Sew shabby

Hello lovely people,

Well, we haven't seen much sunshine so far for our cottage holiday in Dorset but have still enjoyed some lovely walks and a visit to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, which were beautiful.

Now it is of course time for a new challenge at In The Pink and our theme this time is...

VINTAGE / SHABBY CHIC

I have been enjoying making cards with a slightly shabby chic feel lately and the one I am sharing today was actually requested by my hairdresser for her Mum's special birthday.
It is very similar to a layout I did recently and it was so good I just had to use it again, but this time with a sewing machine image from Pink Petticoat.  It's a sweet and simple design but perfect for dressing up with lots of pretty embellishments.

And how timely that one of the magazines I subscribe to had a free gift of sewing themed charms so I added one on here!
I added extra prettiness to the digi image with liquid pearl dots on the flower centres and Frantage round the edge.

I've popped a little tag behind the image with the special greeting on it; it's a cute way to add an interactive touch I think.

Card recipe;
Image: Material Girl (daisies) - Pink Petticoat
DP: Vintage summer basics - Maja Design
Corner swirl stamps: set 68 - Corners - LOTV
Frantage: Shabby white by Stampendous - from Live & Love Crafts
Lace: Hermione - The Ribbon Girl
Seam binding / all flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Pearl head pins: The Ribbon Girl

Copic colours;
Sewing machine body: W00/0/1
Flowers: RV91/93/95 & BG93 for leaves

If you haven't already done so then do pop over to In The Pink and check out the gorgeous creations from the rest of the Pink Ladies.

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Hugs,

Kat xx

Challenges I am entering;
1.  Bunny Zoe (flowers and charms)
2.  Live and Love Crafts (inspirational collage)
3.  Inky Chicks (use a metal embellishment)
4.  A Creative Romance (girly cards)
5.  Simon Says Stamp (anything goes)

Shabby Tilda

Hello lovely people,

I am back with my second card of the day and it's a mid-way reminder for the current challenge at A Little Bit Crafty.  If you are looking for my card for In The Pink then just scroll down :-)

So, just to remind you, this month's theme is...

FLOWER POWER

This Tilda stamp recently 'appeared' in my craft room so I thought I'd show her a little ink!  I am quite liking the shabby chic look of late so I have distressed and inked the edges of the DP.
Strangely considering the challenge theme I didn't add any extra flowers as I liked the clean layered look.

I tried to keep the colouring soft to match the DP and added teeny dots of liquid pearls to the bunch of flowers.

Card recipe;

Image: For you Tilda - Magnolia

DP: Vintage Spring basics - Maja Design

Seam binding / twine: from The Ribbon Girl
Dies: Leaf and swirl, Tilda lace - Magnolia
Sentiment: Happy circular sentiments - LOTV

Copic colours;

Skin: E0000/50/000/51/21

Hair: E23/25/27
Outfit: Booo/41/91/93
Shoes: W0/1/2/3 & W3/5/7
Flowers / heart: RV91/93/95
Leaves: G40/YG61/G21
Ground: W0/1/2/3/4

If you pop over to A Little Bit Crafty you can check out the fabulous creations from the DT.  This is my last guest DT card for them so thanks for having me along ladies :-)

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Hugs,

Kat xx

Challenges I am entering;
1.  Sweet Magnolia (include a sentiment)
2.  Tilda's Town (fave colouring medium - Copics!)
3.  Simon Says Stamp (die crazy)
4.  Simply Magnolia (anything goes)

Happy 10th Birthday LOTV!

Hello lovely people,

I took the opportunity of the extra crafting time over the Easter break to make a card to celebrate LOTV's 10th birthday and for a couple of challenges.  I decided on a shabby chic look so the edges of the DP have been distressed, inked and stitched.  I also stamped a little scroll detail in 2 corners.

I experimented with a few new things on this card, one of which was adding a little pull-out tag.  Its a great way to add an extra little message and makes the card more interactive :-)

I also added lots of pretty flowers and another first for me... some pins to add to the shabby chic look.

This is one of the older LOTV stamps in my collection but I like to go back and make sure the older ones get loved too!
Of course, the shabby chic feel wouldn't be complete without a little scattering of Frantage so that's in there too!

Card recipe;

Image: Cake glorious cake - LOTV

DP: Vintage summer/autumn basics - Maja Designs

Lace: Hermione - The Ribbon Girl

Flowers: all from Wild Orchid Crafts

Seam binding / twine: The Ribbon Girl

Pins: Teardrop ivory pearl pins - The Ribbon Girl

Tiny tag: Sentiment tags (set 24) - LOTV

Large tag: cut by hand and letters are a Quick Kutz die alphabet

Copic colours;

Skin: E0000/50/000/51/21 & R30

Hair: E42/43/44

Cake: YR30/E81/E41

Top / candle: B41/91/93/95

Skirt / cake icing: RV91/93/95

Flame: Y21/23/YR23

Wings: RV0000/000/91/93

Ground: T0/1/2/3/4

I hope you are all having a lovely Easter weekend :-)  I have been up to my parents with Dr Hubby and my brother and his girlfriend were there too.  We had a lovely time including an Easter egg hunt - you are never too old for one of those!  Ooh, and I made some mocha cupcakes decorated with mini eggs...yum!

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Hugs,

Kat xx

Challenges I am entering;

1.  LOTV (10th birthday card)

2. Inky Chicks (shabby chic)
3.  Bunny Zoe's Crafts (distress)

Happy bird-day!

Hello lovely people,

It's a flying post from me this morning as I very nearly forgot to write it - oops!  I am continuing my guest DT spot at A Little Bit Crafty and have a mid-way reminder of our current challenge which has the theme...

THE BIRDS AND THE BEES

Since I did bees last time I have gone for birds on this card and brace yourselves, it's a bright one!

The image is part of a set from Digi Stamp Boutique so I have some other cute images to use another time.  I added some Stardust Stickles to the hats and the fun sentiment comes with the images :-)

Card recipe;

Image: Sweet birdie set - Digi Stamp Boutique

DP: XOXO - American Crafts

Loopy edge: Martha Stewart border punch

Twine: Ivory button twine - The Ribbon Girl

Buttons: from stash

Copic colours;

Pinks: R81/83/85

Greens: G000/00/BG34

Yellows: Y15/17/38

Beaks: YR14

Ground T0/1/2/3/4

If you pop over to A Little Bit Crafty you can check out the fabulous creations from the DT.

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Hugs,

Kat xx

Challenges I am entering;
1.  ABC (J is for just as you like)
2.  That Craft Place (anything goes/Easter)

Party time!

Hello lovely people,

Hurrah, it's the weekend!  I am heading off to Supercar Saturday at the Castle Combe Circuit this morning; a day to raise money for the Stroke Association by enjoying some fast cars.  If the weather is nice we will drive there in our very own fast car, our little Caterham Seven :-)

Ok, onto the crafty stuff and I have a card to share with you using another of the wonderful All Dressed Up images.  I have used another of the sweet Party Girls and she just had to be pink and girly!

I am fast running out of this beautiful Maja Design Sofiero DP and it was limited edition - maybe I should get some more right now ;-)
I have seen people using wax paper to help 'release' intricate die cuts from the dies and thought I would see if standard greaseproof paper would do the same... it does!  These die cuts have been a nuisance in the past and they just popped right out :-)
Ok, I know you want a little close up of the star of the card so here she is...

Card recipe;

Image: Three Little Party Girls - All Dressed Up

DP: Sofiero - Maja Designs

Dies: Spellbinders timeless rectangles, Marianne Design Anja's vintage swirls

Flowers: from Wild Orchid Crafts

Sentiment: Kaisercraft mini stamp

Copic colours;

Skin: E0000/000/00/21/11 (a new combo I was trying)

Hair: E23/57/59

Dress: RV0000/000/81/83

Ribbons: R81/83/85

Don't forget we still have our Halloween Challenge running and we would love to see your spooky creations - there are some super cute images available in the All Dressed Up store including a freebie!

Thanks for visiting,

Hugs,
Kat xx

Nearly forgot...

Hello lovely people,

Apparently having a few days off work has led to me completely losing track of what day it is and very nearly forgetting to do this post for Crafty Little Fairies!  This wouldn't have been so bad except that I also forgot to take the photos of my card and spent a good yesterday evening while trying to get a photo that wasn't awful.  Special thanks to Dr Hubby for holding lamps whilst I played with camera settings.  UDATE: Photos retaken this morning; still not much light but better than last night!

Ok, onto our theme for this week and that is...

Autumn colours

Our sponsor this week is My Crafty Heart with a £10 voucher :-)

This was a tough one for me as I almost never use this colour palette but I did have a new (for me) LOTV stamp to play with and found a scrap of suitable DP hiding in my stash and this is what I came up with;

I hesitate to inflict another poor photo on you but here is the close up... *winces*

Card recipe;

Image : Take it Easy from LOTV

Copic colours;

Skin: E0000/000/00/51 & R30
Hair: Y21/YR23/E31
Hat: E57/47/49
Chair (wood): E23/25/57/47
Chair (seat): Y21/YR23 & YR18/09
Dog: E40/41/42 & E42/43/45
Socks: E40/41/42
Drink: YR30/Y000/Y11
Grass: YG61/63/G94
Book: G94/99 & T0/5

Thanks for visiting and for bearing with my terrible photos,

Hugs, Kat xx

Stripy

Hello lovely people,

I have yet another busy weekend of fun as I am on a hen party at Center Parcs this weekend!  I'm sure we will all be very well behaved, no shenanigans whatsoever...ahem.

While I am away, it's time for a new challenge at Totally Gorjuss and our theme this week is...

Stripes

I have had the idea for a card with 3D candles on it in my head for some time and finally had chance to make it.  It came out pretty much how I wanted!  Can you see the stripes?!

The candles are just rolled up DP with a little bit of bakers twine stuck inside - very easy :-)  They are quite sturdy but I think it's going to need a little extra padding and postage to get to the recipient...my father-in-law...hope he likes it!

Card recipe;

DP: MME Lost & Found 3 - Oliver

Twine: Hemptique from Craft Obsessions

Sentiment: Kaisercraft

I hope you can join in our challenge and if you need any more inspiration please head over to Totally Gorjuss to see what my teamies have created :-)

Thanks for visiting,

Hugs,
Kat xx

Butterflies

Hello lovely people,

I hope as this posts that everything has gone to plan and I am enjoying a weekend with family celebrating my parents' 60th birthdays :-)

It is time for a new challenge at Totally Gorjuss and this week the theme is...

Anything goes

Oh so easy!  We are sponsored by Craft All Day who have a fantastic selection of craft goodies available in their store.

I thought it was only appropriate to share the easel card I made for my Mum's 60th birthday.  I did take a photo from the side but it was rubbish so I just have the one from the front.

This is the first outing for my new butterfly stamp and it is so beautiful!

I cut one of the butterflies out to put on the bottom...it just needed a little something else down there!

Card recipe;

Image: Butterfly Flourish Swirls from Chocolate Baroque

DP: MME Lost & Found - Blush

Fancy edge: Martha Stewart edge punch

Thanks for visiting and I hope you can join in our challenge; go on, it's such an easy one!

Hugs,
Kat xx

Here come the girls...

Hello lovely people,

Wow, can you believe that it is now August?!  Someone needs to tell that to the weather though - my garden is well watered so can we have the sun back now please?

You may have spotted that today is Thursday and you know what that means... a new challenge at Lili's Little Fairies and this week we have the theme of...

Here come the Girls

So, we want to see one of the many gorgeous LOTV stamps featuring girls, fairies or female bears.

Our sponsor this week is Crafty Ribbons with a £10 voucher so you could snap up some gorgeous girly ribbon treats if you win :-)

I love going back to old stamps I haven't used for a while and falling in love with them all over again, like this cute ballerina.

I based my card on this lovely sketch from the Papertake Weekly Challenge;

I am totally loving my new fancy rectangle dies and just about managed to squeeze the image onto this one!  I have added a little glamour dust to her tutu and hearts, and also around the sentiment circle.

I created the little memo pin myself; they are so easy to do, just wind some thin wire round a pen a couple of times then bend the wire at 90 degrees and voila!
I also like to match my pearls to my colour scheme so I buy lots of white pearls and colour them with Copics.

Card recipe;

Image: Little Ballerina from LOTV

DP: MME - Blush

Die cut rectangle: Spellbinders timeless rectangles

Sentiment: Happy Circular Sentiments from LOTV

Seam binding / flowers / pearls: from Wild Orchid Crafts

Copic colours;

Skin: E0000/000/00/51 & R30

Hair: E40 & Y11/21

Leotard/shoes: RV0000/000/00/11

Tutu: RV0000/000/00

Ground: T0/1/2

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges;
1.  Papertake Weekly (sketch #81)
2.  Wild Orchid Crafts (birthday party)
3.  Divas by Design (favourite colour combo - pink with more pink!)

For loads more inspiration and beautiful girly cards head over to Lili's Little Fairies and see what my teamies have created.

Thanks for visiting,

Hugs,
Kat xx

Fur-tastic!

Hello lovely people,

Just a very quick post from me today to share my card for the new challenge over at Totally Gorjuss and the theme is

Fur-tastic!

So, we just want to see something furry on your cards; I have gone for a bunny but there are lots of other furry things out there!

As you can see I had a CAS moment and am frankly just amazed that I didn't get any smudges on all that white space!
I also had a really wonky camera moment so please forgive me!

Card recipe;

Image: Balloon Bunny from LOTV
Er, that's it folks!

Copic colours;

Bunny: E40/41/42/43 & R00/01

Balloon/cake: B12/14/16

I would like to enter this card in the current challenge at A Creative Romance, which has the theme of 'No DP.'

Head on over to Totally Gorjuss for lots more furry inspiration and I hope you can join in our challenge for a chance to win a voucher to spend over at Heather's Hobbie Haven :-D

Thanks for visiting,

Hugs,
Kat xx

Sweet

Hello lovely people,

Ooh, look, it's still sunny!  I have had the last couple of days off work and have totally enjoyed the sunshine pottering in the garden.  I have so far harvested some broad beans, new potatoes, a few strawberries and lots of lettuce, and have so many raspberries I (almost) don't know what to do with them!
This morning I went for a long walk with Dr Hubby and for anyone who knows what I am talking about, found 17 Geocaches :-)
Oh, and I also found a bit of time to make a couple of cards while I was recovering from all that sunshine and outdoor stuff :-)

So, down to the important business and that is a new challenge over at Totally Gorjuss and this week the theme is...

Sweet!

Our sponsor this week is Crafters Companion with a voucher to spend in store on some of their many goodies; now that is sweet!

I have used one of my favourite Stamping Bella stamps and after my last few cards which had a lot of embellies I kept this one really plain as I like to change things up every now and then!

I paper pieced the dress and then added a touch of shading/folds with a couple of Copics.

Card recipe;

Image: 'Ava loves to celebrate' by Stamping Bella

DP: Maja Design Vintage Spring Basics
Lacy edge: Martha Stewart edge punch

Pearls: from The Hobby House

Copic colours;
Oops, I think I threw the list away by accident - sorry!

Thanks for visiting and I do hope you pay a visit to Totally Gorjuss to see what my teamies have created.

Wishing you all a lovely sunny weekend :-D

Hugs,
Kat xx

What's new?

Hello lovely people,

The last few days have been very exciting as I have had several parcels of craft goodies delivered!  I often end up ordering lots of stuff all at once and then the fun starts!  I was also lucky enough to win some fabulous candy from Jen of The Tiny Blue Butterfly; if you haven't seen her beautiful CAS cards then I suggest a visit to her blog...after you finish reading my post of course :-P

So, some of the things I have treated myself to include;
- the final set of Copic sketch markers so I now have them all :-)
- some fab dies
- some frantage (eventually took the plunge!)
- an enormous load of flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts - well they were on sale so it would have been rude not to ;-)
- a huge pile of Maja Design papers as they are my favourites

Ok, after all that waffle I do have a card to share with you using just a few of my new items;

I had a go with the Frantage and got it all over my craft room floor and myself but had a lot of fun doing it!  I think  need a little more practice to get a slightly lighter scattering but I'm pretty happy with my first attempt and it is soooo pretty!
Talking of pretty, here is a close up of little Ava;

I have used lots of layers as usual but without matting them onto Kraft card or inking the edges for a change and really like the subtle effect.  You can see some of my new flowers on the corner of the card and one has had a little Frantage treatment as well :-)

Card recipe; 

Image: Ava from Saturated Canary

DP: Maja Designs - Sofiero (limited edition) - available from Live and Love Crafts

Seam binding / flowers / pearls; from Wild Orchid Crafts
Twine: from my candy win

Frantage: Shabby White from Live and Love Crafts
Sentiment: from LOTV
Leaves: Memory Box Lavish Branch die
Butterflies: Impression Obsession die

Copic colours;

Skin: E0000/000/00/51 & R30

Hair: E51/53/55

Eyes: B91/93

Pink bits: RV11/32/34

Green bits: G40 & YG61/63

Shoes: E42/43/44

Pale grey bits: N0/1/2

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges;

1.  Saturated Canary (Celebrate)
2.  A Creative Romance (ribbon or twine - both in my case!)
3.  Sweet Stampin' (butterflies and bows)
4.  The Ribbon Girl (add a bow)
5.  ABC (quite a few layers)

Thanks for visiting and for sticking with my super long post today.  I hope to be back soon to share some more new stuff with you all :-)

Hugs,
Kat xx

A Gorjuss birthday fairy

Hello lovely people,

Our theme for the Totally Gorjuss challenge this week is 'Happy Birthday' so a really easy one for you!  We are sponsored by Whoopsi Daisy so I have used one of their images and surprise, surprise, I've gone for a fairy!  I am always drawn to the fairies but they do have other pretty images too!

I had to make this card in double quick time so it was a super simple layout and NO stitching or embellies!  Unless you count a bit of stickles and a few pearls :-P
I picked up the ric rac in a tiny little shop whilst on holiday in the Peaks last week; they had so many gorgeous ribbons I had a hard time not buying a metre of everything!

Card recipe;

Image: sheet 280 from Whoopsi Daisy

DP: free with a magazine!

Border: Martha Stewart edge punch

Ric rac: East of India (available from Corvette Silo)

Pearls: from The Hobby House

Copic colours;

Skin: E0000/000/00

Hair: E35/37/47

Dress: RV52/63/55

Wings: RV0000/000/01

Mushroom: E42/43/44 & YR30/E40/E50

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges;
1.  ABC (pretty in pink)
2.  The Ribbon Girl (pink)
3.  Bunny Zoe (wings)

For some more inspiration pop over to Totally Gorjuss to see what my lovely teamies have created and I hope you will join in our challenge.

Thanks for visiting,

Hugs,
Kat xx

In the Garden

Hello lovely people,

I am always amazed how quickly Thursday rolls around and I get to share some more LOTV loveliness with you.  Yes, it's time for a new challenge at Lili's Little Fairies and our theme this week is 'In the Garden' so there are plenty of LOTV images that would qualify for this.

And look what you could win this week; these 2 fab stamps from Stamposaurus!  These would be a great addition to any stamp collection.

I have been trying to keep my cards simple so they are quicker to make but I still seem to spend ages playing with the layout... *big sigh.*  I thought if I left off any girly embellies this card would work for both male and female recipients.  I even left my usual stitching off this one; not sure if it looks a little bare now.

The image is from one of the LOTV Sketch pads which I have coloured with Copics and I just love this cute pair in amongst the flowers!  I love the animal images but I do find them tricky to colour... I guess I just have to practice some more ;-)

Card recipe; 

Image: from LOTV Sketch Pad 2 - Jack, Patch, Puss

DP: Bo Bunny - Welcome Home

Label shape: cut with Cricut

Sentiment: Personal Impressions Big Sentiments

Twine / heart button: from stash

Copic colours;

Dog: E43/44/47 & YR30/E40/E50

Rabbit: E41/42/43 & YR30/E40/E50

Grass: YG03/17/67

Flowers: Y11/15/17 & YR23/24

Don't forget to pop over to Lili's Little Fairies to see the rest of the Fairies' beautiful creations and I hope you are inspired to join in our challenge.

Thanks so much for visiting,

Hugs,
Kat xx

Drinking buddies

Hello lovely people,

I am off on my holidays tomorrow so you won't hear much from me for the next week!  Dr Hubby and I are off to the Peak District so I have everything crossed for some sunshine!

I thought I would share one more card with you before I go and I may have something to share mid-week if Mr Blogger plays nicely!

I made the memo pin from some wire and used my fave combo of seam binding and lace layered together with a pretty bow. I have had comments on my neat bows before so let me tell you there is much fiddling with them to get them how I want them and I always put a line of glue along the back of the cut edges to stop them fraying.

Having paper pieced the dresses there wasn't much of the image left to colour with my Copics and I then cropped the bottom off to give a square image.

Card recipe;

Image: Stamping Bella - Victoria and Juliette's Night Out (available at Dies to Die For)

DP: Maja Designs Vintage Spring Basics

Seam binding / pearls: from Wild Orchid Crafts

Lace: from The Ribbon Girl

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges;

1.  Bunny Zoe (case a DT card - I have used the pretty colours from Silvie's card)
2.  As You Like It (fave rubber stamp - love this one as it is so versatile and I have used it loads both coloured and paper pieced)
3.  A Creative Romance (anything goes)

Thanks for visiting,

Hugs,
Kat xx

Anything goes with flowers

Hello lovely people,

Well, this is more like it!  Two days ago I was freezing and now the sun has got his hat on and it makes such a difference :-D

Our theme at Totally Gorjuss this week is 'Anything Goes with Flowers' which seems appropriate as my garden is certainly blooming beautifully at the moment.

I have made a pretty girly card this week with lots of peachy pink tones and of course, those all important flowers.

I guess this is what my Mum would call a 'kitchen sink' card i.e. it has everything on it except the kitchen sink!  But look how pretty all the embellies are...

The image is from Saturated Canary and seems quite simple to colour at first but then you realise there is quite a lot of hair...

Card recipe;

Image: Cerridwen by Saturated Canary

DP: Pion Design - Fairytale of Spring

Label shapes: cut with Cricut

Flowers: from stash (crochet one made by my mother-in-law)

Foliage: Memory Box lavish branch die

Lace: from The Ribbon Girl

Pearls: from The Hobby House

Copic colours;

Dress/butterflies: RV42/R20/R30

Skin: E0000/000/00 & R30

Hair: Y11/Y21/E31/E40

For more flower power head on over to Totally Gorjuss to see what my teamies have created and I hope you feel inspired to join our challenge.

Thanks for visiting,

Hugs,
Kat xx

Spots and stripes

Hello lovely people,

I have everything crossed that Blogger does as he is told and posts this for me while I am still in bed after going to see Muse at the Ricoh stadium in Coventry last night :-)

Next up, thank you to Donna and Nat for becoming my latest followers - so lovely to have you along!

And eventually on to the main business; my DT card for Lili's Little Fairies and the theme this week is 'Spots and Stripes' - easy peasy right?  I have done a masculine card this week which is so not my forte, but this LOTV image made it a breeze to make  :-)

I have let the DP and image do most of the work here and only added a little twine and button for embellishment.

I have used an image from one of the new LOTV sketch pads, and wow, these are totally amazing.  They are such good value at £6 for 30 images and give you a really nice selection of images to work with.  The card is a lovely weight and the images colour up beautifully with my Copics.

Card recipe;

Image: from LOTV sketch pad 2 - Jack, Patch and Puss

DP: Simple Stories Documented

Sentiment: Personal Impressions Big Sentiments

Twine/button: from stash

Copic colours;

Jack: E41/81/42, YR30 (R000 for paws)

Cake: W00, YR30, Y0000 (E81 for spots)

Red spots/cake filling: R27/29/37

Candles: B93/95 & YR23/27

Do check out the creations from the rest of the Fairies and then break out those spots and stripes and join in our challenge for a chance to win £10 to spend over at My Crafty Heart.

Thanks for visiting,

Hugs,
Kat xx