Blog Award

Hiya all in the land of blog

On Thursday last week I received this wonderful blog award from the very talented and lovely lady 

Sue of ScoopyStuff, thank you hun, you know I love you to bits :)

It took me a while to compose my list but finally here we are

The award comes with a requirement that I tell you 7 things about myself, will try write different things from the last award promise!

and then I have to pass it on to 15 blog friends and that was difficult too, as I have so very many but here goes.

1) I like to be the best I can in what ever I do

2) I love spending "money, is for spending" (especially on craft stuff) as you cannot take it with you

3) I love malt whisky, but please don't mix it or spoil it with ice

4) I have numerous friend, and some very special acquaintances

5) I like to be methodical and organised (make loads of lists)

6) I have to be honest and speak my mind

7) I adore my copics

So I would like to pass this onto the following

Mandy - A Sprinkling of Glitter

Kevin - McCrafty's Cards

Linda -  Blue Summer House Design

Helen - Helen's Craft Haven

Marlene - Disguised as a Grown Up

Jane - Carroll's Creations

Nataliya - Love Crafts Forever

Miria - Amanoamano di Miria

Janet - Planet Janet

Bridget - Curlybearcrafts

Tammy - Tammy's Spot

Janette - The Dragon's Den

Beth - Inspired by Friends

TracieB - Tracie's Crafty Creations

Mel - Mel's Crafty Delights

Phew that was really hard


enjoy your evening and tomorrow is 
thank crunchie day
Kate x

The Boozy Bridal Party

Good evening to you all in the land of blog

I start by saying sorry that I have not been hopping all over as normal to leave comments on all of your beautiful work, and promise to resolve this shortly.

Today I would like to introduce you to the Boozy Groom for the Wedding Party - and if you have not been following the Boozy Party then I will link to the creations I posted.

So here without to much pomp and ceremony is the Boozy Groom

This creation is made from gun metal grey pearlescent card available at the Hobby House.  This Top Hat and Tails is fully removable from the bottle, as you just cannot stop some people and would I want too.  This is the red bottle of wine.  A round sleeve was created around the bottle, followed by a square trouser frame.  The split in the trousers created with a black copic line up the centre and also up the back.  The jacket was cut to the same with and then a small nestie used to create a circle opening for the bottle neck.  The edges were snipped at small intervals to allow it to curve and be glued to a large oval nestie.  This and the jacket were cut to shape to show the front of the jacket and also the tails on the reverse.  The neckline was also cut, maintaining a line of symmetry.  The cumber-band (think that is what you call it) is burgundy ribbon wrapped twice around the trouser square to fit snuggly under the jacket.  The arms were freehand drawn and glued in place.  The lace was added for the cuffs and collar.   Tiny black pearls added for the buttons on the cuffs, jacket front and two at the top of the tails on the back.  A small burgundy flower and one single textured leaf added for his pocket and a small burgundy bow for his tie.  The hat is made from two nestie circles and a strip for the height, carefully held in place with a bead of silicone glue.  The ribbon wraps around the hat with three small pearls at the join.  Think that about covers it.

Here is the bridge and groom together

If you would like to see how the bride was made please hop over here. The Wedding Memory box here and the Bridal Gift here.

Now I really must put some consideration to what Matt and I will be wearing for the day, obviously I will need a day outfit and an evening one as well :)

Here is what I would like to enter my Groom creation into 

House of Gilli - Ribbons and Pearls

Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp and Show - A Hat

There she Goes Clear Stamps - markers down

Gingerloft - die cuts or punches

Scrappy Frogs - Flowers and Lace

A Gem of a Challenge - Anything but square

Wee Memories - Anything Goes

Simply Create - Do it Yourself

Craft Us Crazy - Celebration

Digi Doodle Shops Best - Ribbons and Bows

Dutch Dare - Celebrations

Little Miss Muffet - Brads, pearls or gems

I would like to say hello to my new followers and thank you to those of my visitors that leave such wonderful comments

Enjoy your day tomorrow

Hugs Kate

xx

Christmas In The Spring with the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge

Good morning to you all in the land of blog

Today brings the new challenge at the

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge

our very Talented Tracie has chosen the theme this week, but before I move on Tracie is now creating some lovely digital papers and these can be bought here at the Secret Crafter On line Shop do pop and take a look as they are so pretty.

The theme Tracie has chosen this week is 

Christmas In Spring

what a great theme, I tried to make this one using Spring colours.  I just had to use one of the Secret Crafter Manga images, these are only available from the Secret Crafter and can be purchased as a digi or a clear polymer.  I have used Ice Skating Couple, I love colouring these.

So here is my design team inspirational piece 

The base colour and contrast is a vibrant lime green, and I have compliment this with some gorgeous papers.  The ribbon is from stash, the sentiments are from MSE.  The edges have all been distressed and glittered up.  

Here is a close up of the image

The image is coloured with copics and a clear glitter sakuro pen with a white gel pen to highlight.

Do pop and take a look at the other inspirational pieces of the design team.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges

Crafty Purple Frog - Going Green
Digi Doodle - Ribbon and Bows
DYSU - Sparkle and Bling
The Pixie Cottage - Sketch and/or sparkle
Your Next Stamp - Make It Sparkle

I would like to say hello to my new followers and to those of my visitors that leave such wonderful comments, I enjoy reading them all

Hugs Kate xx

A Magical Fairy Resting Place

Good evening to you all in the land of blog, and welcome to the weekend

Today I get to show case another amazing image from the Dragon's Lair, this one is called, Resting Place and also some delish 8x 8 papers called Dreamy Peach the papers set the theme really for this card, with the lovely peach and aqua tones.

Here is my show case creation

The base card and contrast colour is peach.  I have used my deckled edge oval for the image place which has been slightly distressed around the edges (the colour is in one of my big juicy's)  The small MS daisy punch has been used on this occasion, the ribbon from stash, the diamante's from the Hobby House and the flowers from Grimsby Crafts (the leaves stolen from other flowers, but loved the texture on them) The sentiment is from MSE.  The image is coloured in copics with a white gel pen to highlight.

Now a reminder that the challenge is still on for Bring on the Spring at Stampin with the Dragon 

and 

News Flash, 

the Dragons Lair now has a gallery to showcase all of the lovely products and design team inspirational pieces - so please pop over to them both and join in and enjoy.

I would like to enter this creation into the following challenges

Digi Doodle - Ribbons and Bows
Meljens Design - Punches
Southern Girls - Animal
Stamp Something - Spring

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

Hugs

Kate

xxx

Oh Baubles!!!!! with the Winter Wonderland DT

Good morning to you all in the land of blog

Today brings the new challenge at

Winter Wonderland

and it is my turn to host the challenge so I chose a theme of

Oh Baubles

(anything so long as it has Christmas Baubles on it)

I decided to use one of my favourite Henry's from Whiff of Joy

So here is my design team inspirational piece

The papers on this one are by Dove craft and available from the Secret Crafter shop on line, the base layer and contrast colour is a pale pearl pink card from the Hobby House, the spotty pink ribbon is available from their too.  I actually found a sketch I like, but the challenge has expired.  This card uses the smaller oval and scallop oval nesties and the pearls are from Grimsby Crafts.  Henry is coloured in with copics and a white gel pen to highlight.  I have also used liquid appliqué for his fluffy bits and the mistletoe berries.  The sentiment on this occasion is stamped direct onto the pale blue paper, the sentiment is from MSE.

Please pop over and see what the other talented ladies of the DT have created.

I would like to enter this creation into the following challenges

Fresh Brewed - 2 or more embellishments

Little Claire's - Pink and Green 

CCEE Stampers - Xmas Card

Colour Create - Pastels

Delightful Challenge - Pastels and Ribbon

Digi Doodle - Ribbons and Bows

I would like to say hello to all my lovely new followers and thank you to those visitors that take the time to leave me inspirational comments, which allows me to hop over to see them too

Hugs and Enjoy your weekend

Kate xx

Discover Something Magical Today

Hi to you all in the land of blog

Today I am showcasing another fabulous Dragon's Lair digi image, this is Penny's Discovery, she is one of my current favourite images and beautiful to colour.  I have used fresh spring colours this time and my new lace idea, that I used last time to frame some pretty designer papers but this time it perfectly frames the circle frame of the digi.

The base colour and contrast on this creation is a textured mint green card available from the Hobby House, The beautiful and current over used lace is from Grimsby Crafts (just cannot get enough of it, but you can see why can't you)  I have used my Grand Nesties, the smaller circle for the image and the two smaller scallop ones to create the scallop frame for the lace to edge with the lace falling into the inner of the circle.  I have used small yellow pearls from the Hobby House to trim the frame and the tops of the MS punch.  The papers are from a new Papermania Mono Capsule collection pad in gorgeous spring yellows.

The image is coloured in copics and uses the greens and yellows and the aqua tones, I used a clear glitter sakuro pen for the frame and a white gel pen to highlight.

I would like to enter this creation into the following challenges

Aber's Crafts and Stuff - Use diecuts

Crafts and Me - Anything Goes

The Creative Cottage - Spring has Sprung

Paper Pretties - Spring

Simon Says Stamp - Mother's Day or Girlie

Creative Craft Challenges - Lace

Scrap Creations - Spring has Sprung

Papertake Weekly - Girlie

Creative Craft Friends - Spring

Happileigh Scrappin - Spring

House of Gilli - Pastel Colours with bling

Make it Monday - anything goes

The Shabby T Room - punch flower gem from bingo card

Stamp with Fun - Spring

Stamping Scrapping - pastels

Stamps R us - Spring

Aly's Sunday Challenge - Spring

Card Cupids - Spring Inspired

Cheerful Stamp Pad - Spring

I would like to say hello to all my new followers and thank you to my lovely visitors who leave me such fabulous comments

Hugs Kate xx

Get Crafty In The Kitchen with Our Vintage Affair's Design Team

Good evening to you all in the land of blog

Today brings the next challenge at 

Our Vintage Affair

the theme is

this could be alter a kitchen item to make something else or to use the Kitchen to be the main focus of your creation.

Our  Sponsor of the Month 

The winner of the challenge will win the whole set of 6 papers from the newest 3ndypapir collection "Sweetheart". And - a spot of Guest Designer for the upcoming challenge! 

Pop and take a look at what the Design Team and Guest Designer have created to wet your appetite, truly stunning pieces of work

My Design Team Inspirational piece is another of the Wedding Gifts, now if you have not seen the Wedding selection of Gifts I am currently creating here are the links.  When they are all done I will photograph them all together.  

Here are the links

Boozy Bride Bottle Dress

Wedding Memory Box

This is a Bride's Gift

So this is a rolling pin, not the smaller size that you buy in a box from the local card shop, but a full size rolling pin from the kitchen.  I have used a nestie to cut out the printed wrap and I have punched holes down the back and laced this up to match the Bottle Dress.  I then added the deep burgundy satin ribbon and tied this around each handle.  I then overlaid the handles with that gorgeous lace and then another layer of those ribbon roses and then on top of this the fluffy lace and finally the spray of flowers all to match the wedding box. Here is the handle section.

Here is a close up of the back, oh you can just see now the fine spray of gold glitter, and that corset lacing that holds the computer generated printed wrap.

I am really enjoying creating all of these items.  Promise will put them all together when I post the last item.  Think I have two more to go.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges

A Gem of A Challenge - Anything but a square
Sugar Creek Hollow - Anything Goes
Delicious Doodles - 3 Dimensional
Digi Doodle - Anything Goes
Penny's Paper Crafting - Kitchen
Bling it on - Anything goes

I would like to say hello to all my new followers and thank you to my visitors who leave such inspirational comments, love them all.

Hugs and Enjoy the rest of your weekend, I know I will.

Kate 

xx

Just For You on Mother's Day

Good afternoon to you all in the land of blog

I have had a lovely weekend, I spent ALL day Saturday crafting, and some of this morning :)  don't get me wrong, I have done some house work and cooked meals, but did these around the drying time of my creations :)

Today I ran my second card class at Grimsby Crafts, by the way if you have not already pop over to their blog and start to follow all the excitement and to see some photo's of not only my class but other classes held too.  What fun I had today, I got to meet Janet for the first time, hi hun :) Janet just had to show me a new Go Kreate die, so after posting this must go web shopping :)    We really got messy today but then we had to cut feathers and distress edges, but then that is what crafting is about, if your not getting messy - your just not enjoying yourselves.  

We created this card in class today, see here for how I made it originally

This is the 21cm x 21cm Grand Card 

here is one photo from the class, mentioning no names but think we are going to rename the class "Morrisons Class of 2011"

but please pop over to the Grimsby Crafts blog to see the rest of the photo's from the class.

Now I would like to show you another showcase card that was made for Grimsby Crafts, this one is using those delish Wild Rose papers and another of the new stamps just in....

The base layer and contrast colour is a deep pink and I have used a Grand Nestie circle with my normal nestie.  I have used a nestie tag too.    Isn't he adorable and a dream to stamp and colour.  Image was coloured with my copics.  I started off with the green's and then blended down to a yellow, I do love this colour blend :) , I will post another shortly showing this blend again.

I would like to enter this creation into the following challenges

Craft Your Days Away - Mother's Day

Easy Craft Projects - Mother's Day

Little Claire's - Pink and Green

Make it Colourful - Blending Yellow and Green

Card Makin Mamas - Animals

Fairytale - Pink and Green

I would like to say hello to all my new followers, and thank all my wonderful visitors for their amazing comments.

Hugs Kate xx

Wedding Memory Box for the Secret Crafter Design Team

Good morning to you all in the land of blog

I must start by saying that this post is photo heavy and you might wish to get yourself a cuppa :)

Today brings the new challenge at the

Secret Crafter

The theme this week is

Anything But A Card

This creation is part of a set of gifts for a friend who is getting married soon, previously I posted the Boozy Bride Bottle Wedding Dress and there will be more creations to follow shortly.  So this is a Wedding Memory Box, it uses the colour scheme of the Wedding again.

This is a tilted photo to show you the top of the box but also the lace and pearl trim.  The box itself was from Hobby Craft and has been coated with gesso and then over painted with a lovely burgundy.  Once this was dry I over sprayed with a cream crackle glaze spray and following that a spray varnish.  The outside of the box only has the crackle effect the inner has been left with the burgundy finish which is a matt finish.  The top has a lovely sentiment located from the good old www. This was printed onto parchment paper.  The edges were sprayed and curled and left to dry.  Once dry these were distressed with Old Paper, Antique Linen and Vintage photo distress inks all available from the Secret Crafter. Finally the floral arrangement was added - the flowers are a mixture from Hobby Craft, Wild Orchid, a local department store and my stash. The whole box was sprayed with a fine mist of gold glitter to finish again available from the Secret Crafter.

The base inside is a heart of Making Memories Je t'adore papers.  Around the bottom edge is some lovely frilly lace from our local department store (thank you Polly for picking some up for me after you found it)  Around the top edge are two different fabrics.  The first is the delicious lace and on top of this is a string of delicate material ribbons.

Here is a close up

The top edge has a lush burgundy satin ribbon around it, which is over a ribbon of pearl droplets.  The pearl droplets drop down, so that when the box is closed they sit over the lace around the bottom of the heart shaped box.

Finally the open box with the lid, now you can see the lace on the bottom around the edge with the space for the lid to drop onto.

Hope your still with me and have not dozed off after all of that writing and photos.

Please pop and see what the other ladies of the DT have created there are some gorgeous pieces

I am entering this creation into the following challenges

Digi Doodle Shop's Best - Anything Goes

The ABC Challenge - Q is for Quote

Scrapbook Sisters - Flowers

Bling It On - Anything Goes

Creative Craft Challenges - Lace

Scrap-Creations - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly - Three of something - lace

Tuesday Throwdown - Lace

Delicious Doodles - Dimensional Project

I would like to welcome my new followers and say thank you to my lovely visitors who take the time to leave me such wonderful comments

Enjoy your weekend

Hugs 

Kate 

xx

Bring On The Spring with Stampin With The Dragon

Good early morning to you all in the land of blog

Today brings the new challenge at

Stampin with the Dragon

with the theme of

Bring On Spring

We have a fabulous sponsor this week

Crafty Sentiments

who are offering a prize of 3 digis for the winner

We also have a Guest Designer joining us for this challenge, now I follow Kevin and his lovely work, so it is really nice to introduce you to Kevin of McCrafty's Cards

Hi My name is Kevin,

I have been card making for about four years now.

I also paint and make salt dough figures. I am totally blind in my left eye,

so it takes me longer to colour images and to produce my finished cards

but I am never happier than when I am creating. 

I am delighted to be joining the Stampin with the dragon team as a 

Guest designer for this challenge.

Please pop over to the challenge blog here to see his wonderful creation and the rest of the Design Team pieces.

Here is my inspirational piece for this challenge

The base of this card is a lemon card and the designer papers are from some more new stash, I know get me again, I do try not to spend honest :( this is another Wild Rose stack and so pretty just perfect for the welcoming of Spring.  I have used the large MS punch twice and layered this to create a sort of fan on the page (the hubby said they looked like wheels on a cart :o )  I have used an octagonal nestie and some large pearls from the Hobby House.  The flowers are from Wild Orchid on this occasion.  The little butterflies punched out and liquid appliqué added to their little bodies.   The image has been coloured with copics and distressed with mulled lavender and over stamped in the same with a leaf stamp.

Which reminds me I have just picked up my new colours of copics from Grimsby Crafts - 36 new colours, oh I cannot wait to play, thanks Lynn x

I am entering this cheery card into the following challenges

AliFactory - Things with Wings (butterflies)

Art Impressions Stamps Challenge - Punches or Die Cuts

Charisma Cardz - Use Die Cuts

Colour Create - inspiration photo (greens)

Crafty Purple Frog - Greens

Crafty Sentiments - Animals

Delightful Challenges - Green

Little Miss Muffett - Brads, Gems or Pearls

Pixie Dust Studio - Go Green

Some Odd Girl - Think Spring

Southern Girls - flowers

Cooking It Up With Katie - Cute, Green, Easter

Creative Card Crew - Green

Fab N Funky - green/St Patricks Day

Flutter By Wednesday's - green and butterfly

The Pixie Cottage - Green

I would like to welcome my new followers and thank those lovely visitors that leave me such wonderful comments which inspire and allow me to hop back to visit you too.

Hugs and Thank Crunchy It's Friday!!!!!!!! gonna get to play with my new copics :) and a first creation with my replacement Grand Calibur :)

Kate

xx 

To the Bride and Groom

Good Evening to you all in the land of blog

Today I get to show you some of my new stash, it does not matter how many times I say I must not buy any more - I still do..................

Another new delivery arrived at Grimsby Crafts as I was planning my card class, and even before it was out the box, I was delving into it.  I pulled out some lovely Wild Rose papers and this lovely bride and groom also by Wild Rose along with one of each other pack that arrived and a couple of more stamps, which I will show you over a period of time.  

Although I am currently in the middle of making quite a few Mother's Day cards, I just had to stop and play.  So here is what I created with these new items

The base paper is a pale grey and like I said above the top papers are by Wild Rose and this stack is Wedding Bells, such a lovely pack I was spoilt for choice for which papers to use on this card.  I eventually settle with the small blue swirl sheet with the doves in the corner and the cream and roses one both so pretty in their own rights.  I edged each layer with the pale grey and distressed all the edges.  I added some fabulous lace again from Grimsby Crafts around the circle.  The sentiment is MSE.

Here is the image

The image is two single polymer stamps layered so that the groom is behind the bride.  If you have not done this before it is quite easy.  I stamped both images onto large post it notes near to the sticky side.  I then cut out carefully each image.  I stamped the bride onto my copic paper and then placed her post it note over her. I then stamped him and also covered him with his post it.  I then created the background with distress inks and finally removed the post it notes and coloured the image in with copics.  I have used the Warm Greys, the Cool Greys, the Neutral Greys and the Tone Grey s for his suit.  A white gel pen has been used for highlights. I then distressed the image and image plate too, before layering up the card.

Although I am sort of addicted to flowers and bought some more gorgeous ones from the Hobby House today as there new order has finally arrived, I avoided placing them on this card as I wanted to show off the papers.

I am entering this card into the following challenges

Tuesday Throwdown - Lace

Amber's Crafts and Stuff - Anything Goes 

Creative Craft Friends - Lace 

Hello to my new followers, hope I can keep your interest and make you smile along the way, and thank you to all my wonderful visitors especially those that leave such lovely comments which enables me to visit you in return

Hugs and enjoy your day

Kate

XX

OMG!!! Total Retail Therapy

Hi to all of you in the land of blog

I have had a lovely weekend 

went to a 60th Birthday Bash last night rolled in at 1pm an then woke with a slight head at 10am this morning the best way to reduce a head is to go to the Beach Hut and craft so enjoyed making this little number for Grimsby Crafts.  

I have used some of my new stash again, the Wild Rose dotty papers and some old Papermania papers.  I decided to aim for a challenge for a change, which has not been the case for some time, but when Lynn at Grimsby Crafts asked me to show case a Whiff Of Joy image, I chose this one and it then the theme for their challenge just shouted out to me.

So here is what I created

I have made an easel card, with a coffee pearlescent base colour and contrast.  I have used my MS punch to create extra detail to the diagonal cut and some gorgeous dotty ribbon new from the Hobby House, along with the flowers and pearls.  I have paper pieced the shopping bags and added pearls to the flower buttons.

Here is a close up of the inner return

I added platinum stickles to the flowers and Spun Sugar distress ink around the image plate and sentiments.

Here is a close up of the image

She is like me had a fabulous time shopping yesterday.

I am entering this into the following challenges

Whiff of Joy - Buttons and Blooms

Catch The Bug - Scallops (punched edge)

Little Claire's - Flowers

Our Daily Bread - Leather or Pearls (real or faux)

Wags N Whiskers - more than one fold

Digi Doodle - Pearls 

DYSU - Layers

Hello to my new followers lovely to have you with me, and thank you to all those lovely visitors that take the time to leave such wonderful comments

Enjoy your evening

Kate

xx

Flowers For Mum from the Design Team at the Secret Crafter

Good morning to you all in the land of blog

Today brings the new challenge at the

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge

It was my turn to choose the theme for this week, and with Mother's Day not too far away, I thought that this would give us all the opportunity to think of our mum's and create something extra special for them.  I remember my Mum every year whilst I have the opportunity to create for my other very special mum, Matt's mum.  My mum sadly passed away a very long time ago now, but I am sure she would love my creations and know she is watching me and with me always.

So the theme this week is

Flowers For Mum

This is what I created for my design team inspiration.  My mum loved listening to the birds, gardening and was a total sun worshipper.

The base colour and contrast is a turquoise blue card, the top papers are from a new stack from the Hobby House by Prima.  The image plate is surrounded by a Marianne die with pearls from the Hobby House.  The image is Mollie Gardening and is a digi available from the Secret Crafter shop only.  The image plate is distressed with Tim Holtz tattered rose and over stamped with swirls in the same colour as is the sentiment plate.  The sentiment is from stash sorry not sure who by and the sentiment is mounted on a nestie fancy tag.  The ribbon is from stash and the flowers are from Hobby Craft and Wild Orchid.  The image is coloured with copics and a white gel highlighter.

I am entering this creation the following challenges

The Stampman - mother's day floral

Digi Doodle - Pearls

Southern Girls - Flowers

I would like to say thank you to all my wonderful visitors especially those that leave me such inspiring comments

Hugs and enjoy your day tomorrow

Kate 

xx

Jiggy's Easter

Good evening to you all in the land of blog

Oh so sorry I am late posting my DT piece today, so lets move on quickly - today I get to show you another fabulous image available from Dragon's Lair Designs, this one is called Jiggy's Easter and can be located here within the store

I have also used some more of Janette's delish digi papers, these ones are called Berries and these can be located here within the store

I think that Penny, Jiggy's mum did the Easter Egg shopping as mum's always like to go over the top, don't you think?

Here is my design team inspiration using Jiggy's Easter

The base layer and contrast is a pale lemon and I have used a Marianne die for the image plate frame and I have distressed the image plate with Tim Holtz frayed burlap.  sentiment and ribbon from stash and pearls from the Hobby House (see where I shop page link above)  The image has been coloured with copics with a white gel highlighter.

I would like to say thank you to all my lovely visitors who take the time to leave such lovely comments, I love them all

Hugs and Enjoy your weekend

Kate xx