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

'Tis the season

Oh yes another Christmas card...and another one almost finished ! Very unlike me all this early Christmas card malarkey but i have to say it's probably got something to do with fabulous digi downloads that are out there and the scrummy Christmas papers too...talking of which just come home to find my Cosmo Cricket order has arrived from The Craft Emporium, oh my, the Jolly By Golly collection is FAB, great service again Lyn, thank you :) I'm now officially on a stash ban by the way ;D !

So this sweet image is designed by Sharon, 'Keeping Warm' i just couldn't resist, how cute !

Papers and die cut elements are Good Cheer...October Afternoon from The Craft Emporium

Before i go just wanted to say thank you for the lovely feedback left this week, hope to catch up with you all over the weekend, have a good one x

New Cosmo Cricket papers !

Oooooooo I've been waiting impatiently for these to arrive but HURRAH they are now in stock at The Craft Emporium ! Earth Love, The Boyfriend and Jolly by Golly, the latter being my favourite :) More yummy loveliness ! Lyn also has the 6x6 mini decks but i think you'll have to quick if you have had your eye on these !

Jingle Bells

Ok Christmas cards are usually a bit of a drag for me...why I'm not sure ? BUT when i spotted this new illustration over at Mo's Digital Pencil i felt inspired ! I just love it....made me smile it did, think it's the rotund character with the dainty legs and love how Mo's captured them both in full song, lol.



Papers are October Afternoon 'Good Cheer'...yummy loveliness from The Craft Emporium...thank you Lyn :)
coloured with copics
Computer generated sentiment

Do pop over and have a look at Mo's work there's something for everyone and i'm sure you'll be blown away by her talent !

Hello everyone, hope you're all enjoying your weekend so far, here's another card made earlier this week using the same collection of Cosmo Cricket papers, they are double sided and it's sooooo hard to decide which side to go for because both are equally yummy ! Love Love Love them :)



The image is a Diane Duda design from Sugar Nellie, thank you Laura.
Sentiment is from a cut out sheet Cosmo Cricket.

Well did you all watch X Factor tonight...wasn't Daniel something else ?.... unbelieveable that someone with such talent has never had the chance of a break before now..fantastic !

Gertie

Hi Everyone, a quick post today, wanted to share this card i made for Elaine this week to say thank you for such a lovely RAK i recieved ...this gorgeous stamp called Gertie! Isn't she sweet ? She's from Stampingbella, the Lulu collection.



Papers are Cosmo Cricket 'Early Bird'...gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous !
Coloured Gertie with Copics, added stickles for a little sparkle and gave her dress and the butterfly in her hair dimmension.

Thank you so much Elaine for such a lovely gift, you're a gem.
I'd also like to thank Tracy at Diestodiefor for my birthday pressies, you spoiled me ! and Kim for my gorgeous card and goodies, so thoughtful, thank you !

Have a lovely weekend folks x

My Dilemma solved ..Various Ink Refills

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to share with you today the joy's of Various Ink Refills :) Now i have to admit i was aware that you could buy refills for Copic markers but because i consider myself a little clumsy most of the time i thought i would end up with ink everywhere except in the pen...how wrong i was and how pleased i am i decided to try it out....easy peasy and far more cost effective ( £5.75 ) than buying a brand new pen each time it runs out.


Tis all you need, your chosen colour and the tweezers to remove the nib


There's even a guide on the bottle, better to under fill than over fill otherwise you may have ink leaking.


The nib is easily pulled from the barrel...edited, thank you Cass for the correction, here it tells you NOT to remove the brush tip but refill at the chiseled end...mine seems ok but I'd hate to advise you incorrectly.


You can see if you look at the nozzle on the refill bottle that there is a well of ink sitting there due to a valve so you are in control of how fast the ink will leave the bottle, a gentle squeeze is enough. Once you've finished just push the nib firmly back into place. SIMPLES :)

So economically it makes huge sense to refill the pens, one bottle Should refill a sketch marker 12 to 13 times and a ciao up to 17 times !

I buy my Copic's here at Cult Pens, click on the link and it will take you to the refills, the little button on my sidebar will take you to the whole range that they have which is in my opinion the best I've seen, they also have the brand new pale colour set....sigh..tis on my wish list :)

Back later with some cards x

Scary Mary

Ha ha...dont know why i called this image Scary Mary, it's actually called Relaxin and is from the Stampotique range over at The Stamp Attic...so...different ? A friend of mine gave me some images to play with and i have to say i thoroughly enjoyed myself with this one. Maybe not every one's cup of tea but i like them :)


I coloured her with copics and distress inks and the papers are all October Afternoon from The Craft Emporium...have to order more of these Lyn ;)...i made the HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGE flower myself from a strip of paper that i fringed, folded into itself and stapled together before adding the spotty button to the centre. The sentiment is computer generated using The Gingerbread House font.



Before i go I'd just like to say a fond farewell to all the girls on the Tuesday Taggers team, thank you so much for having me on board and i wish you all the very best...that's all for now, I'm off to have a relaxing colouring in session, my new pens have arrived...hurrah :) xx

Ben

Hello Everyone, hope you all had a good weekend ? Here's a card i made for the copic challenge over on Papercraftplanet...link on my sidebar...It's another of Mo's gorgeous illustrations..link on my sidebar...isn't he cute ? Ben is a freebie Mo generously gave to the group, not sure if he's still available but worth a look.



It's a very unfussy simple card but i sized the image quite large so didn't want to crowd it with too much.


So my weekend has been quiet but very productive, had a HUGE declutter session resulting in an overflowing bin...a few items finding new homes via Freecycle, wellies worn once, old but working Digi box and a stack of cardmaking mags that are going to a ward at the local hospital for the patients to use...had a rumage through my stash and have a decent pile of papers and other bits and bob for them too. You may have noticed the Ebay button appear again on here, not a lot listed but some nice stamps and a few items of clothes, worn once or not at all...ends tomorrow.

Have a nice week all xx

Basic Grey Challenge sketch #1

Hello everyone, hope you're all well and looking forward to the weekend ? My week got off to a good start with the thank you cards i had to make and here's one i made following the sketch over at Basic Grey Challenges to say a big thank you to Lyn for her lovely surprise parcel :) suddenly feeling all Christmassy, lol ;)



I really enjoyed this sketch, shall use it again i think, and thanks to Laura for this image, she's so pretty



All papers are BG Lemonade from The Craft Emporium , image is Faeriesong art stamp...i think, ribbon, flower and button from stash, sentiment is Pink Petticoat tiny tags download, Doodlebug brad. Coloured with copics.




I've a dilemma now, does anyone else who uses copics go through the skin tone colours quick ?...i've used 2 Skin white pens in about 4 months, it's the colour i use for the base tone and to blend but crikey this is ridiculous..i even started using bristol board, which i love, to stop the paper/card from soaking up the ink. So i'm without my essential pen till Tuesday..order in with Cult Pens as i speak, can highly recommend shopping here, free P&P over £10 and the best selection of individual pens...so anyway if my images look as if they've been enjoying some sun over the weekend this is why :(

Have a good weekend all xx

Papertake Weekly sketch 21

Hello everyone, i'm a little late with my post for this weeks challenge at Papertake Weekly, apologies Dawny...had problems with Blogger again :(

It's my last week on the GDT here, thank you so much for having me Dawny and the rest of the team, i've really enjoyed it !

So here's the sketch for this week..



and here you can see i rotated the sketch for my card

This cute little boy is available here...Bee Crafty downloads, this weeks sponsor
All papers and diecuts are October Afternoon....again :)

Thanks for popping by xx

Tuesday Taggers ...Bird's and the Bee's.

Hi everyone, it's time for another challenge at Tuesday Taggers and this week the theme is Bird's and Bee's.



I know, I know, lol....all October Afternoon goodies again ! available at The Craft Emporium
Not sure about the brown ribbon mind you...not sure why i chose it really there's not a bit of brown anywhere else on the card...ah well hindsights a wonderful thing :)

Do check out the rest of the DT's work here, they've some fabulous projects to inspire !

Oh and Happy Birthday to my fellow teamie Janet....hope you've had a smashing day !

Birthday Candy winner :)

Hello everyone, firstly i'd like to say a big thank you for all the lovely birthday wishes, it really has made my day extra special. I'd like to say a personal thank you to Tara for my gorgeous parcel...you're so thoughtful and kind...shall give you a ring tomorrow ...and thank you also to Lyn for my surprise parcel...i was doing a happy dance around the kitchen, lol....i LOVE OA ! Just about to email you now :)

So on to my candy........again thank you everyone who entered, it's quite a modest bundle of goodies, i know there are some amazing candies out there at the moment but everything is from my personal stash.

So without further ado the winner is JUDY at Judyscraftymoments !

Well done Judy :) If you'd like to email me at katysbloggeroo@yahoo.co.uk and i shall post it out to you.....enjoy xx

Birthday Candy !

As a little thank you to all my followers and regular visitors i thought it was a good time to offer a little candy to celebrate my birthday next week and my bloggoversary which was back in June, how time flies !

My candy includes.....
1x sheet of Cherry Hill diecuts and papers...well i just about can part with these :)
3x Panduro Hobby boy/girl/baby cut outs...so cute !
7Gypsies blank acordian purse to decorate
The ribbon wallet i made a few weeks ago...including a few surprises inside, wink wink, nudge nudge..
Various punched shapes, dewdrops, buttons
Leaf and flower diecuts...white so you can colour to coordinate
2x Cuttlebug small embossing folders
Ribbon and Lace
A compact craft Knife
1x Grungeboard flourish
2x Papermania flowers

well thats it so far but i'll keep adding a few surprises in between now and my birthday on Monday. All you have to do is leave me a comment here and i'll use Random number generator to pick a winner on Monday...you dont have to post about it on your blog, it's open to all who currently follow or who have left me lovely comments in recent months xx

I'm a Kitty, who are you ?

Oh i just love this image...it's sooooooooooooooo CUTE :) I think most of you now know i have a slight obsession with October Afternoon goodies, the designs and quality of this range are just yummy and fun to use.

This is an image from the 'Wild card' collection Ducks in a Row, perfect to make a fun quick card. Lyn at The Craft Emporium stocks a fantastic selection of October Afternoon, pop over and take a peek here...my personal favourites are Cherry Hill and Ducks in a Row but honestly there's tons to choose from...Good Cheer is next on my wish list :)

Everything on this card is from the Duck's in a Row collection apart from the ribbon and button.

Enjoy the rest of your day folks xx

Papertake Weekly challenge 'Seasonal'

Back again with a super quick post...i keep losing connection tonight, downside of having mobile internet :(

So here's my GDT card for this weeks challenge at Papertake Weekly which is to create a card that reflects a season....so i've gone all out Christmas, my first this year !

I've used Winter Milly from Pink Gem Designs currently unavailable but restocks due early next week, by coincidence Janet is this weeks sponsor too and is offering Skipping Milly as this weeks prize !


Papers are K&Co
SU scallop circle punch and round sentiment
Woodware fluffy stuff and glitter for the snow
coloured with copics
past sketch from CCSR



Janet also has some fabby candy on offer to one lucky person, a choice of 6 stamps from the range...do pop over and take a look !

Tuesday Taggers 'Flowers'

Morning everyone,time for another challenge at Tuesday Taggers, this week we'd like you to create something floral inspired...dont forget it can be a card, tag, atc or whatever you fancy.

I found a fun project over on Splitcoaststampers...a fab visual tutorial to follow ...it's so easy to make and quick and i'll definately be making this again.


The little card slides out of the flower pot, such a cute idea.



Paper is OA available from The Craft Emporium
Sentiment is True Friendship by Teresa Collins again from The Craft Emporium
Flowers were a gift from Julie created with punches
Leaves are diecut using Sizzix Flowers, Leaves and Branches set
PinkPetticoat tiny tag sentiment
Fiskars border punch

I'll be back later today with my GDT card for this weeks Papertake Challenge, have a lovely day everyone xx

Fairy Princess Manga style

I had a bit of fun altering one of the new Manga style stamps from Sugar Nellie this week, a card i made to send to Laura which i can share now as she recieved it today.
I gave her a crown and wings making her a fairy princess and i quite liked the finished result so my other stamps had better watch out, lol..i could be doing this again !



All the papers are October Afternoon from The Craft Emporium, i coloured the image with copics and added the crown and wings before i then gave it all a coat of Claudine Helmuths gel medium, a matte finish glue/glaze, great for collage pieces as it helps to smooth out the surface...again from The Craft Emporium.I added a border created with a fiskars punch and added some pink gingham ribbon...



Before i go here's a great book i've been reading this week, it has tons of really useful hints and tips on saving money, something i think alot of us are trying to do as things are at the moment. It covers just about everything,food, clothes, community, having fun, beauty...olive oil is a fab moisturiser/cleanser, holidays, home and money, it's author India Knight writes it in an entertaining way...even a section on Crafts...gives you lots of helpful websites to look up and a book that you can dip in and out of...highly recommend it :)


Byeeee xx

Mo's Digital Pencil

I recently discovered Mo's beautiful Illustrations via a fellow blogger, thanks Elaine, if you are not familiar with Mo's work do pay her a visit here you are in for a treat, what a talented artist ! I fell totally in love with 'Bella and Bronte', what lovely characters, the expression on Bronte's face made me smile. Mo's illustrations are available to buy in her Etsy shop, a link found at the top of her blog.


I loved colouring this image !
Papers are Bloom MME available at Diestodiefor
Sentiment Hero Arts
Copics and Koh pencils
Dewdrops



Have a lovely day everyone xx

Papertake Weekly Challenge

Here's my GDT card for this weeks sketch at Papertake Weekly, another nice and simple Dawny P sketch.


The size of this image allowed me to keep it nice and simple,i decided to rotate the sketch.


Image is Bunny Blooms by High Hopes available at Diestodiefor
Papers are BG Lemonade
Bazzail 'Edge strips'
coloured with Koh pencils

Alice in Wonderland

I'm a huge fan of Tim Burton's films, he's worked his magic on the classic Alice in Wonderland, usual cast...Johnny Depp's perfect eye candy though he does look a little different, lol..the preview looks amazing..check it out !

Tuesday Taggers Wall Hanging

Morning everyone, time for a new challenge at Tuesday Taggers..this week we'd like you to have a go at making a wall hanging, any theme. We have a fantastic Tutorial by Emma and Michelle for you to sit back and enjoy and the winner of this challenge will recieve a £15 voucher from our lovely sponsors at The Craft Barn. Please note that when we have a prize to give away we'd be grateful if your creation is made just for this challenge alone.

So onto my wall hanging....Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm well i'm not sure this is finished, i seriously need to invest in some background stamps...it just feels like something is missing, but then this is slightly out of my comfort zone too.

I used a Tim Holtz paint daubber to colour the base, sponged lightly with a pink Adirondack ink...stamped circles and a border in the same colour...the image is from Lisa's altered art, lovely images/collage to download, the rainbow is from a Fancy Pants diecut sheet... punched circles from October Afternoon papers to create the scalloped edge and added doodlebug ribbon to hang.



Check out the rest of the DT's creations...lots to inspire you xx

Hello...........................

No cards to share today, though i have a few projects on the go as i speak that'll be ready for tomorrow. Thank you all for your lovely comments on Saturdays post, the wedding was blessed with beautiful weather, the ceremony was perfect and funny, the groom had written 'help me' on the soles of his shoes, visable once they knelt to take their vows...had us all in stitches, fortunately he'd warned Kelly otherwise i'm sure she'd have been wondering what was going on :) Kelly looked stunning in her dress...a lovely day to remember always, here's a couple of photo's...now my photography skills are pants..however hard i try regular shots are never sharp enough...really must play around with the settings i think or when i can buy a better camera...blaming it on the equipment feels better, lol.

Chris and Kelly....wish i'd got a good shot of her in her dress..stunning !


and the beautiful car


Now i'm always browsing on You Tube...i'm just dying to try my hand at painting....any previous attempts have looked like a 5 year olds..but i'm determined to try and master it, there's so many fab tutorials on You Tube. Yesterday i discovered Tascha's work and i adore this painting ! So i thought i'd share it here with you....enjoy xx

I dont 'do' wedding cards

Well not unless i'm comissioned to make one or in this case have to make one for myself, my cousin is getting married today...just got in from my Aunties house, she only lives a few doors away..it's a hive of activity this morning, with the hairdresser, flowers being delivered...and all round excitement...lovely :) and the sun is shining...hurray !


I cant say that this really shouts wedding card, except for the verse which i sourced from the internet and personalised, but i'm hoping Kelly and Chris will like it.

I used Sizzix die Flowers, Branches and Leaves...i spotted this on a card Cass made a few months ago and loved it. I bought mine from Cuttingedgecrafts, free p&p and super fast delivery. I added a few dewdrops, ribbon and the butterfly is shock horror a peel off ! I'm not a huge fan of peel offs but i think these look nice when mounted onto card and cut out..plus it added a little sparkle to the card.



Right i best get myself organised...lots to do, have a lovely weekend everyone x

Craft Emporium's yummy candy !

Lyn over at The Craft Emporium has just started her own shop blog and to celebrate she's offering some yummy October Afternoon Wild Cards to one lucky winner ! Pop over here and take a look :)

I've only recently discovered The Craft Emporium but can highly recommend ....Fab customer service and heaps of yummy papers, stamps and unique bits and bobs for your cards....i found the lovely Tim Holtz tickets yesterday whilst browsing...see Tara's latest card...xx

Inky Impressions DT call

Morning everyone, here's my entry to the DT call over at Inky Impressions..if you havn't come across these cute stamps yet pop over and have a peek, they are adorable.

Whilst channel hopping last week i stumbled on a show on Create and Craft i hadn't watched before...i think it was Mel Heaton demoing Inkadinkado stamps and she made this fab wallet with a tag inside..when you pull the tag up and down the ribbon moves with it...i thought it was a cool idea but missed the measurements :( How bizzare it was when i was flicking through an old issue of Simply Cards a day later...she had made the same project in the mag ! So yesterday i set about making my own. I used one of the new Manga stamps from Funkykits...unfortunately i dont yet own any Inky Impressions stamps :(


All papers and elements are October Afternoon 'Cherry Hill' from The Craft Emporium...I cant wait for the new OA range to arrive in the UK...i'll be keeping a watchful eye on Lyn's store for them !


Here you can see how the ribbon stretches when you pull out the tag...again decorated with OA, the sentiment is from the lovely Pixie downloads from Charmedcardsandcrafts..the sentiment houses a little pocket which would be nice to pop a gift card in or cash. When you push the tag back down inside the wallet the ribbon moves easily back into place inside the wallet....cool huh?





And finally a close up of the cute Manga image.

Thank you all so much for your visits yesterday and the lovely comments you left for me....hoping to catch up with you all today xx