Happy New Year to you all

Hi everyone, just a quick hop on here to wish you all a Happy New Year and to say a huge thank you for all your visits and lovely feedback over the past year. Oooooo and all the inspiration you've all given me too, you really are all a talented bunch !

I really do hope that 2010 is a good year for you all in every way, this past year definately has had it's ups and downs for me personally but i love the optimism that a new year brings...onwards and upwards thats what i say :) Love to you all xxx

Inky Individuals

Hello everyone, just a super quick post, am still here, struggling on with Chrimbo preps......soooooo much to do and so little time, Santa will soon be here, yay, lol. This is a post just to let you know i've started a wee social network site, you can find it on my left hand sidebar....it's for all things crafty...xx

Create4fun challenge

Hello everyone, just a quick post to share the only card i've made since my last post...doing well arn't i? At this rate i'll have them all done for christmas 2010, lol...i have resigned myself to the fact now that my shop bought cards will come in very handy ;D

So heres my card which i thought i'd enter for this weeks challenge at Create4fun which is to create an Easel card


Papers are October Afternoon and the sweet image is from Whiff of Joy, thank you Elaine...am working on your gift as i speak :)


Thank you all for your lovely feedback on my last card, so kind to not give up on me when my posts are so far and few between at the minute.

Right i best get back to it, take care everyone xx

Dear Santa

Apologies for my long absence again,it's been a busy time for me lately, so much so i'm seriously behind with my christmas cards. My plan is to make at least one a day now to try and catch up but even then i'm definately falling short.

So here's one i made last night using a gorgeous stamp i recieved from my lovely friend Elaine, thank you so much hun. I used the delish new October Afternoon papers and elements 'Very Merry', the image is mounted on a K&Co tag which i added Fluffy stuff and glitter to for a bit of Christmas bling.


Rubbish photos...wish we could have a few more sunny days if only to be able to get better pics, lol.



Before i go i'd just like to say a sad farewell to the girls over at Diestodiefor,especially Tracy..you've been an absolute treasure... i'm so sad to be leaving the team :( :( Thank you so much for having me !

I've also realised i owe Janet from Pink Gem designs a huge thank you too, i ended my time on the team a while ago now so this is long overdue ! Sorry Chuck, thank you for having me too.

It's been such a lovely year for me crafting wise, I've enjoyed all the teams i've been lucky to be a part of and hope that once Christmas is out of the way i can settle into a more active blogging routine again....here's hoping.

Take care everybody, love Katy x

Easel card..

Well i had to have a go at one of these didn't i ?

I was thrilled to find Christy Croll's digi stamps on Etsy...you may recognise her work from Stampingbella...Huggabugs. Now i always find Stampingbella stamps a bit on the small side for me to work with , although i love them regardless... so having them available digi style is fab cos as you know you can resize them.



Such an adorable image...shall have to have more :)


Thanks for popping by xx

Award thank you's :)

Thank you Laura and Rachel

1) Where is your cell phone? - Bag
2) Hair? – boring
3) Your mother? - stressed
4) Your father? - tired
5) Your fav food ? - steak
6) Your Dream last night ? - nightmare
7) Your fav drink ? -belini
8) Your dream goal ? - contentment
9) What room are you in ? - bedroom
10) Your hobby ? - ART
11) Your fear? - nothingness
12) Where do you want to be in 6 years time ? – there
13) Where were you last night ? - here
14) Something that you aren't ? – comfortable
15) Muffins ? - please ?
16) Wishlist item -wi fit
17) Where did you grow up ? -yorkshire
18) Last thing you did ? - bath
19) What are you wearing ? - Pj's
20) Your T.V ? - off
21) Your pets ? - companions
22) Your friends ? -valued
23) Your life ? - overwheming
24) Your mood ? - overwhelmed
25) Missing someone ? - always
26) Vehicle ? - want
27) Something you're not wearing ? - tiara
28) Your fav store ? - Harvey Nicks
29) Your fav colour ? - turqoise
30) Last time you laughed ? - work
31) Last time you cried ? - J
32) Your best friend ? - O/H
33) One place you go to over and over ? - work
34) One person who emails regularly ? - Mr Anjelpoloi
35) Fav place to eat ? - pub
36) Facebook ? – addictive

Now i'll explain a few answers...phew thats hard just using one word !

So working backwards... Facebook is a fairly new thing for me but it's a great way of keeping in touch and is effortless, so if you're not on there yet whatta ya waiting for ?...my fav place to eat is The Slater Arms in Bradley, a family run pub that serves the most delish Sunday Roast...Mr Anjelpoloi...i dont actually know this person but boy does he email me regular...one day i've won the lottery, the next would i help his sick mother and give him some cash...i mean come on i'm getting a tad bored of it now !...seem to always be at work now, not that i'm complaining of course...long time looking for work so am very happy and of course i'm in craft heaven :)...goes without saying O/H is my bestest friend....J makes me cry...teenagers are a NIGHTMARE....turqoise is a beautiful colour...Harvey Nicks...window shopping only till i claim my prize from Mr Anjelpoloi of course then i'm off on a mega spending spree...wanna come ?...not wearing a tiara, never have either...want a vehicle, slight hitch cos i cant drive though..I'm always missing someone, arnt we all ?...next bit explains really why my blogging has been hit and miss..overwhelmed...need to learn to say no or stop myself when i start to offer to do something above and beyond what is necessary, why do i do it ?..i dont know..friends...valued..ARE YOU STILL THERE ? :) pets....i love my cats..gonna skip a few...lol....where do i want to be in 6 years time...there is quite vague i suppose but honestly who knows where they'll be in 6 years, i could be living it up in New York, i could be destitute and living in a B&B or i could be right here..one things for certain, you just never know :)...my fear..ooooh this is a biggie for me, you see i dont fear death itself but if i try to imagine nothing forever i get this horrible sinking feeling and my heart lurches, not something to dwell on for too long i think... moving on, lol...fav drink is a belini, sparkling wine and peach puree....dream goal?...i dont want to be rich (thank you Mr Apopoodlopili )just content....lastly, thats if you've not fallen asleep :) my hobby, well i put Art because...well thats what it is, in whatever form be it cardmaking here or the first steps i've taken with journaling/painting..it's all creative expression in one way or another..

So i've waffled on...time for a cuppa before bed, thanks Laura and Rachel for this award xx

Couple of cards

I know, I know...no excuses :)

Here's a couple of cards i've managed to squeeze into my busy week, the first is following a sketch for the challenge here at Create4fun.


The stamp is from Diestodiefor a design by Gillian F Roberts 'Nativity'...just adorable :)



This one was just for fun, i LOVE the expressions on their faces, another fabulous digi from Mo Manning


papers are October afternoon, sentiment is a digi stamp from Papermakeup stamps


I decided to colour with prismas..love how you can give pretty colours a grungy tone with the pencils.



So my day out last week was fabulous...i took some pics to share but will save that for another post i think...also have to say thank you for awards i have been given recently...again i'm gonna save for another post...i just wanted to get some new cards on here...where does the time go ?!!!! I'm also busy learning how to knit...my poor fingers are paying the price today...and i've just signed up recently for one of Suzi Blu's online art classes...so excited to get started with this :) So as you can see lots going on behind the scene so to speak.

My apologies to dear friends who i've not emailed for yonks...shall catch up soon.

Right think i'll treat myself to a long soak in the tub then a few glasses of something nice before Xfactor...enjoy your weekend everyone xx

Still alive...

Hello :) well i wish i could say my long absences are due to travelling to far flung exotic places but no....tis just work ! The past month has been pretty hectic and i wont prattle on again explaining...honestly must take first prize for THE worst blogger at the mo. So to make up for it in a wee way i have not one but two cards to share today.


Both are Paperartsy stamps, the first is from a Nut and Meg plate...a sample i made for work on a Woodware round card blank, Making Memories papers, Bazzail strip and Papermania gems, and the second is the Noel 1 plate, Fancy pants papers, Habico ribbon and a button from my stash



So tomorrow is my day off, first one i've had for a while...got a special visitor coming so hoping to have a lovely day out somewhere and have a bit of retail therapy and perhaps a yummy tea ...cant wait !

Enjoy whats left of the week everyone and hope to be back again soon, thanks for all your lovely comments and for your patience, normal service will resume soon honestly xxx

Stamp with fun challenge # 30

Have to say i love this sketch from this weeks challenge at Stamp with fun, one i shall use again !



I used a Fairiesong image my lovely friend Laura sent me a while ago, papers are Bo Bunny...another treat from my good friend Elaine, thanks hun :)





I'm doing quite well so far this week...might just be another card tomorrow...have a little hoard of goodies put away at work, it's just too tempting, lol. xx

Just Magnolia Challenge # 28

At last i've had time to play along with a challenge, it's been a hectic couple of weeks here with little or no time at all to make anything due to work commitments...loving the job but it seriously intrudes on creative time :( So i'm looking forward to the next few days off, a chance to catch up with everyone and hopefully get back on track with my cards...


Here's my entry to this weeks challenge at Just Magnolia which is this lovely sketch set out by Martine.

For my card i chose this cute Magnolia Santa and put him together with gorgeous papers from the Jolly by Golly Mini deck from Cosmo Cricket available at The Craft Emporium, Papermania felt snowflake ribbon from last winters collection, sentiment is SU, Woodware Fluffy stuff and glitter and adhesive snowflakes from Craft for Christmas.

I always seem to miss an element in the sketch, the sentiment ended up at the top, lol...tis a minor detail i know :)



Have a great week everyone xx

Mojo Monday Sketch

Just popped on here in between watching the Martha Stewart show on QVC...good job i've not been paid yet otherwise i'd be going crazy shopping, lol. Anyway here's a card i made earlier for this weeks sketch at Mojo Monday



It's not exactly true to the sketch but inspired :)



The super cute stamp is a new release from CC designs available here at Diestodiefor as is the Martha Stewart punch...papers are OA Farm fresh...LOVE these! button and ribbon from stash....Ooooo and sentiment is SU..nearly forgot that.


Ok I'm off to watch the last 10 minutes of the show...enjoy the rest of your week everyone xx

Kraftin Kimmie Stamps Challenge 2# Buttons

Hello everyone, hope you're all having a good weekend ? Kimmie has kindly invited me to join the team as a Krafty Friend for this weeks challenge, thank you Kimmie :)The theme this week is BUTTONS ...again nice and easy, we all love to use buttons !



This is the last in the set of four girls from the collection which this time i coloured with copics. The papers are Cosmo Cricket, forgive for forgetting which one...i'm so tired..shall explain, as is the sentiment and the ribbon and button are from my stash.

I've had such a great day today, the craft shop I work for, Samuel Taylors, held a craft event in the village to celebrate their 60th anniversary...boy have we been busy....I've been running a little make and take session all day and have to say everyone i met was so nice ! Hello to Kirsty, it was really good to meet a fellow blogger and I got to meet my dear friend Elaine *waves* thank you so much hun for being so kind and thoughtful, again so nice to meet you.

So i'm now enjoying a good cuppa before i put my feet up for the night...sheesh i'm so tired...gotta do it all again tomorrow !

Kraftin Kimmie Stamps Challenge 1# Birthday

Well it wouldn't be right if i didn't give this weeks challenge at Kraftin Kimmies a go would it ...incase you've missed my last few posts, lol, i LOVE the new stamps here !

The challenge is to create a birthday card, as simple as that :)




I've gone for a really girly, very pink look for Posy, using Doodlebug papers and some pretty gingham ribbon. Again i've coloured her with koh pencils...now i did toy with redoing the image, the shade around her isnt right but i'm so short of time this week with work that i've had to leave it as it is :(

Enjoy the rest of your week everyone xx

Yes I know another makeover

I know, I know, lol, yet another one ! Dont know what it was about the last one, it seemed cramped somehow, anyhoo much happier now honestly xx

ps...have given the 'Other Blog' a little revamp too !

Messy at last !

A peek at my latest attempt at something different for me ...here

Lillith

Hurray, hurray for these new stamps, they've definately kick started my mojo again, i just adore them ! This one is Lillith, what an expression, lol.


I used koh pencils to colour her, the papers are Cosmo Cricket Earth Love.


Cant wait to see Annies new designs, i'm certain they'll be just as fab as these !

Enjoy your weekend folks xx

Be Happy

Morning everyone, at last I have a card to share with you ! So sorry for my lack of posting (again) it's been a busy week what with starting the new job and all I've wanted to do at the end of the day is put my tired feet up and chill.....

When I saw a preview of the new line of stamps at Elaines shop designed by the artist Annie Rodrigue I just had to have them, they are a mixture of cute and quirky...totally me :) This is Charlotte...I just love those button eyes !!




I decided to colour her with Koh pencils for a more grungy look..boy I forgot how time consuming this is ! Papers are 7Gypsies, I stamped the heart and added the sentiment and button, ribbon is available at Elaines shop.



I think I can safely say I'll be back soon...have more rubber waiting to be inked up ;)

Have a lovely day folks xx

Another little peek

result of this afternoons me time here

I know, I know....

Where have I been ? Well I'm spending most of my time silently blog hopping looking for inspiration, there's not been much in the way of crafting at all for what feels like an age, not like I used to anyway...sure you've noticed with the lack of activity on here.

Lots going on in 'Real Life' which as you know can have a knock on effect on blogging etc...but I'm hoping to have everything settled in the next few weeks. The good news is I GOT THE JOB !! hallelujah :D It's only part time but it is a definate step forward for me...has been a tough year in lots of ways....added bonus it is work in a local craft shop :) me thinks I shall have to becareful not to spend my wages each month, lol.

Anyway here's a card I finished this morning using another fab Stampotique stamp and MME papers


I added crackle glaze to the image but it's so subtle I'm not sure you can tell ?



Hopefully wont be too long before I post again, take care, Katy x

A little peek

No card from me today but here's a little peek of what I've been up too :D You can see the full pic on my 'other' blog.

Happy Birthday Tracy !

Hi Everyone, just a quick post to share a card I made for Tracy over at Diestodiefor...Happy Birthday hun, hope you have a fabulous day !



I used my fave Alota stamp, Cosmo Cricket 'Earth Love' papers, CCSR sentiment and handmade flower.

I've now set up another blog here for all my arty style projects, thought It better to keep them separate from my cards...do pop by and take a peek xx

Feeling inspired !

Hellooooooooo :) Yep I'm still here ! As you know I've been having a hard time with my desire to be creative so I thought It was perhaps time I stretched myself and explore the limits of my artistic nature. Now It's a Loooooooong time since I've picked up a pencil and drawn anything and as for painting well past attempts have been a complete disaster !

I recently bought this beautiful book by Kelly Rae Roberts, just what i needed to give me the kick up the derriere, lol. It's jam packed with Ideas, beautiful to look at and inspirational to read.


So very nervously I'm sharing a peek of my first attempt at trying to create something in this style. I'm working on a flat canvas, about 6 x 10 inches, even though It's relatively small It's quite daunting for me. I decided to try oil pastels rather than attempting to paint with acrylics and use a brush, with the pastel crayons you can blend with your fingers and I thought I would find this a little easier to control.


It's far from finished, I still have colour to add here on her face and her hair and
hopefully If I dont completely ruin it, lol, I'll show you the completed canvas soon :)

Have a lovely weekend xx

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge

Morning everyone, here's my card for this weeks sketch challenge over at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge, a nice and easy sketch to follow which I found really helped my creative crisis, lol.

My lovely friend Elaine sent me this adorable little stamp to play with, thank you Elaine :) It's 'Phoebe' from the Ketto range at Stampinbella, so sweet !

Papers are Cosmo Cricket 'Earth Love' from The Craft Emporium..love this collection, such pretty colours :)
I used my fiskars border punch and a heart punch, the hearts I coloured a touch with copics though I'm not sure you can tell on the pic.


I added Glossy Accents and Stickles too.

Thank you for all your lovely messages of encouragement, hoping to catch up with you all once I've got the dreaded housework out of the way...have a lovely day xx

ps .....dont forget to check out todays offer here at Diestodiefor, every day running up to Tracy's birthday on Monday there will be some fab offers !

I'm still here :)

So sorry everyone for not blogging much the past few weeks, I'm still here but continuing to battle with my lack of creativity..It's a real pain in the ****. This card I've been faffing around with since last Thursday would you believe ! I know, It's not like it's full of detail or a complex LO..anyhoo I decided to just get it finished this morning so i can move on and hopefully get myself in a creative mood this aft.



I've used one of the cute new 'Dressy Miss Anya's' which I also decoupaged to try and make up for the boring LO...lol.

Papers are Magnolia Lazy Summer Days..both papers and stamp are available at Diestodiefor, have to say the Magnolia papers are divine, they have a lovely slight texture to them, beautiful quality.

Flowers are Prima Hydrangea, ribbon from stash, BG buttons, sentiment from Sassycrafts

Coincidentally Tracy at Diestodiefor has a week of offers to celebrate her up and coming birthday on Monday next week and the first one includes some of the Magnolia Lazy Summer Days papers ! This offer is only for today so be quick... Pop over here and take a peek ...

Thank you all for your good luck wishes for the interview i had last week, soon as i hear anything I'll let you know...really hoping i get the job !!

Right thats me for today, hopefully I'll have more to share tomorrow...fingers crossed xx

You can fly too

Morning everyone, just a quick post today...rushing to get ready for an interview i have today...fingers and toes crossed !

Here's an ATC i made whilst playing around yesterday, i really am enjoying this kind of thing at the mo but i know it's quite a step away from my usual style..might set up a separate blog for this in the near future.



Okay told you it was a quickie...gotta dash xx

Anyone for Anya Challenge

Thank you so much everyone for all your comments on my last post, for sharing your ideas ...so nice to know I'm not alone :) Feeling a little more up for doing something creative today :) ...at long last !

This card is for the latest challenge at Anyone for Anya...Buttons, Bows and brads.


Now i did experiment slightly with the image, one of the new releases from The Greetings Farm at Diestodiefor it was intended to go on a box i tried to make the other day which ended up in the bin. I stamped her onto Kraft card stock to see the result with Copics...quite a subtle finish but the card stock very absorbent so not something I'd do too much otherwise the ink wouldn't last two minutes !

All the papers are Cosmo Cricket Earth Love ...ribbon and button from stash.

Enjoy your day everyone x

I Give up !

Ok that's it....I give up ! I know we all jest about losing our mojo but mine really has deserted me :( I've been trying hard for over a week now...the last project is THE only creative thing i've done....two projects in the bin from todays efforts, what a waste of time and worst of all stash ! It's not like i dont have anything to play with, two DT deliveries and personal purchases...you'd think the cards would be flying out, but no... nada...not a damn thing and it's driving me bonkers and making me miserable..just like someones flipped the switched...gone :( I'm BORED ....anyone recommend a good book to read, lol x

Drama Queen

Morning everyone,well after a whole week of feeling totally mojoless i finally had a little creative play with this ATC 'Drama Queen'. I've loved Kate Cranes work over recent months in Craft Stamper and her projects in this months issue inspired me to make this..



Although i enjoy cardmaking and all things cute i adore art thats quirky and dark. I really enjoyed making this, although i'm not sure i'm happy with the background colour...but it's all experimentation and the process is quite theraputic. It's not pretty but then it's not meant to be :)

Have a great weekend folks x

New Look

Hello everyone, well i've changed my blog...wanted a 3 column blog for a while....it could change again as i'm not sure about this one ? I've added a link on the left to where i got this template from :)

Here's a card and gift bag i made for a RAK swap over on PCP..


Image is Manga from Funkykits plus used a Tim Holtz ledger stamp for the background
Papers are OA and Cosmo Cricket from The Craft Emporium
Ribbon and button from stash


The gift bag is really simple to make, you can find the tutorial over on Splitcoaststampers

Have a lovely day x

Broomstick Milly

Here's a card i made thats been sat on my craft table for a week because i couldn't decide whether to add a sentiment or where to put it ? Decisions, decisions, decisions...i'm hopeless at times, anyway i thought i'd share it regardless.


This is Milly on a broomstick by Pink Gem Designs available here


papers are MME available at The Craft Emporium


I found this sentiment banner on my blog hopping travels, cant remember where but it was free so if anyone would like it let me know and i'll happily email it to you.

Sketch and Stash challenge 17

Hi everyone, hope you're all enjoying the Bank Holiday weekend ? Here's my final Christmas card of the week, lol, this is for this weeks challenge at Sketch and Stash.



Another of Mo's brilliant illustrations...Toboggan


Once again i used October Afternoon 'Good Cheer' papers, the sentiment came from the co-ordinating sticker sheet.


Such a fun image ! x