Update but no crafting

hi all
feel bad I am not blogging and even worse not crafting :(
very busy at work and lots to do for the party. Did try to get some cutting out done last night for another page for Grace's Memory book, but the eyes were not playing.

On a better note, picked up my new stamps from Sue's (there ace and can't wait to use them), bumped into Sam (prior to the green hands I think...........) and on Sunday bumped into Polly whilst shopping.

Also went to poundstretchers and Matt spotted some stackable drawers 12 x 12 for £14.99, so got two and a smaller little one for my growing stamp collection.

oh whilst at Sue's was cheeky and asked Sue if Matt could look at her craft room so he understood how Sue very nicely has her mounted wooden stamps on her walls, Matt was well impressed.

oh well that me for tonight hope everyone is well and looking after yourselves.

take care
kate x

Various Creations

A little hectic a work but by does this crafting make you relax. So this week I have created the following.

Another little box, from the K & Co boxes pad that I got from the Hobby House, I added some little flowers, butterflies and dragon
flies. I then created a bigger flower for the top.




I then created three xmas cards (that is five to date, I will get there) Each the same but with different sentiments as had to use what was left from the external and internal design. Used some dark green card stock layered onto a white card and then covered with this gorgeous paper from the Hobby House. This is one of the copic's images that I coloured when we had that glorious sunshine (where has it gone). The cuttlebug and nesties creating the loving
background for her. A little gold ribbon at the bottom and then the lovely white/gold flower and green and gold ivy leaves and the little gold bell to complete. The inner to match. Really enjoyed creating these and just know that giving them will mean so much.



And finally Kyle is having his birthday the day after Matt's. So I created this with another three whiff of joy stampes that I got from the Hobby House the other day. I suppose I did not have many boy themed stamps, lucky I got them and then remembered his birthday.

This card is based on black card stock and layered with some papers I got a while back from Running with Scissors. The first layer was white card, which I distressed with Tim Holtz mustard. I then layered the coloured side of the brown paper and on top the reverse which was the plain brown side. I used some ribbon from the Hobby House to hide the join. I then wanted to sit the little boy on the bench and the bench on the grass. Will need to wait till my class to do this correctly. So I stamped each one, cut around each one and layered with foam pads to create the effect. Can't wait till the class to do this correctly (I did have a go but not successfully). I then added a panel of another paper behind and the obligatory flowers, flourish and a little butterfly embelishment. The pearls bottom right to pick up the flower centres and the sentiment produced in word. Think that about does it.

Well off to tidy up and pack the work bag, another busy day tomorrow and another card for Vanessa to make.

Thanks for looking and for all your recent lovely comments, which always makes you feel really good about what your doing and inspires you to carry on.

Kate x

Grace's Memory Book - Mum and Dad's Page

Well finally managed to sort out my computer blitch, thank heavens for Mozilla Firefox. It appears that the newer version of explorer has so many problems. Identifed the problem as my normal on line banking would not recognise it. It gave me three suggestions, Mozilla was one of them. I had used Mozilla before at work to resolve some internet issues and can't think why I did not think of this sooner. So I am now able to blog with no problems. Can see everyone else's site without errors. Hooooooorrrraaaayyy ..................

Got up early this morning and cleared some of the ironing pile, located all the silver platters, plates, napkins, plastic cutlery and all important beer glasses. Cut the grass and strimmed it, weeded the big bed with Matt's help and then got down to the all important bit, crafting.

This page is for Lindz and Mike, prior to Grace. It is a favourite place they both liked to go. I located amongst my K & Co paper stacks a green paper that really picked up that gorgeous grass. I decided that I wanted to frame the page so gutted another paper that co ordinated well. I then decided I wanted to frame the photo and used my newly purchased compass to create a circular frame. I created a part artisan shape and layered this but felt it was missing something so added the lace. I lifted the point of the artisan shape over the square frame. I had used Tim Holtz and my little sponge to distress all the edges and continued this theme on the branch punch and flowers. I used the paler paper and felt it needed a little something so found a stamp with words on it and then used the second stamped image to impress onto the flowers. (Sue taught me this technique) I used the brown on the bottom larger flower and green on the smaller. I arranged the flowers and then used my new ticket stamps to add an embelishment. I used liquid pearls to edge the artisan shape.

Have been considering colours for the new craft room and think as it has a blue carpet already that I may add a cream for light and a turqoise for a flash of warmth. Can't wait till the 3rd August when I can start stripping the room. Could start really after the party on the 2nd, but think I may be a little worse for wear.

Well thanks for looking
Kate x

A right crafty day

Well Matt is fishing again, so I got up early took the car for a check over and booked it in for its service with MOT. Visited the Hobby House and purchased some new bits and then went to pick up the missing foot from the Gazebo. Returning to create some interesting bits.









This card I created a couple of weeks ago, but was unable to finish it as I needed a poinsettia type flower, some gold chain and a little gold bell. All of which I managed to obtain this morning from the Hobby House.









Whilst at the Hobby House I found a lovely K & Co Stack which is little boxes. Adorable and you can decorate them however you wish. I added some lace and pearls to this one, along with some pink ribbon and some additional little butterflies. (Don't worry, I will get around to my own challenge - using the feather butterfly).









Finally I created another page for Grace's Memory Book, this time one of grandpa and Lindz's brother Martin taking time out for lunch with Grace, great photo I thought and could not resist using it. The Hobby House had a reduction on its Martha Stewart punches today, so I selected two new ones and also picked up my branch punch that I had ordered. The green and yellow spotty card with plain colour on the reverse is from Running with Scissors, the new ticket stamp from The Hobby House the new edge punch oh and the flowers I found in tickerty boo and dismantled them from the cheap plastic bits and added the new branch punch bits and think they look swell.

Well must go cut some lettuce from the garden and create the salad as I am sure that Matt will be home soon and I promised him a salad. (I was hoping for a little sun with it)

Thanks for looking
Kate x

Grace's Memory Book - Mike and Grace

Creating pages for men I find quite difficult. Avoid the pink, flowery, pretty stuff and try to make is sort of masculine.

I wanted to use the Father paper like I did in Faith's memory book, but to try do it different. So used some grey cardstock from a stack and then ripped the paper to size. I then wet the edges and curled the edges and then distressed them. I did not want it straight on the page and it looked quite good at this angle. I placed the photo with edged ink on the page above the word "father", it makes so much sense to let the paper say it for you. I wanted to highlight the word father again, so found some little brown buttons and ran these underneath the word father. I had one little brown button left so used this as the centre of the large flower and large pearls in the smaller flowers. The pearls looked lonely so add some smaller ones just to tie it in.

Well better go tidy up before Matt gets home from work, as came straight in from a busy day and decided to relax and what better way my crafty friends than doing a little scrap booking.

Thanks for looking
Kate x

Grace's Memory Book - Mike before Grace

Oh I don't know where to start. I had the pleasure of seeing Sue's craft room. It is amazing. I came home and discussed using my other son's bedroom for a craft room. This room has a fantastic big window for natural light. An existing cupboard just ready for shelving to be added. On the Sunday Matt and I went to Tickerty Boo on Wilton Road and other than buying a rather large gazebo Matt also spotted a lovely bar chair, leather. So as Matt had said yes to the move - oh room in the lounge for the xmas tree with this idea. We bought the chair (of course I am trying it out now in the lounge as Matt says I have to wait till the Party is over before I start on the move :( ).

Well enough of my little bit of excitement. Here is Mike's page for Grace's memory book. Tracey at Running with Scissors had very kindly assisted me to locate the papers for the black, red and white theme I needed, and don't they look ace. So simply done for a masculine look. Red base layering the black spotty on top. Edging with little red triangles and a black pearl on each corner. Layering a little of the black stripy and then the photo and wording matted onto the red also. I think he will like it.

anyway off to clean up, thanks for looking
Kate x

Grace's Memory Book - Lindz and Grace

This used that Gorgeous Mother paper that I got from "Running with Scissors". I used the same paper on Faith's Memory Book. The paper speaks for itself. I placed this as the background but did not want to miss too much of it. So selected some other paper from stash and cut it slightly smaller. I used the martha steward doily punch to edge it all the way around. I then cut out a circle to show off the paper. This highlighted the word mother but not enough. I found some more left over paper and cut a strip. I used my punch and edged each corner. I then added the lace from Rui Tong (this is a lovely trade only place I visit through work - Barbara sells some amazing things. The Butterflies presented at Sue's class were bought here). The lace was slightly too big so I trimmed off the top and used this to edge the round shaped photo. Flowers and feathers (from Rui Tong) to finish the design and some liquid pearls.

Well moving on to Mike's page (dad)

thanks for looking.

Kate x

My Altered Art Class - Tissue Box

Today I have had such fun that I came home with paint all over my hands and arms. I was not sure what I would be doing but knew it would be interesting and I would learn lots of new techniques. I had seen the Tissue Box that Sue had made and it was amazing. How was mine going to turn out.

Sue (Paper Paradise) had put on a class for a selected few and I was honoured to be invited.

If you go to see Sue's creation then she will explain all the technical bits.

Four sides to the tissue box all with different things on them and the top of course. Loved every minute and can not wait for the next task.

Thanks everyone for making me feel so welcome, and Sue the sandwich was lovely will bring my pack up next time to save you work.

thanks for looking
Kate x

Grace's Memory Book - Sue and Grace

This page is of Lindsay's Mum Sue with Grace, having a lovely time together. I wanted to get this one done today as Sue is recovering in hospital and memories like this aid the recovery process. Get Well from us all here Sue xxxxx

The photo of Sue supporting Grace to walk those boots up a tree again just called out for the sentiment which was made by colouring those lovely letters from Running with Scissors with my E29 copic marker.

The layout is sort of a combination of things learnt from classes and dare I say it my own imagination. (yes I finally think I found it) Several different K & Co papers make up this page. With the main paper picking up the green grass. The others picking up the earthy tones. A little faux stitching and some swirls and pearls and a flower to complete.

Well off to make coffee for the guests so thanks for looking.

Kate xx

Grace's Memory Book - Lindz before children (mum)

Well with Matt on his long hours and Mike (who has not been home all weekend) I managed to scarify the lawn - oh it looks awful now. I moved all my herbs to a more convenient place and made a start on clearing the garage. I am a right busy bee I can tell you.

However I did manage to get time to create this page for the unknown at the time mum to be Lindz. This is a photo of Lindz in Whitby, it is a favourite place of hers and before Grace was even thought of she spent many a time there.


So I looked through all of my K & Co paper pads and even though I possibly did not want to actually break into one, I had too as this paper was perfect for my vision. It is from the blue stack and the bottom paper is the reverse of the top one. I created an artisan shape (like I was shown in one of my many classes at "Running with Scissors". I then cut three thin strips of the back spotty paper just to run behind the image. I then found another page within the same pack which co ordinated so will and cut out a circle frame and placed this under the photo which is layered onto cream card stock. All edges again edged with Tim Holtz denim distress ink. I added the Title which is from the remaining letters on my 12 x 12 sheet from "Running with Scissors" and then created some journalling on word and again placed these on the cream card. I added some little shells around the bottom and right side edge of the photo, some lovely pale blue/white with a little sparkle flowers with paper blue roses on top from the "Hobby House" and finally a ring of pearls on the circle.

I am sure that when I eventually get around to doing a 12 x 12 scrapbook page on my own I will find it so easy. As when your creating on a smaller scale it is quite difficult, although I do love this bo bunny book.

Well must go and water the grass if I have any hope of it looking green and lush for the 40th/21st hog roast that is up and coming.

Also must put some thought to Matt's evening meal.

Thanks for looking

Kate x

Grace's Memory Book - A Bath Moment

Well all the ironing is out the way and although it is not bright and sunny outside, I believe I may go scarify the grass shortly.

I really appreciate the comments I get on my work and would like to take a moment to say "THANKS" to you all.

This photo was just crying out. I am sure it was not her first bath time, however the facial expression says it all. The word added sentiment " Oh!! Bubbles...."

I started with a base background cream card stock and found a bluey, greeny, watery looking paper from one of my pads. I gutted the cream card stock to make the photo base (saving paper) and then used Tim Holtz denim distress ink to ink all edges. I search the internet for the bubbles and then printed them off on photo paper. I cut them all out by hand ................ I placed them on with foam pads to add the dimension. A little pearl in each corner and some diamante's to edge although I must buy some dew drops as I think these would have been better.

Well off to see what the weather is doing and see if I manage to get outside

Thanks for looking and in advance for you kind comments

Kate xx

Grace's page In Grace's Memory Book

I went to see how Lindz was holding up this morning and she is doing just fine. I got to feed Faith and watched a slug crawl in Grace's paddling pool. Grace was fascinated by it. Mother was not, and it soon left very quickly.



Whilst there I was able to gather a few more photo's for Grace's Memory Book. Here is Grace's page, this photo was used on the thank you cards that Lindz and Mike had done.



I recently saw the most amazing page and felt instantly I would like to try use the ideas at some point. The page was on Ruth's blog. Ruth creates some amazing stuff and I hope she does not mind me borrowing the main layout idea but it was so inspiring.



The background paper was from a pad of papers I had, think I got this from The Hobby House. The first circle was from paper I got from Running with Scissors - I had used it for a card and had enough left over. The inner circle which is gorgeous and was from a mixed pack of 12 x 12 papers from Running with Scissors. I used the outside of a cd rom stack base for the outside circle and then used some fancy scissors to cut the fluty bits. The inner circle I used a cd itself. I then used Ruth's technique of the tiny pearls on the join. I used word to create the sentiment and some flowers from Hobby Craft and The Hobby House to add some dimension. The It's a Girl embelishment I am not sure where I got this from. I used a corner punch to shape the photo and you can just see a little of my doily punch work.


Well must get back to some housework, so thanks for looking
Kate xx