Mucky Paws

Grungy day

2012-02-12T17:22:00.000Z

Hi Peeps
I most definitely have mucky paws today ha ha
Had a bit of a grunge fest ....

The following are Steve's grungy Valentines card and a spare ... well you never know tee hee !

The image is Twinkie from Stampotiques, it makes me smile every time :) just stamped embossed and coloured with DI's.

I distressed a piece of glossy black card, patted Versamark through sequin waste and then used it to reverse the pattern and then heat embossed with copper powder.
Used a little white Acrylic paint on the bottom of a glue tub to make the rings, the heart stamp was the freebie from Craft Stamper just stamped on different papers n colours, a bit of pre printed tape I think I got from Fruit Pixie and the text is a freebie font just grunged a little.

The image on this card is in the Punky Romance set from Chocolate Baroque.
I stamped the wings into lightweight black clay and coloured up with Inka Gold.
Then stamped the whole image onto white card with red DI and embossed clear, then coloured with black soot DI, then cut out,. then one layer of UTEE.
All mounted on an embossed brick background

The sentiment is from CB Words of Wisdom sheet

Be Good
Kath xx

Hello All

2012-02-05T11:52:00.000Z

Hi Peeps, sorry I've not been around but with starting back at work (albeit part time) and house renovations and life in general I've been very busy this year ha ha I know no excuse :)

Anyway here's a couple of makes from two new stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque, I'm grabbing a couple of hours play whilst Steve clears the paths and the cars of snow .........we've had a good 4-5 inches here but the main roads are clear so that's good.

This one is using a stamp from the Wisteria Lane set. I masked of a square of A5 silk card, brayered across with the brown end of Foliage Big N Juicy, stamped the wisteria stamp off the frame and stamped a sentiment from CB Loving Sentiments set and then just mat and layered a tiny gold layer and a bronzy red layer. Very simple but effective.

Here I stamped the image from the Punky Romance set onto cream card stock, coloured with Tombow markers, added my usual highlights with glossy accents, I coloured the edge with a touch of Mustard seed and Spiced Marmalade DI's and layered on an orange piece of coredinations, distressed of course.

Hope your all warm and cosy with this horrid weather.

Be Good
Kath xx

Hello 2012

2012-01-10T07:55:00.002Z

Hi peepsJust a quick hello and a happy new year wish, hope we all have a better year a well one and a happy one and if last year was good to you may it continue. Back at work part time woo hoo, day off today so I'm off to play with my new goodies. Laters!Be goodKath xx

Eureka!

2011-12-18T07:25:00.001Z

Morning Peeps

So guess who took the wrong pills at bed time and has been up all night jittering (Kath has her hand up)

Anyway ....boredom.... then craftiness kicked in ........went and had a hop around..... popped over to Sue Wilsons Blog and then had my Eureka moment !

So your turn ...hands up who saves all their bits of 'holes' when they die-cut..... as we all know we will use them for stencilling or something eventually ha ha !

So out came the box and I've made the below with scraps of card/paper and 'holes' . Thank you Sue!

Another tip while I'm on a roll, two black card stocks slightly off shade from each other ....quick rub over with Black Soot DI and no one will notice ....or am I too fussy ha ha

This is a definite Sue style card

One Labels 16 hole, a piece of Papermania mono paper, a Crealies flower die and foliage die, a CB sentiment stamp and some gems and Ta Dah

This is more my usually shabby style

A bit of core'dinations card, a hole from Iron work motifs, a circle hole, another Crealies flower cut from TH glassine paper, a brass button and four brads.

Right I'm off for warm milk and honey and hopefully a nap x

Be good
Kath x

Hubbys christmas card .... finally

2011-12-17T10:10:00.000Z

Hi Peeps

Is it just me who struggles with men's cards? Steve is hard work as he doesn't do footy or golf or the such and I don't think a card featuring beer and pies would really get the Christmas sentiment across ha ha

So with a little help from Tim Holtz I managed the card below .....finally !

. Just a quick description .... all text was done on serif with free fonts I have found. Main back ground is core'dinations card, music paper is from my stash from a pack last yr, leaves are a mix of stamped and cut out or die cuts from TH with a pine cone. Main Santa stamp was stamped, embossed on parchment and white highlighted with picket fence distress stains, frame from some card packaging painted with distressed crackle tarnished brass and a bit of walnut DI once dry.

Hope you all have a fabby Christmas

Be good

Kath x

Guest blogger for a White Christmas

2011-11-30T18:40:00.001Z

Hi peeps

My lovely fellow Chocolate Baroqueian, Sheila, is guest posting today. Pop over to Glenda's blog and see whats what. Take it away Sheila......

I stamped a small CB Holly Swirl in Adirondack Snow Cap white randomly over the tag and embossed it with clear powder; when the ink was dry I covered the tag with Antique Linen Distress Ink then stamped it with a CB Christmas Sentiment using Versafine Vintage Sepia.

The tree is from the Madonna of the trees theme plate.I stamped it with Versafine Olympia Green to get a good, sharp impression,embossed it with white Wow powder, coloured in between the branches with Shabby Shutters D I and glued it to the tag.

I made the flower from CB pointelle lace,white wired ribbon and a small burgundy rose,attaching the flower and silver branches with a strong brad, and using Glossy Accents to secure the rose and the other branches. I attached a strip of pointelle lace to the bottom of the tag with dst.

As a finishing touch I dabbed the tag with Icicle Stickles ,covered a small tree embellishment withAdirondack Snow Cap ,embossed it with white powder,attached it to the tag and added a white ribbon.

Sheila xx

(And stunning it is too x x x ... Kath)

Happy Monday!

2011-11-28T16:03:00.001Z

Hello Peeps

Been a bit out of sorts this week so not really done much ........ Been having new windows so house upside down freezy cold and I've been a tad grumpy cause of my stupid hands !

Mainly been making a mess playing with paints and stuff to make backgrounds and flowers, my stamping mojo seems to be having a rest ha ha.

Just a couple of makes below using Paper Artsy stamps.

The stamps are from Buttons 6 and the dress form etc are Tim Holtz die cuts. I just stamped the frayed edge stamp down the card and embossed with TH frayed burlap DP (seemed fitting). Matted a distressed piece of Core'dinations. Added DI'ed dress form, reel (wrapped in black hemp cord) and buttons. Then just highlighted the word 'Tailor' with Glossy Accents.

This is made up of a couple of backgrounds I was making a mess with. The stamps are off the One Penny 2 plate

The black background was a piece of matt gold mirri which I covered in black acrylic paint and then used a tool I got with some paint once, which gives a wood grain effect.... I was quite pleased with the results. The pinky beige background is just odd strips of paper glued to card then gesso'ed over. I inked the edges with DI and smudged ink around the lady with a paper stump. I just added a flower made from the lace that goes across the card.

Be Good
Kath xx

Making Christmas presents

2011-11-22T09:35:00.001Z

Hi Peeps

Just thought I would share some makes ........ being stuck in most of the time no fun, so at least everyone has something personal now .......... Everything else has been bought over the interweb !

Who said Xmas shopping was stressful ha ha

Stamped on tissue paper with CB Wild Meadow stamps, bit of heat with heat tool, bit of ribbon and a grunge paper rose.

Memory wire and assorted green beads.

Crochet SP wire with black and clear crackle beads and a few drop beads.

Macrame bracelets with hemp cord and wooden beads and silk cord with metal beads.

Memory wire with assorted pink chips and beads

Sorry some of the photos are a bit dark haven't found my camera since we moved so have to use my phone (all bracelets were photographed lying on my Ipad how cool is that, makes them look brill ha ha)

Be Good

Kath xx

White Christmas

2011-11-22T09:00:00.001Z

Hi Peeps

I've been very busy making things for presents but Glenda at Chocolate Baroque is sponsoring a challenge so I thought I would join in and have a break from jewelry and candles.

This is made using black,silver and white card.
Background is white stamped with holly stamp from CB Christmas Flourish set and sprayed with silver bells glimmer mist. The square is cut with a Nesti from matt silver card, stamped again with a stamp from CB CF set. I added a 'snowflake' from the shapeabilities Iron Work Motifs set. The bauble from CB Stained Glass Christmas, is stamped and embossed in silver, coloured with white glaze then over glazed with glossy accents then just added a silver ribbon and bow and sentiment. Ta Da.

Be Good
Kath x

Lazy Sundays

2011-11-06T14:50:00.003Z

Hi Peeps
Had a very lazy day to day, spent mainly crafting.

I was chuffed this week to have one of my cards posted on Papermoods . Thanks again Fab.

Made quite a few cards today. Just thought I would share a couple before I start lunch.

These are some leaf stamps I was given quite a while ago and I'm afraid I don't know the brand, I just stamped embossed and coloured using DI's, then cut out, and added a sentiment (A Sheena Douglass one)

This is a Crafty Individuals image from miniature people and places mounted on brown card. I've used a piece of coredinations and distressed the edges, cream card stock coloured with DI's and stamped with a Inkidinkido flourish, a Nestie shape, a piece of Choc Baroque backing paper, a flower made from Tim Holtz tattered flower die cuts which I coloured-then stamped and embossed and added a little button. Also added a bit of fluffy wool.
This Is a Stampington stamp I have just acquired, Elegant Poppies, simply stamped with Vintage photo DI and mounted on a piece of script embossed coredinations which I then sanded, then I just added 3 gems which I coloured with a brown promarker.

Right I'm off to do my cheese sauce......... I'm famished ha ha

Be Good

Kath xx

Less is more - week 38 - Star

2011-11-01T13:31:00.000Z

Hi Peeps
This weeks Less is more challenge theme is STAR.

I've simply stamped a Choc B sentiment and a Tim Holtz star and added glossy accents

Go over and have a look there is some lovely entries this week :)
Be good
Kath xx

Happy All Hallows Eve

2011-10-31T18:54:00.000Z

Hallow Peeps

We were going to hide from the trick or treaters but I felt mean so i open a tin of Roses took the good one out and we've been giving the kids all the yucky cream ones ha ha. Will try to be more prepared next year

I made a little Tag to get into the spirit :)

Right I'm off to eat all the yummy Purple sweets ha ha
Be Good
Kath xx

Filigree fusion & Fat Robin! Tee Hee

2011-10-27T16:18:00.000+01:00

Hi Peeps

I bought two new stamp sets this week from Chocolate Baroque.........(and a matching CD. Shush dont tell hubby ha ha)

I stupidly didn't realise the huge size of one of the stamps and so can't play properly untill my new 6x6 block comes, I tried laying card over the stamp and brayering but not brill results, (sulky face) But of course I managed to make a few others to ease my pain ha ha.

This stamp set has been on my wish list a long time and I think it's going to be a fav :)
Filigree Fusion from CB ('Im whispering' matching CD available)

All the images were stamped using different tecniques, one was guilded, one embossed and the large background stamp just stamped in brown Stazon and a few bits highlighted, a couple of mosaic tiles and a sentiment. The ink over pearlised card makes it quite soft and muted, I quite like the look.

These images are from the Fat Robin set from CB, stamped with Vintage Sepia Versafine and coloured using DI's and a touch of green H2O's, bit of ribbon Ta Da The photo is a bit dark im blaming my phone! looks really twinkly on my desk.

The stamps used here are again from CB and are the Wild Meadow Set, the backing paper is off the CB Essence of Nature CD. Simple mat and layering, bit of a doodle scribble line and a bronzy ribbon to match the bronze mat. This is one of my 'use up some scraps' card. Isn't it funny what you can do with all them bits !

Be Good
Kath xxx

Happy Friday!

2011-10-21T18:03:00.000+01:00

Hi Peeps
I was doing my usual blog hop last night and came across some fabby cards......... Ive left comments but as I read they all gave credit to Paula Pascual, go have a nosy at her blog she does some very pretty cards etc.

Anyway (don't i say that a lot ha ha) ........ I had a go at a Gap Card, fabby idea ...

Just a plain black card with Tim Holtz cog die cuts coloured with DI's and a touch of Inka Gold and an embossed sentiment. A bit fiddly but got there in the end!

Be good
Kath xx

Just a note ......

2011-10-21T09:44:00.000+01:00

Hi peeps as some of you may have noticed I've been around quite alot lately, mainly because I've been a bit poorly and had a couple of weeks off work.

I'm not one for sharing my private life with the world but as a few forum friends have asked why I'm doing random posts during the day and have expressed concern I thought I had better spill.

Here goes ... After a lot of prodding, poking, blood tests, X-rays and visits to a consultant I have been diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis and I'm waiting on further test results to confirm which one - indications are pointing at rheumatoid arthritis but they won't commit yet! We seem to have the inflammation under control, but struggling a bit with the pain. Phew done!

I'm feeling ok about it and am doing my utmost to keep a positive mental attitude most days. I am going to have to slow down a bit and make some lifestyle changes regarding work and recreation but I am making the most of the time off by crafting and creating.

Right that's enough ..... Off to make casserole and do a bit of crafting while my hands are okay plus I've a challenge to do

Be good
Kath xx

Less is more - week 37

2011-10-19T17:04:00.001+01:00

I'm afraid my second go at the less is more challenge is a bit pants ha ha

First thing that popped I'm my head when I saw the word Cocktail was MOJITO not that I'm partial to a few or anything ha ha but then that was it........... mind blank

Anyway least Ive had a go eh !

Below is my cocktail Mmmm not sure about the quanties but the mix is right ha ha
You Are Made Of Silliness, Friendship, and Compassion

3 parts Silliness
2 parts Friendship
1 part Compassion

And a Splash of Talent
Finish off with an olive

What's the Recipe for Your Personality?

Please note this is my second post today so please visit my blog

Kath x

Less is more challenge

2011-10-11T13:31:00.000+01:00

As you all know I'm not normally one for entering a lot of challenges but this one drew my attention as I do find it hard to do do clean and simple ha ha

Anyway here's my first go at the simply less is more challenge

Mock brown paper card stock stamped with Choc Baroque heart from the Harlequin Rose sheet and a sentiment from CB WIGL set, bit of DI fired brick and that's it ?

Just got to figure out the link thingy now ha ha

Be Good

Kath x

Free Template

2011-10-11T11:56:00.000+01:00

Hi Peeps

If you're like me and you blog hop sometimes for inspiration you might like this ...........

I was looking for some simple fold ideas and came across a different tri-fold template, unfortunately it was using 12 x12 card stock, which I don't have a lot of, as I prefer A4 size, anyway made my own template IN CM's that folds nicely into a A6 size (well just under)........... see my make below

I used some plain white card stock for my base and just covered it with Christmas papers from the Chocolate Baroque Seasons Greetings CD and used a couple of stamps from the CB Christmas Flourish stamp set, a bit of Glamour dust et voila a simple Xmas card, Im gonna have a play this aft and make a few more :)

Ive posted a copy of the template below, its not to scale but its dead easy and makes a lovely card .... If you take a copy I would be grateful of a mention or comment!

Zig Zag Template

Be good

Kath x

Rainy Days

2011-10-07T17:25:00.002+01:00

Hi Peeps.....Just a couple of recent makes to share with you... I seem to be in vintage mode at the moment ?

This is a Crafty Individuals stamp stamped randomly over the card base with Versafine sepia. I'm sure there is a posh word for stamping then stamping again without re inking but anyway that's what I did for the background. The flower and leaves are Crealies and made of brown paper as is the mat and the 'runner'. I stamped the image onto cream card then roughed the edges with my scalpel and generally tried to make it look aged/tatty then applied vintage photo DI. Oh also coloured with DI's.

This is a Sheena Douglas stamp from the poppies and daisies set. I made a master sheet on A4 card using DI's, Chalk eyes, sequin waste and a Viva Decor script stamp but used a mask to cover the stamped daisy's before hand. The daisy's are coloured with a touch of DI's and my inkssentials white pen. I then just made a standard easel card and matted and layered my design on to it with a bit of ribbon and a sentiment from a Choc Baroque set (sorry forgot which as I keep all my sentiments together) Then I added a gold painted wooden butterfly

This is a Kanban stamp from the Steam punk range. I stamped the base card with a Viva Decor flourish. Used a scrap of patterned velum I found. Cut a large a Nesti which I coloured with DI's, and coloured the dress with the same, I think it was tattered rose, then I added a bit of sparkle with a Sakura pen. Finally added a pink flower

This is a Crafty Individuals stamp which I coloured with vintage photo DI and Inka Gold, then mounted on black card. All the die cuts are spellbinders (iron works and picot edge circles) which I coloured with black soot DI and then rubbed Inka Gold over to give them the aged metal look. The backing paper is a CB one, from Essence of Nature CD and the sentiment is a Tim Holtz

And last but not least look who found his way into the clean laundry basket............. I put it up on the dining table then the monsters wouldn't sit in it and the cheeky thing has the audacity to hiss at me when I went to shoo him out...........Smacked legs and sent to bed early before he gets in the habit.... Cute though ha ha.

Be Good

Kath xx

Toni

2011-09-14T17:44:00.000+01:00

Had to share this ...........little love is shattered .......... its was hard work trashing my ribbon box !!!!

Finally posting some makes !

2011-09-09T10:42:00.001+01:00

Hi Peeps

Yes I know its been a while but PC probs etc ..............anyway Ive got it all sorted and Ta Daa some makes.

Not 100% about a couple, its like they have something missing ?? But have a look maybe you have some ideas :)

I'm still getting to grips with Steam punk love the look but need more stash :)
This is Chocolate Baroque Edwardian Gents stamps with CB Steam punk Xmas cogs embossed, a few Shapeability die cuts and a bit of Tim Holtz glassine paper that I rubbed over a glimmer screen stencil, think it could do with being a little busier ??

This is scrumpled tissue stamped with a Viva decor script stamp, stuck to card. Then CB Fantasic Florals stamped and coloured with distress inks and cut out, and the butterflies/flowers highlighted with glossy accents

This stamp is a fav of mine just love the grungy gothy style of Stampotiques stamps :) and a Tim Holtz sentiment with a drip drop embossed back ground. I recently discovered Ranger's embossing antiquities which I love and give a nice matt embossed look without looking to distressed

I dont know why this wont load the right way up but hey ho ha ha
Tim Holtz die cuts grunged up with distress inks and distress embossing on a green rose background stamped with a viva decor swirl stamp, flower added and matching box for a friends mum
Managed with pokey tool and patience to get the flourish die cut to weave in and out the bird cage

Be good

Kath x

A new addition

2011-09-09T09:26:00.001+01:00

Ladies and Gentlemen introducing the new addition to our furry family "Toni"

She/He's soooo cute and doing very well ............. 5 weeks old and trying kitten food, albeit from the middle of the dish ha ha

Got lots of makes to upload .........

Be good

Kath x

Wedding !!!!

2011-05-23T18:07:00.000+01:00

Hi Peeps just thought I would share my wedding save the dates and invites

Very simple just printed some tags off one of my Cd's not sure which one but its prob a Choc Baroque one
Bit of ribbon done ha ha Used PSP to enhance the text and flower (faux embossed)

This pic is of my 'sample' so it looks a bit tatty now ..... velum overlay and properly embossed text and flower .........did a cheque book style as the wedding isn't local I had lots of info I needed to share

Basically the front cover followed by card which matches the save the date .........then the invite its self ......followed by tear out RSVP, accommodation info, menu, and a little map

Not very crafty mainly done on the computer but Steve did very well embossing the flowers seeing as his hands are like coal shovels ha ha

Be good

Kath x

Hello Peeps

2011-05-20T09:46:00.000+01:00

Hey Just thought I would bring you up to date a bit

David is loving Uni ......It seems I have a budding anthropologist on my hands, hes just at the end if his second year and is loving Lampeter, I'm so pleased he had a change of heart and went back into education, even if it took 2 yrs for him to decide ha ha

Still not got anything crafty properly unpacked ......... dug out a couple of canvases and some paints to have a bash at painting an abstract of three canvases (kind of one pic split in three if that makes sense) for the dining room but my mojo is still in a box some where,

The cats are loving the garden ........... its nice to see them so happy after the upset of the move, they really didn't like it and sulked for days but now seem to have forgiven me :)

Ive found a pic of something I had a bash at a while ago ....painting with bleach!!

This is a Clarity Stamp stamped on to black card with stazon and then painted with bleach to wash out the colour........ I found the thicker bleach easier to work with ......... its a bit stinky but once dry its fine ........ it takes a few coats and its like working backwards as the more you apply the lighter it goes so keep that in mind if you need shaded / darker areas I just got the base colour as I wanted it,, then barely touched the card to achieve highlights .......also try the bleach on scraps first as some coloured card just doesn't bleach and some don't go white but light tones of the original. Have a go!

Be good
Kath x

Remember me part two

2011-05-09T16:10:00.002+01:00

Hi all

Im all settled in the new house and the babies are all well after the custody battle lol.... maybe I shouldnt laugh but I can now see the funny side of the farce that was my marriage :)

Anyway enough about that chapter its been and gone .... Back to my happy self and the gossip .... New home.... new fella.... Wow hitting forty was sooo not what I expected .

Still waiting to unpack my craft stuff :( lots of other things keep getting in the way like plumbing and decorating ha ha ..........

Hope your all well

Be Good

Kath xxx

Hey Peeps

2009-06-22T18:03:00.002+01:00

Hi Everyone ...I'm back in the land of the living ........ I didn't realise turning 40 would be so eventful ha ha .....I'm back at home with my crafty stash and my babies, hopefully I will remember how to still do crafty things ha ha . Thanks for your lovely messages ....Ive missed you Guild Guys x x

Be Good x

Remember me

2009-05-21T21:54:00.002+01:00

Hi Peeps

Sorry I haven't been around much .........had quite a bit of trouble on the home front and have separated from hubby ....... I'm okay and over the worst of it ...bear with me be back soon.

Be good x

Kath x

One for the ladies (sorry boys)

2009-03-19T19:31:00.011Z

Hey peeps
We have been laughing at work this week about sending cards for mothers day

The lads seem to think its funny how someone with no mum

(mine passed away a long time ago) ends up sending three mothers day cards.

I didn't blog the cards yet in case they saw them on here! I will do them after Sunday.

So anyway I just thought I would just pay homage to all you ladies out there

who may not even be mothers but have given love out to people in need of one!

Its surprising how a hug and a kind word to someone means so much.

Ive been lucky enough to be on the receiving end as well.

Three of my fave ladies

My wicked step mum !

Don't worry she likes me calling her that.... honest.

{She prob wont read this blog, so inside her card Ive written}

Thanks Linda for making my Dad so happy over the past 3 years

( he's old and grumpy so you can keep him now)

W.S. mum & MIL

My 'adopted' mum Janet,

She has been so much more than a mother to me

and a gran to David over the last 15 years and she will read this,

then ring me and call me a silly sod ...

I'm glad I've got you ......some stranger wouldn't have put up with me this long.

Love you x x

And last, but not least 'Happy Mothers Day' to

Sandra, my Hubby's mum who I adore

(and prob should tell her more often)

She's the best MIL in the world, spoils me rotten

and taught me how to make quiche.
Love you x

My First quiche !

So to all you Nana's, mums, aunties, sisters, friends and lovely ladies

who make someone feel loved

HAPPY MOTHERING SUNDAY

have a good one

Be good

Kath x

Midweek Blog?

2009-03-11T22:24:00.003Z

Hey Peeps

Just thought I would share these before I give them to my {nearly} daughter in law.

She asked me to make a couple of birthday cards for her student friends.

Hope she likes them ha ha Ive gone all of a grunge !

EI Stamps butterfly collage theme plates, a couple of scroll stamps (apols forgot who's) and distress inks (Versafine for the background)

The flowers and butterflies are stamped on to....... paper which I wet scrunched, then flattened out to dry and lightly coloured with distress inks and spritzed again to 'bleed', dried and then stamped image and cut out mounted etc. Used a couple of eyelets to fix to the card !

These are from the same stamp set as above but I just used toning backing papers from a dove craft pack I was bought as a gift by my adopted mum (Ta Mother ha ha) really quick one but like the effect.

Be Good x

Kath

Beautiful Flutterbyes

2009-03-08T18:32:00.011Z

Hi peeps

Afraid I haven't done much but play today

nothing assembled as of yet

haha

I made this for my MIL on Thursday to give to my Nan in Law

Apologies about the photo I took it with my phone as I had forgot to do it before I gave it to MIL.

Anyway the new collage stamps from EI at Graphicus are gorgeous

I naturally had to have the Butterfly Daisy and Poppy theme plates

as I didn't want them to be lonely ha ha

I just stamped the large corner direct to card. Stamped the large image on to glossy card and white velum with black Stazon.

Cut out the flowers and butterfly from the velum, coloured with my trusty TomBows and gingerly embossed from back to give a little definition .Then mounted over image with a couple of foam pads. I added a little colour to the edges using Chalk Eyes and mounted on some textured lilac card then on to base with foam tape to give a little lift, coloured a peel-off black (Does any one else struggle with rub ons ?) ... Et Voila!

Off to play a bit more hee hee

Be Good x

Kath

A Blog award for little me !

2009-03-08T12:56:00.007Z

Hey Peeps

Ive received an award !!

I feel very flattered to have received an award from Phree over on http://inkstainsurvivor.blogspot.com/

Please go and have a browse she has some lovely creations and I'm not ashamed to admit I have 'borrowed' a few ideas of hers when I have been a bit uninspired.

THANK YOU !

Now apparently I have to pass this on to 10 people and as I don't have 10 blog friends to pass it on to I shall do my best, so apologies for not following the rules to the letter.

The "Makes My Heart Smile" award rules - pass it on to 10 (ish) of your favorite blogs.

All the blogs below are brill and make my heart smile ha ha.

1. Veronica at http://vroncards.blogspot.com/ for having the patience to email a full explanation of her water colour background technique.

2. Rosie at http://rosie-ramblings.blogspot.com/ Just because x x

3. Lesley at http://craftymammalovenhugs.blogspot.com/ because not only does she do lovely cards but she always leaves encouraging comments

4. Flossie at http://crafty-flossie.blogspot.com/ I love reading her blog and her cards are fab

5. Ann at http://craftblogspiritofcreativity.blogspot.com/. She does some lovely stuff

6. Adrian at http://adrianww.wordpress.com/ for his dodgy jokes and making me laugh !

And last but definitely not least

7. Jo at http://littlepeachtree.blogspot.com/ For her lovely designs and her encouragement

Be good x

Kath

Another Day Another Dollar

2009-03-03T19:25:00.005Z

Hi Peeps

Been hectic again with work .....didn't even have time to do my blog on Sunday as usual.

Never mind only 20 years till retirement ha ha.

This cold snap isn't willing me out of bed either !

Still, I managed to make a few cards on Sunday morning !

Seem to have a thing about rounding corners this week

I'm still being drawn to my warmer colours even though I should be getting 'springy'

(poss because its blinking freezing here)

Papermania papers and ribbon, and Penny Black stamps simply water coloured in.

Even went a little trendy and 'stapled' my ribbon!

Penny Black stamps again, water coloured, a scrap of brayered card and my trusty scallop scissors ... who needs a die cutter (ME!) Made for a friends birthday she loves pink !

Not to sure about this !

Loved the brayered effect and crackle stamp (yes Ive finally found one) but think I should have mounted on a bigger card base!

EI stamps WIGL text and Flora n Fauna theme plates, I cant for the life of me remembered what I coloured the poppy heads in with ! Think it was a base of distress inks and touches of damp coloured pencil.... I must have been in the zone ha ha

Be good x

Kath

Colouring In !!!

2009-02-22T19:24:00.005Z

Hey Peeps

Just a quick post... been mad busy all week not had much time to myself

Managed a couple of hours crafting today.

Feel a bit like Ive lost my mojo, so when in doubt colour in !!!

EI Snowdrop script stamp and papers, and my old faves Tombow pens. Text from EI WIGL theme plate

EI Harlequin Rose and H2O's

Very lazy, EI damask stamp and a Heros background stamp just embossed with Copper EP

EI Romance ATC stamps and Distress Inks

Sorry its not much of a description

Be Good
Kath x

Stampbord Stuff

2009-02-08T20:02:00.005Z

Hey peeps

Been playing with UTEE and Stampbord today.

Had much fun and made a right mess ha ha !

Here's a couple of bits I made .........They look more sparkly than shown here !

I built up 3 layers of black UTEE first.

On the square one I sprinkled black dazzle EP and Gold EP and a touch of gold glitter.

Then just stamped in to it with a stamp from the Harlequin Rose themeplate from Graphicus

I covered the other one completely in gold EP .. just a thin layer.. Then it showed the black through once I stamped into it !! (Stamp from Damask theme plate)

Oh don't forget to punch a hole before you start ... then i just added some cord and a gold bead.

Check out Glenda on YouTube for inspiration !!

Now I'm off to clear up the mess.

Be good

Kath x

Butterfly Collage Themeplate Elusive Images

2009-02-08T19:33:00.004Z

The new Butterfly Collage Themeplates have been revealed over on the

Elusive Images Design Team Blog.

They are belicious !!!! go look !!!

These stamps will be showcased on February 10th, 1.00pm on Create and Craft - sky channel 671.

That's me skint again !!

Miss it miss out x

Kath x

Scrap Books !

2009-02-01T21:25:00.004Z

Hi Peeps

For months now I've been meaning to put some pictures of David into a scrap book.

For his 21st we decorated the room with lots of his baby/toddler/teens pictures, just to embarrass him, as you do, and the old photos I scanned in have been sat in a folder patiently waiting for me.

As today was a funny day (that's my phrase for needing to do something but not quite knowing what) I decided to have a go at something different, as you can tell I'm not much of a scrapper but I'm sure I will develop some talent eventually ha ha !

About four hours old!

Scrap bits courtesy of cannon scrap book site

After a day out at the Zoo.

Scrap bits off a crafters companion CD

He still has this bear!

Scrap bits from a teddy bear kit (C & C I think)

Only another 10 to do

You never know I may get round to my wedding photos at this rate ha ha

Be good

Kath x

Furry hot water bottles !

2009-02-01T13:53:00.004Z

Hi Peeps

As all of you cat owners out there will know, they all have their own personality and if yours are anything like mine they are often quite vocal about it !

I've been away for one night to visit the in-laws and I came back to,

two very mewly (is that a word), cuddly, where have you been, pick me up, no pick me up, bring anything good back, stand still I need to rub all over your boots, you smell funny, ooh the ears stroke the ears, that's Alf & Fred,

... one, I'm not speaking to you, dad fed us late, you deserted me, I will be in my basket sulking all night now, no don't touch me, that's Dennis,

and one very laid back, stroll down the stairs, whats all the noise, oh its you, can I just look in the lovely crinkly carrier bag, that's Smudge.

Anyhow they all have one thing in common, they really don't like the cold !!
We woke up rather late this morning to find all four of the IN THE BED.

Normally Fred and Alf will climb on the bottom in the night and they all have their own beds........It was so cold last night I put the spare duvet on and it must have been to hard to resist for them ha ha.

So we woke up with four furry hot water bottles all snuggled up. Paul tried to sneak out to grab the camera but three of them thought 'ooh breakfast' and followed him..... good old Fred didn't let me down, he just spread out and snuggled in, takes after me !!!

Its hopefully not going to become a regular occurance but I didnt mind to much last night as it was so cold Brrrr !!

Keep Warm - Its snowing here !!

Kath x x

Coffee, craft, and the odd custard cream

2009-01-29T19:24:00.003Z

Hi Peeps

My friend Becki, a fellow crafter, normally comes to play during the week.

So last night we sat at the table, coffee, biccy's, the odd jelly baby discussing my finds during my tidy up last week ! Queen of hoarders (her not me) and kettle....pot...... black were all mentioned within the first 5 Min's.

Anyway we decided to kinda challenge each other to make a couple of cards using things we had never used... she had a particularly nice set of Fairy stamps I bought her for her birthday (last year) in her crafty tote bag. My finds have been used below.

Hedgepig stamp from Little Claire designs

It look quite nice as is so I just highlighted flowers etc with a clear sakura stardust.

Laura Ashley peg stamps, still not sure Ive got the hang of them but doesn't look too bad !

Pink paper pad from Paper Mania (I think)
(One of my fave Little Claire hedgepig stamps just coloured with Tombow pastels)

Be good
Kath x

Tag your it

2009-01-29T18:06:00.004Z

Hi Ive just been tagged by Chris

I have to look in my pics folder, choose the 6th album and post the 6th photo and explain what it is about and pass it on to 6 people,

I'm so glad it wasn't 7 of 7 ha ha

This is a photo of my son David, No he doesn't take after his mum !

I 'zombied' him for a for a Halloween party last year

Now to find 6 people who haven't been tagged

Kath x

Back to basics

2009-01-25T17:22:00.007Z

Hi Peeps

As some of you out there already know I had a massive clear out at the beginning of the week.

Found a few things I forgot I had Oops ! Don't mention to hubby ! Plus I have loads more space for more goodies (have you spotted the method in my madness yet)

Anyway I donated quite a few bits and bobs to my niece who has drove her mum mad all week sticking and gluing things to things she really shouldn't have stuck them too, Oops again ha ha

I also made loads of toppers for cards to donate to my Mum-in-Law. Ive been really busy the rest of the week trying to tidy up the stuff I tidied up !!!

Hubby also discovered that we had a dinning table......... Bugger I will never get a new one now !!

Here's a few of the quick cards I've managed to put together........They are pretty self explanatory so I've not done my usual babble ! I've managed about 20 so far so MIL will be pleased too.

It was quite nice for a change just to sit in front of the TV with a coffee and stick them all together, but don't worry I still prefer my stamps ha ha !! I really need to get out more !!

I think these are Red Hot Bed

Not a clue where these came from but they are really pretty if not a tad fiddly, which is prob why they were at the bottom of a pile ha ha I Just Backed them with Artylicious papers and frames from the Peacock summer party CD

This is definitely the clutter stuff by RHB.

Be good x

Kath x

You gotta love it !

2009-01-18T13:02:00.008Z

Had a great day yesterday..... my new stamps arrived ! Plus its the first free weekend Ive had in a while and Hubby was off ....needless to say I didn't see much of him as I was crafting and he was watching the footy, but he did keep supplying me with coffee ha ha. Its nice just knowing he's around if that makes sense, any how I digress .... back to the stamps.

As your probably aware I'm a great fan of Elusive Images stamps, to be fair I have lots of other stamps and I'm quite partial to Little Claire's and Penny Black's hedgepigs (as they are known in my house!). But I always seem to have more fun with the EI ones, maybe Glenda coats them with happy dust ha ha !

I'm babbling again... Have a look, see what you think, these are all from the Harlequin Rose theme plate, and I love it !!

This one was just stamped on to water colour paper and coloured in with H2O's, matted on light green card, then a torn bit of stamped vellum and mounted on a plain card covered with Artylicous backing paper.

This image was stamped on vellum with sepia Versafine, torn and edged with the same, I (Gingerly) slightly embossed the rose and leaves on the reverse, to bring the white through, matted on parchment paper and old gold card. Then I stamped the border on to torn vellum and layered it all up.

This, I think is my fave of the theme plate... stamped on pure white vellum with white Stazon (cheating! I know, but I'm a little heavy handed when it comes to parchment craft) Then I coloured the reverse with Tombow pastel pens and matted on black and gold, and just stamped the border in gold at the bottom,

This is a very simple one, I painted roughly a piece of water colouring card with glimmer mist Then stamped the words, Friend highlighted with a glitter pen, matted on matte silver card. I then made a mask with the single rose, stamped, masked and over stamped, and coloured with Tombows. Then I cut them out and mounted with foam pads.

This is my Hubby's fave... pity he saw it, I will have to make another for St Valentines Day now !

I Stamped the hearts on to the remainder of the painted card I used above and then highlighted the lines with H2O's then just cut them out, the middle bits where a bit fiddly but I managed ok with my swively craft knife, then I just made a tag with the left over and stamped the sentiment, mounted them with foam pads on a black card with a scrap piece as a 'ribbon'.

This one started off as a bit of an 'accident'.... I like to try different types of papers and inks just to see what they do, so I stamped direct to water colouring card and I'm not sure if the Stazon was a little dry or I didn't press firmly but it was really faded! Not to worry I waited till dry then spritzed it with water. Rough washed over it with Distress Ink (I patted some onto my heat mat and added a little water) Then did the same to colour the rose and leaves, I think it looks nicely distressed (waste not want not)

As I keep saying ......Please feel free to leave me tips and hints

Be good x

Kath x

2009-01-05T19:06:00.006Z

Hi Just thought I would share these

Paul found one of those laser pens.... the cats had us in fits chasing the dot around.

These two naughty sods were sleeping on the pillows when we came back in from a trip to the shops ..... Fred looks like he's been really busted.... Alfie was more annoyed at the fact I woke her with the flash.

They are soooo cheeky

Be good

Kath x

Stampbord !!!!!

2008-12-30T17:56:00.011Z

Hey Peeps,

Hope everyone had a cool yule ha ha !

I've been playing with Stampbord for a couple of days {thank you Santa} Also Glimmer Screens and mists.

I took some advice from Glenda Waterworth and allowed myself two pieces to ruin......... anyway 6 ruined pieces later {and a re-run of a certain craft show for inspiration} I managed to make a couple of cards {I even salvaged a particularly dodgy piece see below}

Its good fun to play with and I've found a few cheats already ....

1) If your not to good at scratching back to white {One failed attempt, gave up, will try harder next time} use an inkssentials white pen and colour in instead ..... they are excellent.

2) If you accidentally scratch into your stamped line re-colour it with a matching gel pen !!!!

3) If you really make a mess turn it in to a very distressed piece, I have 3 grunge works in progress ha ha. {Stick with paler colours till your use to the 'soak up' of the surface}

I really need some UTEE to have a go at stamping into it, as I have a few ideas for jewelry but no one's open {Graphicus that mean you} till the 5th of Jan so I shall practice my scratching until then ha ha.

Very Goth !

This is gloss card spritzed with silverbells and black Glimmer Mists and 'cling-filmed', stampbord blacked out with black soot distress ink, stamped in white Stazon with and Elusive Images stamp (WIGL theme plate) (thank you Santa) I tried a bit of scratching but made a mess ! So I re-coloured it in with a gel pen, then added couple of punched flowers and a bit of stringy stuff.

Sunny Days !

This one is lemon card stamped with an EI stamp (flora bella), smudged up with some chalk eyes. Same goes with the stampbord but I coloured the bobbles in with the white gel pen this time. (too chicken to scratch)

Edged it with a dark brown chalk pad to give it a bit of contrast and layered it over the stamped image.

And just to prove that you can make something out of nothing, here's one I made a mess of and saved !!!!

Just a ruined bit of Stampbord further distressed , a bit of twine and an odd button, stamped with an EI stamp from the WIGL theme plate, mounted on glossy card splodged with a Tim Holtz distress ink and spritzed with Glimmer Mist and a flourish stamped for good measure.

Please feel free to leave me tips, I need them ha ha !

Hope you all have a great new year ! See you in 2009 ! Be Good x

Kath x

Bored Sunday Afternoons

2008-12-07T15:00:00.002Z

Hey

Been a funny day today.....cant seen to get going with anything (still in PJ's)

Have done a bit of brayering and made a couple of cards for my Dad-in-law, done minimal housework in case anyone pops in ha ha.

Anyway here's a few bits Ive managed ! Constructive criticism only please ha ha !!!!

Ive used Graphicus stamps (Damask and Daisy script) and a brayer with Tim Holtz or Marvy inks and a Versamark for the resist.

The one below is for a friends birthday card
[Bit of torn velum in corner with a smudge of the blue ink on torn edge] May add 'happy birthday' in top corner not sure yet!

Sorry about quality of the photos the flash was having a bad day to ! Kept leaving me an orb on the image. Got fed up and just uploaded the better ones.

Told you its been a funny day !

[Note to self: must read instruction books before filing under B]

Be good x x

SNOW !

2008-12-02T21:56:00.000Z

OMG !

What a day today......... started at 5.30am when hubby went to work, the snow was unbelievable There I was Uggs and fluffy dressing gown {stunning} admiring the beautiful whiteness, fluffy stillness, crisp clean air, laughing at Fred who put one paw in and out like he was doing the hokey cokey ! I was full of christmasy goodness

Then it began to dawn on me I had to drive to work in the stuff !!! no sign of gritters !!! 5 inch deep and counting. Needless to say my trusty Cleo got me in safely with only a couple of scary moments. Then I sat at my desk worrying about everyone else for an hour till they got in !

Needless to say I haven't got half the stuff done I should have today [wanted to do some brayering an show ya all my attempts] and so my blank spaces are my digital snow enjoy ha ha

Be good x

My first Blog

2008-11-28T21:12:00.001Z

Hello and welcome to my blog page.

As this is my first post I'm a little nervous.

I thought I would just introduce you to the kids ha ha.

My real baby has now grown up and left me

so my poor pampered furry babies get most of my attention.

( Hubby has given up competing with shiny crafty things and cats)

Fred, who's not quite grown out of his blankie !

The smudgemister, sleeps anywhere

Dennis, very cheeky little lady !

Alfie, sleeping as usual

I will try harder next time, be good XX