Merry Christmas

Hi!

Sorry I haven't been blogging lately but the last few weeks have been manic!

I promise to do lots more blogging next year as I have loads of fab ideas! Hopefully they'll come out great as I've imagined.

So, hope you all have a very Merry Christmas & a prosperous New Year!

Love Kathy x

All the Chocolate Easel Cards!

OK, here they all are, I kept to one of each colour for the photo as 25 of them wouldn't have fitted on the table!

The colours I used were:
So Saffron (with Chocolate Chip ink)
Taken with Teal
Always Artichoke
Handsome Hunter
Brocade Blue
Perfect Plum
Not Quite Navy

Supplies used:
Stamps - Season of Joy & Punches Three
Card - in each colour & Very Vanilla
Ink - in each colour
Punch - Square Scallop
Adhesives - Snail & Dimensionals
Chocolate square

If you wanted to, you could use some Dazzling Diamonds glitter, pearls from the Pretties Kit or any of the Brads available, but I kept it simple.

Thanks for looking,
Kathy.

More Chocolate Easel Cards!

Here are the rest of the different colours I made, in all I made 25 of these cards, it only took an evening so I thought that was great going!! (Phew!)

Happy crafting!
Kathy.

Chocolate Easel Cards

Here are some pictures of the cards I've made for my work colleagues, & yes I've hidden some more chocolate for them! I gave them out on the 25th of November & most of the chocolate hasn't made it through the day! I gave them out so early as my craft cupboard is a complete shambles & I needed the room!

Thanks for looking!
Kathy.

Chocolate Tree Decorations

I made this chocolate tree decoration out of my last piece of chocolate (until I can get to Tesco's for some more!)

It's a nice simple project that you could make loads of in a short time & get better quality chocolate on your tree. You can also match them to your tree's colour theme (which I think is very important!), lol

Supplies:
Stamps - Punches Three
Ink - Night of Navy
Card - Very Vanilla
Punch - Scallop Square
Accessories - Elastic Cord in Silver
Chocolate

This is also a very economical project as I used off-cuts of card I had & the chocolate is only £3.99 for 45 in Tesco's. Less then 9p a go, bargain!! :)

Hi Ho!
Hi Ho!
It's off to Tesco's I go!

Kathy.
x

Stampers 10 cards

I made 9 cards for Abi's Stampers 10 (I'm the 10th!) & gave them out on Saturday as it was our last meeting until the new year.

As I forgot to take a photo I had to make another as I loved it so much & wanted to share it with you! The only things different are that I added a little Chocolate coloured glitter & the ribbon.

Supplies used:
Stamps - Season of Joy, Punches Three & Tree Trimmings
Ink - Chocolate Chip, Close to Cooca & Creamy Caramel
Card - Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa & Very Vanilla
Ribbon - 1/4" Grosgrain in Chocolate Chip
Punches - Scallop Square
Accessories - Glitter
Adhesives - Snail, 2-Way Glue Pen & Dimensionals
Chocolate square

You're probably thinking "Where's the chocolate?". It's hidden underneath the greeting, it just slides out so ruining the card getting to the chocolate!

If you'd like the chocolate it's Green & Blacks individually wrapped chocolate squares available from Tesco's (£3.99 for a box of 45). Just leave some for me as I've run out & I want to make some chocolate tree decorations!

Hope you like it,
Kathy.

Time for a Tree

I made this card for tonights team challenge, it was my turn to set the challenge so I decided to ask the team to make a card using a Stampin' Around roller & a greeting.

I came up with the idea this morning when my son had a couple of his friends round for some Christmassy crafting. They loved making the projects I'd organised, they made some chocolate tree decorations, a couple of photo frames each & (of course) a card each. One of the mums stayed & even she got into the act, stamping out gift tags! Give a girl a stamp, and she's hooked!!

Supplies used:
Stamps - Time for a Tree, Loads of Love (for greeting)
Ink - Basic Grey & Takien with Teal
Card - Taken with Teal & Whisper White
Ribbon - 1/4" Grosgrain in Whisper White
Punches - Scallop Edge, Tag & Small Tag
Tools etc - Blender pen, Snail, Dimensionals & Hole Punch

Thanks for looking, can's wait to see what everyone comes up with!
Kathy.

Team Swap #1

This is the first Team Swap I came up with, the idea is to design a card front & make 5 of the to swap with the others in Abi's team, I will then get 5 all new ideas to try!

This didn't come out quite as I'd hoped, but I'll get better at this swapping business, honest!

Supplies Used:
Stamps - Baroque Motifs
Ink - Brocade Blue & Chocolate Chip
Card - Brocade Blue, Chocolate Chip & Very Vanilla
Punch - Scallop Edge & Scallop Square
Accessories - Brocade Blue brad from the Rich Regals collection

Thanks for looking!
Kathy.

Circle Circus Layers

This card was made using the Circle Circus set & my set of Circlce punches to create a medallion effect without the tedious cutting out! I stamped it several time onto Night of Navy & Whisper White cardstock with Versamark ink & embossed in silver. When the medallion was finished I highlighted areas with my 2-way glue pen & Dazzling Diamonds.

Supplies used:
Stamps - Circle Circus
Ink - Versamark, Bashful Blue & Night of Navy
Card - Night of Navy, Bashful Blue & Whisper White
Punches - Scallop Circle & all the Circles! (you can use the ones you have)
Accessories - Clear Gem Brad, Dazzling Diamonds

Hope you like it!
Kathy.

Spotlight on Poinsettia

I made this card with the same greeting panel as before, I just used Real Red ink this time. The flower is made with the flower stamp from the Spotlight on Christmas set & punched out using the 5 Petal Flower punch, I used 2 layers here & a gold brad to finish.

I used:
Stamps - Spotlight on Christmas & Punches Three
Ink - Real Red
Card - Very Vanilla, Real Red & Old Olive
Paper - from Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin'
Accessories - Gold Brads

Thanks for looking!
Kathy

Silent Night - Thumping Technique

This card uses the "Thumping Technique", no I haven't been getting violent, It's a way of inking your stamp with several different colours to get a mottled effect.

I did this with 3 shades of green for the trees & here's how:

First I coloured the church with Close to Cocoa Stampin' Write marker, shading with a little Chocolate Chip. I then inked my trees with the lightest shade of green, I then moved on to the mid green & held the marker at the far end & tapped randomly over the trees with the flat of the brush nib (do you understand what I'm getting at?). I finished off with the darkest green, just a few thumps here & there. It's a fab way of getting a realistic finish to your stamped image.

I used:
Stamps - Silent Night & Punches Three
Ink - Old Olive
Stampin' Write markers - Earth Elements & Rich Regals
Card - Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Punches - Scallop Square & Scallop Oval
Accessores - Gold Brads

You might have noticed the lovely greeting panel, it's from the Punches Three Level 1 Hostess set. I adapted the Scallop Square design by stamping the image, punching it out & then cutting around the greeting. I layered it onto a Scallop Oval & finished it off with a couple of gold brads.

Hope you like it,
Kathy.

Season of Joy Chocolate Surprise

This is another card we made at the launch party, hidden behind the snowflake is a chocolate (Elizabeth Shaw orange chocolates).

I Used:
Stamps - Season of Joy
Ink - Chocolate Chip
Card - Chocolate Chip & So Saffron
Punches - Scallop Circle, 1-3/8" Circle,1-1/4" Circle & Scallop Edge
Accessories - 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon in Chocolate Chip

Hope you like it, sorry the colour hasn't come out well today.
Kathy.

One of a Kind Duo

I'd forgotten these cards until I was looking for some cards for my sister to have. I made these cards with some of the ladies who came to my catalogue launch party.

I used:
Stamps - One of a Kind
Card - Cameo Coral, Ruby Red & Very Vanilla
Ink - Ruby Red & Regal Rose
Punches - 5 Petal Flower, Boho Blossoms & Scallop Edge
Tools - Piercing Tool & Mat Pack
Accessories - Gold Brad

Thanks for looking,
Kathy.

Circle Circus Chocolate Card

This card hides some yummy chocolate behind the flower, I used Elizabeth Shaw orange chocolates as I'm not keen on mint (I had to make sure they taste good!)

I used:
Stamps - Circle Circus
Ink - Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa
Card - Bashful Blue & Chocolate Chip
Ribbon - 5/8" Grosgrain in Chocolate Chip

If you don't want the recipient to ruin the card getting to the choccy, use a non permanent adhesive.

Hope you like it!
Kathy.

Tree Trimmings Duo

This is the last of the three cards we made at my last workshop. It's another simple but effective card using a little DSP from the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' kit, some baubles I stamped the cut out (they're easy to do, honest!) & a little ribbon to finish.

I used:
Stamps - Tree Trimmings
Ink - Real Red, Chocolate Chip & Old Olive
Card - Dark green from my stash (you could use Handsome Hunter), Very Vanilla & Real Red & some Gold satin card from my stash
Simply Scrappin' - Christmas Jingle
Accessories - 1/4" Grosgrain in Real Red

Thanks for looking!
Kathy.

Silent Night - Flowersoft

This is another of the card my ladies made at last month's workshop. It's a nice simple card that you could make loads of with no effort, the image is so detailed you don't need much else.

I used:
Stamps - Silent Night
Ink - Basic Black
Card - Basic Black, Whisper White & Silver from my stash
Accessories - Flowersoft in Polar White

Hope you like it!
Kathy

Fresh Cuts - Chalked

This card is so simple to make, I stamped the image using versamark ink & used chalks for colour. I then matted & layered some co-ordinating card onto a card blank I'd made. I topped the image off with acetate as I find the chalk comes off (even with hairspray/fixative). the acetate is secured with brads.

I used:
Stamps - Fresh Cuts
Ink - Versamark
Stampin' Pastels
Card - Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink & Sage Shadow
Accessories - Pretty in Pink brads from the Soft Subtles collection
Medium Window Sheet

Thanks for looking,
Kathy

Fast Flowers Bag

I made this cute little bag to hold one of my necklaces, I've got 29 mor eto go as my son's school have asked for 30 (with necklaces). At Christmas, Mother's Day & Father's Day the School buys some gifts and then sells them to the children for £1 so the child can choose a gift for their Mum, Dad etc. I love the idea (my son does too), & we raise some oney for the school at the same time! I'm making the necklaces at cost price so the school should get a nice little profit for my efforts.

Luckily the bag is the easy bit as I have a Sizzix die for it, best get started then!
Kathy.

Bella Toile Blue

Thought you might like to see one of the creations we made at Abi's Stampers 10 meeting last week. It's a lovely way of using one of the new background stamps - Bella Toile & the new border punch - Eyelet Border.

Products used:
Stamps - Bella Toile, Oval All & Touch of Nature
Ink - Brocade Blue, Bordering Blue & Night of Navy
Card - Brocade Blue & Whisper White
Punches - Eyelet Border, Scallop Oval & Corner Rounder
Tools - Sponge Dauber

Thanks Abi for a fun morning & some great inspiration,
Kathy.

Christmas Jingle Teabaging

Here are 2 versions of one of the three cards we made at my last workshop (did that come out okay?). Anyway, we had fun teabagging the punched out pieces of Designer Series paper which is part of the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' kit. And I still have loads left!!

We used:
Card - Green velvet card from my stash for the base
Gold satin card from my stash
Paper - Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin'
Punches - Scallop Oval & Oval & Corner Rounder
Accessories - Gold brad
Gold peel off greeting

I think my ladies are looking at their paper in a whole new light!

Thanks for looking,
Kathy

Busy Bee

I'm very sorry I haven't posted for a little while, but I've been a very busy bee with next month's workshop. Everyone should go away with at least 6 cards, and some bits & pieces to make some more! I'm nearly done so I can now concentrate on doing my cards & gifts for this year, & doing a bit more blogging!

It's also half term, so I've been spending some quality time with my lovely lad, Ben. We've been clearing out his bedroom to make room for Christmas. I didn't realise he had so many toys until we had to go through the lot to see what he wanted to keep, sell etc! We've also had a couple of his friends round & we all made some pumpkin fridge magnets & decorated some chocolate coins for Halloween. I love getting children to be creative & they're so proud of their efforts!

I've also done a big tidy up of the house as I've let my Hubby & son get away with too much lately. My other half is now complaining he can't sit still just in case I dust him! ;) I know it won't last, but I can try once in a while.

Anyway, keep looking, because I've got some more inspiration coming up in the next few days, promise!
Kathy.

Christmas Jingle #5

Last one for a while I promise!

I used:
Simply Scrappin' - Christmas Jingle
Card - Old Olive & Really Red
Accessories - Gold brads

Thanks for looking,
Kathy.

Christmas Jingle #4

Not many more to go now, but still loads left from my kit!

I used:
Simply Scrappin' - Christmas Jingle
Card - Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Punch - Scallop Square
Peel off greeting

Happy Crafting,
Kathy.

Christmas Jingle #3

I did warn you there were going to be some more Christmas Jingle cards coming your way!

I used:

Stamps - Season of Joy (for greeting)
Ink - Chocolate Chip
Card - Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Simply Scrappin' - Christmas Jingle
Punches - Oval & Scallop Oval

I love the Reindeer, so elegant! Thanks for looking,
Kathy.

Christmas Jingle #2

This is another card I made using the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' kit.

I used:
Stamps - Tree Trimmings
Card - Old Olive & Very Vanilla
Ink - Really Red & Old Olive
Simply Scrappin' - Christmas Jingle
Accessories - Designer buttons Latte mix
Crochet thread

Several more cards made using this kit will be posted in the next few days, so keep poping by for inspiration!
Kathy x

Best Yet

I must sort out the camera settings as this one didn't come out right, but I don't have the card anymore to try again! I made it for a work colleague who wanted an engagement card.

I stamped the inside of the card & the envelope to match as I think it makes it a little more special.

I used:

Stamps - Baroque Motifs & Best Yet
Ink - Brocade Blue
Card - Brocade Blue & Very Vanilla
Ribbon - Brocade Blue Grossgrain
Accesories - Hodgepodge

Hope you like it!
Kathy.

Tags for All Card #1

I don't know what I've done, but this picture hasn't come out quite right! Anyway, here is another card using the home-made backing paper, notice how I've used a couple of thin strips down the side, so keep your off-cuts!

I've also used a stamp from the Tags for All set, I inked using the Stapin' Write markers, leaving out the "To" & "From" so it could be a topper.

To finish it I used the new 2 way glue pen with Dazzling Diamonds glitter, the pen gives precise application, love it!

I used:

Stamps - Tags for All, Snow Burst
Ink - Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Ballet Blue
Card - Whisper White, Night of Navy
Stampin' Write Markers - Rich Regals
Punches - Scallop Edge
2 Way Glue Pen
Dazzling Diamonds

Happy Crafting!
Kathy.

Tree Trimmings #2

I made this card with some more of my home-made backing paper, together with the new Tree Trimmings stamp set. The stamps are so detailed & give an excellent impression every time, love 'em!

I used:
Stamps - Tree Trimmings, Snow Burst
Ink - Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue
Card - Bashful Blue, Night of Navy & Whisper White
Dimensionals

If you wanted to you could use a little Dazzling Diamonds glitter as an accent, or maybe the new designer brads (check out the new catalogue, they're fab!)

Thanks for looking,
Kathy.

Abi's Stampers 10 Workshop

Here are the two cards I made at Abi's Stampers 10 workshop last month. They're so fab I thought you'd like to see them.

The first one was made using the Circle Circus stamp set, love the colour combo.

The second was made using the Pocket Silhouettes set, such a great idea. I've sean some other cards made using this technique on the In Love With Stamping site, check it out if you have the set.

Thanks for looking,
Kathy.

Christmas Jingle #1

This is the first of many cards I will be posting that I made using the new Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' set. I hadn't bought one of these sets before, but I will be buying more soon as they're great!

The set consists of :
6 sheets of die-cut card stickers, 2 each of 3 designs
6 sheets of double-sided papers, 3 each of 2 designs
8 sheets of textured card stock, 2 each of 4 colours

The colours in the set are Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Old Olive & Very Vanilla, a lovely combination.

It's fabulous value, and if you love DSP, there's a co-ordinating set called Merry Moments which is definitely on my wish list! To top it all there's a matching stamp set, Tree Trimmings, which I have used here.

Hope you like it!
Kathy.

Snow Burst Stars

I started this card by making my own backing paper with the Snow Burst stamp set. I first used a sponge dauber to make a soft sponge effect with Bashful Blue ink. I then used each of the stamps in a different colour blue ink, finally I stamped with versamark & embossed with white powder & then another embossed with silver powder. I love making my own papers as I know nobody will do exactly the same as me, so it's unique.

I used:
Stamp Set - Snow Burst & Loads of Love (for greeting)
Card - Night of Navy, Whisper White
Inks - Versamark, Night of Navy, Brocade Blue, Ballet Blue, Bashful Blue
Embossing Powders - White & Silver
Punches - Star, Oval & Scallop Oval

Hope you like it!
Kathy.

Melting Pot

Great News! :)

My melting pot arrived last week after being stuck in the Royal Mail strike & we got to have a play on Saturday, it was great fun!

My December workshop will be jewelery making using the melting pot, as we should have made all our Christmas cards by then!

The cost will be £5, and will include all the findings etc. We should all be able to make 2 sets of necklace & earrings. If we get time we'll make some more!

Places are limited, so contact me if you would like to come.

Happy Crafting!
Kathy.

Silent Night #1

This card was made using the emboss resist technique, I stamped the church image in Versamark ink on Whisper White card, embossed with Clear emossing powder & then, using a brayer, inked the card all over using Brocade Blue. A lovely technique I'll be playing with more, I'm sure.

I used:

Stamp Sets - Silent Night & Best Yet(retired hostess set)
Card - Brocade Blue. Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink - Versamark
Clear embossing Powder
Ribbon - 5/8" Grossgrain in Brocade Blue & 1/4" Grossgrain in Night of Navy
Punches - Scallop Oval, Oval & 1/4" Circle

Happy Crafting!
Kathy.

It's Beautiful Chocolate

This was going to be one of the make & takes from Saturday's Catalogue Launch Party, but we didn't get the chance to have a go at stamping & embossing onto the new Window Sheets. I went totally overboard with projects, I now have enough for the next few parties!

We used:
Stamp Set - A Beautiful Thing
Stampin' Around Wheel - It's Beautiful
Card - Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Window Sheets - Thick
Ink - Chocolate Chip, Versamark Pad & the new Pen
Clear Embossing Powder
Punches - Scallop Circle, 1-3/8" Circle & 1-1/4" Circle


Thanks for looking!
Kathy

Garden Dream Noteblock

This was made with the Garden Dreams stamp set, together with a sentiment from the Curvy Verses set.
I stamped & coloured in a square of Whisper White card to go on top of the noteblock. The rest of the sheets were stamped using black ink, but not coloured in.
I punched a 3/4" circle in all the sheets to accomodate the pen, which I put a cut down pink sheet inside to match.

I used:
Stamp sets - Garden Dream, Curvey Verses
Ink - Basic Black
Card - Whisper White
Stampin' Write Markers - Rose Red, Regal Rose, Always Artichoke
Noteblock & Pen - available from most stationers

Thanks for looking!
Kathy.

Circle Circus Calendar

I just love this set, hope you love this project as it's another of tomorrow's make & takes!

I used:
Stamp set - Circle Circus
Card - Elegant Eggplant & Very Vanilla
Ink - Elegant Eggplant
Ribbon - Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grossgrain
Calendar available from most good craft shops

Thanks for looking!
Kathy.

New Catalogue Launch

THE 1ST OF OCTOBER HAS FINALLY ARRIVED! :)

THE NEW CATALOGUE IS NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER FROM, GET YOUR WISH LISTS STARTED, THEY'E GONNA BE BIG! ;)

Come and join me at my Launch Party on:

SATURDAY OCTOBER 3RD
10AM TIL 4PM
CARCLAZE WI HALL
ROBARTES ROAD
ST.AUSTELL

Entry is free, there's a raffle, refreshments, make & takes & demonstrations all day. Come for an hour, or two, or stay all day! Everyone is welcome, bring a friend!

Hope to see you there,
Kathy.

Tea Party Notebook & Pen

Here's another of my make & takes for Saturday, another of Abi's great ideas, thanks Mum!

I used:
Stamps - Playful Petals
Ink - Certainly Celery
Card - So Saffron, Pretty in Pink & Certainly Celery
Designer Series Paper - Tea Party
Ribbon - Certainly Celery from August's free ribbon bundle
Gold brad
Punches - Scallop Circle, 1-3/8" Circle & 1-4" Circle
Notebook - available from most stationers
Pen - the type that have a clear barrel & comes apart

Another easy-to-make gift idea, hope you like it,
Kathy.

Circle Circus on Acetate

I made this using some of the products in the new Catalogue out tomorrow, not long to go now!

The stamp set is Circle Circus, which I love as it's so versatile, I know I'll be using this set so much in the coming year. All the stamps fit the various Circle punches so no fiddly cutting out, if you like medallion style cards, this is the easy way to acheive that look.

I also used the new Window Sheets, they are available in two thicknesses & I've used the thicker one as the card base. You'll notice from the back view that I used punched circles to hide the adhesive, the recipient's name & a message can also be be written here.

I used:
Stamps - Circle Circus
Window sheets - Thick
Card - Whisper White
Ink - Brilliant Blue, Tempting Turquoise
Punches - Scallop Circle & all the Circle Punches!
Gem Brads - from the Pretties Kit but will be available separately in the new catalogue
Dimensionals

It's a more striking colour scheme than I usually go for, but I was in "Bold Brights" mood that day!

Thanks for looking!
Kathy.

Circle Circus Necklace #1

Here's another of my new jewelery projects, my melting pot hasn't turned up yet (boo hoo), it's stuck in the Royal Mail while the strike is on.
Never mind, I'll just keep making them the old way, still easy peasy.

I used:
Stamps - Circle Circus
Ink - Chocolate Chip
Punch - 1-1/4" Circle
Ribbon - Gold Elastic Cord
Accesories - Stick on Gems

Hope you like it!
Kathy.

Garden Dream #1

This card was made using the new level 3 Hostess set Garden Dream, I love the flowers, leaves & the gorgeous hummingbird in this set.

I used the new 2-way glue pen with Dazzling Diamonds on the flower stamens, this gives just a touch of sparkle, the pen is fab for giving precise placement of glue.

I used:
Stamp set - Garden Dream
Card - Whisper White, Rose Red, Regal Rose
Stampin' Write Markers - Bold Brights & Rich Regals
Ribbon - 1/2" Striped Grossgrain in Pretty in Pink
2-way glue pen
Dazzling Diamonds
Punches - Corner Rounder, Scallop Oval & Oval

Happy crafting!
Kathy.