400 follower candy you can do so here, 

I still cannot believe I am at 488 followers, you guys are all amazing thank you,  if you are already follow me please don't forget to put your name in the hat :)

As always and very importantly I would like to say thank you to all my wonderful visitors who take the time to leave such inspirational comments on my blog, allowing me to hop back over to see your own beautiful work. THANK YOU!!

entries to my challenges today are via the fabulous Feline site here is what I found, oh by the way keep an eye out for their hop, have you seen how many sponsors they have, AWESOME!!!!

Aud Sentiments - Sentiment for a Girl

Charisma Cardz - Inspired by a Song

Crafting for all Seasons - Birthday

Kelley Kids - Girlie Girl

Little Red Wagon - Die Cuts

My Mum's Craft Shop - Lots of Layers

Simon Says Stamp - Multifold Card

Your Next Stamp Challenge - Song Inspiration

Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes

Creative Craft - Charming

Top Tip Tuesday - Easel Card 

Tip: If over stamping first a clear stamp is easier and secondly don't forget to vary the depth of colour to make the middle feel further away, you can do this with first generation stamping (the first stamp off the block) second generation stamping (stamping the first stamp on rough paper and then on to the needed location) and even third generation.

House of Gilli - Easel Card with Flowers

Lia Stampz - Birthdays

I Did it Creations - Girlie Girl

Whiff of Joy - Pink and Pearls

Right think that is me, so off to have a quick furtle around the house, say hello to the dust and dog hairs with the hoover and have a quick wipe around in the kitchen, might put a wash load in now and again in between the crafting

Enjoy your weekend everyone

Hugs

Kate xx

Santa Claus is Coming To Town say the Winter Wonderland Design Team

Good morning to you all in the land of blog

Firstly an apology for the lack of commenting on posts other than my DT requirements, time has been short this week, I hope to catch up again at the weekend, although some lucky few I have managed to get too.

Had a hectic week at work, but enjoying the new role, I always work better under pressure, well except where my crafting come into it, then I am also enjoying my relaxing crafting time at the moment too

Today is the new challenge at the

Winter Wonderland

our very talented Miria has chosen the theme this week and a fabulous one too

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

a creation with Santa on it

We have two fabulous sponsors this week

Delicious Doodles

and

Crimson Cloud

A slight change of style for me this week

A very Clean and Simple card for me, using a Whiff of Joy Santa and a Go Kreate die cut.  The base card is a red pearlescent, the white is a plain diamond white.  The little pearls and large pearls from the Hobby House.  The inside matches the front, and not much else to say about this little creation.  Well other than to say he is coloured in copics, the fluffy bits are liquid appliqué and he has been cut out to sit on the embossed panel.

Please don't forget to pop over and see what my other fabulous teamies have created.

I would like to welcome all my new followers and wish you all well in the 400 follower candy.   For those of you that have not yet entered the 400 follower candy you can do so here, 

I still cannot believe I am at 479 followers, you guys are all amazing thank you,  if you are already follow me please don't forget to put your name in the hat :)

As always and very importantly I would like to say thank you to all my wonderful visitors who take the time to leave such inspirational comments on my blog, allowing me to hop back over to see your own beautiful work. THANK YOU!!

Now really not sure if this will fit into many challenges but via the fabulous Feline site here is what I found, oh by the way keep an eye out for their hop, have you seen how many sponsors they have, AWESOME!!!!

Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes

Scrap Creations - Xmas Wishes

Try it on Tuesday - Monochrome

Woodware - Anything Goes

Crafty HaZelnuts - no sentiment

Do You Stack up - Texture

The Rubber Cafe - No DP

Little Red Wagon - Die cut

The Paper Shelter - Embossing

will be linking up at the end of the day, when I get home

enjoy the rest of your day

Hugs Kate xx

The Seasons are Rolling by.......................................

Good morning to you all,

Now I was up really early this morning, not sure why, the body just sort of made me.  Matt has gone to work and from there is going to his fishing match, I do hope he catches loads.


before I move on I would like to thank the ladies at "Sparkles Forum Challenges" for selecting one of my creations for a top three, THANK YOU ladies :)

Yesterday felt a little weird, as I had nothing to post or link!!! but I am enjoying my DT time out, the new role is going well, I think I can see the end of  the tunnel on the pile up of work, it is far in the distance, but a little blue sky is showing through, and I am optimistic that in a couple of months, things will be back to normal :)

Today is looking promising so far the sun is out and the rays are shining into my office, making it feel really warm.  

It is that time, to announce the new challenge at the 

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge

But before we move on, I hope you have already seen the DT call for the Secret Crafter, but if you have not please pop over - you will see the call in the right hand side bar at the top

We are looking for 5 new Design Team Members.  The DT call will close 30th September.

The theme this week has been chosen by the wonderfully talented Bridget

The Colours of Autumn

now although the challenge did not really cause me a problem, what I created did, and although others have said how lovely it is, some how it is not sitting quite right with me, not sure why?  You see I have used one of my favourite critter stamps, maybe it is the papers I have used or the lace, just not sure, but here it is anyway

The base papers are a mustard/yellow, the dp are K & Co, one of my very old 6 x 6 packs but the colours were in the Autumnal theme. I added some lace, now you see looking at it again, did I do this because I think the space needed it or was I trying to hide the papers? The image of course is House Mouse and coloured in copics, now this was a very hard one to colour, so much detail, but loved colouring it.  I added some liquid pearls and could not miss the floral spray out, and there you have it.

Please don't forget to pop over and see what my other fabulous teamies have created.

I would like to welcome all my new followers and wish you all well in the 400 follower candy.   For those of you that have not yet entered the 400 follower candy you can do so here, 

I still cannot believe I am at 472 followers, you guys are all amazing thank you,  if you are already follow me please don't forget to put your name in the hat :)

As always and very importantly I would like to say thank you to all my wonderful visitors who take the time to leave such inspirational comments on my blog, allowing me to hop back over to see your own beautiful work. THANK YOU!!

Now really not sure if this will fit into many challenges but via the fabulous Feline site here is what I found, oh by the way keep an eye out for their hop, have you seen how many sponsors they have, AWESOME!!!!

Fairy Tale Challenge - Flowers and Lace

Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes

Polka Doodles - Autumn Leaves

Poodles Parlour - Animal Antics

Show and Tell - Anything Goes

The Stamp Man - Travel

HeidisHobbystuggu - Fall Colours

So my plans for the rest of the day......................................... well as Mike and Hannah are still in bed and Star has returned to her bed, I feel some crafting coming on, not used my compressor for almost a week, just must go make it feel special again.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend

Hugs

Kate

xx

300 Follower Candy Winner, EXCITING NEWS and Sooooooooo much more

Good evening to you all in the land of blog

wow have I had a great week :)  so relaxing and getting everything organised.  But before I move on to all the exciting stuff - I got to show you this

Sam went shopping with Maz on Tuesday, to Tilly's who has now got 60% off everything, so I asked Sam if she would buy all of the remaining House Mouse stamps for me, so this collection cost me all of £30, thrilled and cannot thank Sam and her able assistant Maz enough, for getting them for me - should have cost me £80 whoop whoop!!!!!!! don't you just love a bargain. Cannot wait to use them, although one of these will be in my next candy as it is one I have from another set...........

Oh that reminds me my Candy, no honest I did not forget

well Mr Random was activated and he chose

Number 124, 

congratulations 

Mazza, 

if you would like to send me your snail mail details, I will get this posted on Saturday for you.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED and hope you all stay around for the 400 candy :)

I am shopping on the way home tomorrow from work for my 400 follower candy so will post this shortly

Now to those of you who have been so patient with my teasing, my exciting news

I have been selected by the fabulously talented Deb to join 

The Emerald Faerie Garden Design Team

Thank you Deb, I look forward to working with you all and in particular the ladies on Team B, which I will be joining :)

cannot wait till tomorrow to add all the new badges to my blog, thrilled to bits and adore these images, do pop over to the challenge blog and take a look round, join us and play along with the challenges, look forward to coming to see all your lovely work.

After all that this might seem a little dull, but maybe the images might brighten it up for you

Today I have created something just for me, yes I know this is not the norm, but intend to do more of this in the future, so relaxing.

So what have I created, well on Saturday before the pint got thrown over me (by accident) Matt said to me, you have made a card haven't you?, well think I did but then sold it, so had to quickly locate an alternative, phew................so in preparation for the next wedding, I made a wedding card

It is a while since I did a tilted easel card too. Think it looks as if I have been drinking as the image is angled too :)  The image is by Sugar Nellie and I have to say one never inked till this time, although I have had it a while.  The base layer is black pearlescent card, layered with Papermania Capsule Collection Mono papers.  The front sentiment is from My Sentiment Exactly the inner one I cannot remember.  The image and both sentiments have been air brushed with C3 from the cool greys.  The flowers are all from Wild Orchid, diamond stickles has been added for that extra sparkle.  The flourishes of diamanté are Prima from the Hobby House.  The edge punch is an MS hearts, the black ribbon added and a double bow to hold the easel in place.

I followed the sketch at 

but rotated it to fit the image size.

Here are some close ups

The flowers glittering in the top right hand corner

The flowers on the return

and the all important image.  This image has in the main been coloured in warm greys the darker grey W7, W5 and W3 whilst the lighter warm greys to contrast W3, W2, W1.  Her dress has also been lightly touched with the cool greys C2, C1 and C0.  A clear glitter Atyou Spika pen has covered her dress and the veil for a very fine shimmer.  G82 for the foliage and a pink Atyou Spika glitter pen for the tiny flowers.  Skin tones are E11, E000 and E00. A monochromatic creation.

I hope you like it

I would like to say thank you to all my wonderful followers for all their fabulous comments, thank you for taking the time to follow and comment on my creations, it means so much at the end of a hard day :)

I would like to enter this creation into the following challenges

Papertake Weekly - Sketch

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes and a fab blog hop

Simon Says Stamp and Show - Anything Goes and a combined fab blog hop

Bearly Mine - Flowers Flowers Flowers

Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes

Deep Ocean - Hearts

Oldie But A Goodie - stamp that is 6 months old and glitter

Party Time Tuesday - Anything Goes

Bunny Zoe's - Easel Card

Daisy Doodles Creative Challenge - Anything Goes

House of Gilli - Easel Card with flowers

Kaboodle Doodles - Easel Cards

Stamps R Us - Anything Goes

thank you

Enjoy the rest of your week

Hugs

Kate

xx

300 Follower Candy

Good morning to you all in the land of blog

Today I get to say thank you to all of my followers old and new, if you did not see who won the last candy, please scroll down.

I am celebrating my 300 followers, I know we are nearly 400 and I am thrilled to bits, it would be lovely to get 300 entrants.  This time I have gone for a delicious Black and White!! themed candy.

1 x A4 Papermania Capsule Mono Paper Stack in the Black/Whites
2 metres of black ribbon
1 sprig of flowers
1 pack of black/silver/white pearls
1 Molly Bloom image
1 packet of black feathers
2 co ordinating XCut punches

To enter my 300 followers candy the usual rules apply, 

you must be a follower of my blog to win the candy as it is a thank you for one of you, 

remember to place the photo on your sidebar and please only enter once to make it fair on everyone. 

Mr Random will choose the winner after checking the above criteria has been met, so leave your link with him 

This candy will remain open until the the 

31st August at 8pm

This post will remain at the top of my blog until the end of the candy, so please see below for newer posts

Hugs 

Kate

xx

Something is A Little Fishy Around here

Good evening to you all in the land of blog

I am sat here a little dryer than I was a little earlier this evening, Matt and I went to a Wedding Evening Reception, started off with a double whisky (now this tasted and smelt like TCP) so did not finish that one.  Moved onto a Bailey's that went down nicely and then started on the Crabbies...................now I do have a thing for Crabbies at the moment, so refreshing...................... however the evening suddenly turned a little damp as the father in law side swiped his pint of Tetley and I took an ice cold shower.......................thank heavens for hand driers and wow I have the most amazing new perfume so the husband says :(

The dress is in the sink soaking and I am now nice and non sticky and smelling sweet again :)

Now I have that off my chest, I would like to show you a piece that I created for Our Vintage Affair, prior to the temporary closing of the site, now don't forget the site will remain open for you to view and obtain inspiration, and I am sure will be back soon, so do keep an eye out for it's return.

So this was the piece that I created, it is a layout and I had so much fun with Matt, you will see why

I woke up one afternoon on my holiday week, with an idea in my head, and went up to the Beach Hut to put it together, whilst having a coffee to wake up with Matt, I mentioned that I needed some fishing items, some floats etc., and then had to explain why, so this time it was not me, he went half way down the stairs with my pliers and snipped another top off my twirly twigs and came back with it.  He then took my garden twine and made a rod handle, he asked me to spray it with the copic air compressor.  He then got some wire out and asked me for my tent peg I asked him why and he said to make rod eyes, so I provided him with some jump rings.  He said well stick them on then, so I did.  He allowed me to have some real fishing line and hey presto one fabulous fishing rod.  It needed a float though so I took one of the tiny stamen from a flower bunch and coloured the tip red and added this (you can see it just above the photograph).  Matt then set about making me a fishing basket, he took a dolls house garden basket and cut it down to a single piece and then he patiently threaded the garden twine through it providing me with a little basket.  Now all I was short was a keep net, I made this out of my metal ribbon and then sprayed it with copic W7.  Matt made the little net and I sprayed it and added the little fish. Matt wanted to make a real for the rod, so I located a button, a spacer and he made the handle by wrapping some craft wire around the tent peg, all done and ready to go.  Well just the presenting of it really, and the addition of flowers and here you go bull rushes.  The bull rushes were made from cocktail sticks, fine flower soft and a spray of copic E29.

Here are some close ups

Isn't it lovely when you can create and enjoy yourself with the hubby, he is awesome, so many times I have ideas but they are in my head and I need a little help to bring them to life, he does it so well

I would like to welcome all my new followers and wish you all well in the 300 follower candy.   For those of you that have not yet entered the 300 follower candy you can do so here, thank you to Feline for now advertising my candy too. 

Totally awesome I cannot believe I am at 460 followers, you guys are all amazing thank you, 205 entrants and slowly getting to the 300 entrant mark................but still need another 95 entrants, so if you are already follow me please don't forget to put your name in the hat :)

As always and very importantly I would like to say thank you to all my wonderful visitors who take the time to leave such inspirational comments on my blog, allowing me to hop back over to see your own beautiful work. THANK YOU!!

I would like to enter this piece into the following challenges

I did it Creations - Nature

Lasting Memories - Who or what has inspired you (my hubby)

2 Sisters - Boyz and their Toyz

Challenge up Your Life - Something for a Man

Just Some Lines - Anything But a Card

Scrap It Girl - Material

Sugar Creak Hollow - Make it Masculine

Mad for Markers - Make a Scene

Hugs and enjoy the rest of your evening

Kate

xx

The Night Sky and a little Faerie Magic

Good evening to you all in the land of blog

Phew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to say that the shopping got done just in time this morning, we just got back in the door when the heavens opened, it came down that fast that the road flooded within minutes, followed by the thunder and lighting. Although it was nice to sit and play in the Beach Hut and create, knowing I was warm and dry.

So what have I been playing with? I have sort of found some new images that I adore and have already created one card using them, well a short while ago The Emerald Faerie Garden Shop released another oh so fabulous image that I just had to have a play with it.  She is called Isabella and can be purchased here as a digi.  I also used some of the sentiments this one is from the Faerie Drop Sentiments digi set.  Do pop and take a peek in the shop there are some gorgeous images and so much more, a real treat :)

I have been playing with my graphics package so I have merged three images into one and erased some areas to meet my requirements, love doing this, it means I get exactly what I want at the size I want.  Now I did print this one out twice, so I could airbrush some background.

A couple of nights ago, Matt and I were watching the sky whilst grabbing some fresh air with our coffee's.  The sky was pale blue, but with the most amazing pink clouds, it was oh so pretty and I just had to try airbrush the vision and it just seemed to fit this image perfectly.

so with out further a do and more of my awful waffling here is what I created. 

This is an 8" Square or as I like to call it a Grand card.  The base layer and contrast colour is black.  The top papers are from the Papermania Capsule Mono collection the pink one.  I have used the MS heart edge punch to create a base for some lovely frilly lace from Grimsby Crafts and then added the black ribbon and created another double bow on my bow maker to add to the centre.  The pearls are from the Hobby House, although you will not find them in these colours, as these have been air brushed using BG01.  The flowers are all Wild Orchid and all of these were purchased in white and have been airbrushed with V01.  The leaves are nestie dies.  The image plate circle has been presented on a Marianne die and the circle itself is the smaller of the grand nestie circles.  All paper edges have been distressed with scissors and then diamond stickles added.  Stickles has also been added to the flowers, well it is a magical scene so needed it.

I hope you can see the air brushed blue and pink sky which, in real life, looks so pretty, will definitely be doing this again.

I would like to welcome all my new followers and wish you all well in the 300 follower candy.   For those of you that have not yet entered the 300 follower candy you can do so here, thank you to Feline for now advertising my candy too. 

Totally awesome I cannot believe I am at 459 followers, you guys are all amazing thank you, 202 entrants and slowly getting to the 300 entrant mark................but still need another 98 entrants, so if you are already follow me please don't forget to put your name in the hat :)

As always and very importantly I would like to say thank you to all my wonderful visitors who take the time to leave such inspirational comments on my blog, allowing me to hop back over to see your own beautiful work. THANK YOU!! ............. the catch up is going well, and I am sure that over the weekend, I will get around to all your wonderful blogs........

I would like to enter this creation into the following challenges

Card Makin Mamas - Pink

Cuddly Buddly - Say Something Nice

Jellypark - punches/ die cuts

Sew Many Cards - Use an Edge punch

Charisma Cardz - glitter it

Make it Colourful - Sunsets with Clouds

right must go make some food, think hot garlic pork supremes, with steamed new potatoes and a leafy salad is what I fancy, followed by some vanilla ice cream with mini marshmallows and strawberry syrup,  so off to create in a different way

enjoy your evening 

Hugs

Kate

xx

"Splashing Out" with the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge

Good morning to you all in the land of blog

Today sees the next challenge at the

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge

with the very Talented Andie selecting the challenge theme of

In The Sea

what a fabulous them don't you think? I did and really enjoyed playing with this one.

Don't forget that this is the last chance to be in this months draw for the wonderful prize offered by 

The Stamping Boutique

So what did I create for my design team inspirational piece

I created a card to inspire someone, using a fabulous fantasy art image from Sweet Pea Stamps

The base layer and contrast colour is a cheerful yellow and the papers are in Aqua's for the sea and they are from the Papermania Capsule Mono Collection.  Where else do I start.  Marianne dies used for the sea fronds and the flowers in the main from Wild Orchid. The cheesecloth pulled and laid under the image and layers to look like the crests of the waves.  With a little fish caught up in the netting at the top and the boat wheel also hid in the netting. The corners are punched with an MS corner punch and the little pearls from the Hobby House.

Think I thought I was creating a scrap layout, with so much going on.

Some close ups

The ships wheel charm

The little fish charm

The flowers which have been gently kissed by the waves of glitter, icicle stickles

and the oh so important image coloured in copics.

Now please do not forget to hop over to the challenge site, to see the rest of the Design Team's fabulous inspirational pieces

I would like to welcome all my new followers and wish you all well in the 300 follower candy.   For those of you that have not yet entered the 300 follower candy you can do so here, thank you to Feline for now advertising my candy too. 

Totally awesome I cannot believe I am at 455 followers, you guys are all amazing thank you, 200 entrants and slowly getting to the 300 entrant mark................but still need another 100 entrants, so if you are already follow me please don't forget to put your name in the hat :)

As always and very importantly I would like to say thank you to all my wonderful visitors who take the time to leave such inspirational comments on my blog, allowing me to hop back over to see your own beautiful work. THANK YOU!! ............. the catch up is going well, and I am sure that over the weekend, I will get around to all your wonderful blogs........

I would like to enter this creation into the following challenges

Sweet Pea Stampers - Sexy

Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes

Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Flowers

Crazy Amigo Challenge - Mermaid

Papertake Weekly - Dies to Die for

Tuesday Throwdown - Dimension and Texture

Squigglefly - Water

Kenny K - Lots of Layers

Order of the Opus Gluei - Sea

Marianne's Design Divas - Anything Goes

Copic Creations - Blue Green BG

Mad for Markers - Make a Scene

I am feeling that I am neglecting my air brushing compressor, not touched it all week, so after the quick shop (it will be very quick) would have done it yesterday but may have mistaken the shopping for a swimming lesson!!!! I will be heading up to play on my secret, so sorry you just know I love teasing you all

Hugs and Enjoy your extended weekend, and thoughts and prayers for those who currently are experiences the worst that the weather has to offer

Kate

xx