KazBee Crafts

Magnolia - Make a Tag

2012-02-17T18:30:00.005Z

Oh boy, enjoyed this challenge as I was able to incorporate one of my new mini Tildas - yay!!!

OK so here's the recipe......

ColorCore Cardstock - Tim Holtz & Ranger Distress Collection
Centura Pearl Cardstock - Snow White
Mini Magnolia Stamp - Tilda with Tulips
Spellbinders Nestabilities - Blossom tags and Accents
Magnolia DooHickey - Heart Swirl Branch
Stampin' Up - Decorative Label Punch
Copics & Promarkers
3 Nesting Flower Punches
Grosgrain Ribbon - Primrose Yellow
Mini pearl embellishments
Small eyelet inserted with use of Crop-a-dile

So here is how I put it together...........

I stamped Tilda onto the Centura cardstock and coloured her with a combination of Copics and Promarkers. I cut the base and the second layer from the ColorCore Cardstock; 'Scattered Straw' and 'Barn Door', using the Nesties. The Heart Swirl was die cut from 'Peeled Paint'. I assembled the tag by placing the heart swirl on the reverse of the Tilda label, to the point that I was happy where it would show and glued this to the back of the tag. I then layered the pieces up as above. The flowers were punched from the same colours as the main part of the tag and swirl to keep the theme running through. I wanted to chose spring colours but with a bit of vibrance.

I moulded the flowers by rolling them with a pergamano ball tool on a piece of sponge and curled the petals back to give more dimension. I assembled them and added a pearl embellishment to the center of each. I added a pearl to the scallops of the base layer to add further dimension. I added a co-ordinating eyelet by using a crop-a-dile and threaded through some primrose grosgrain ribbon.

I was pleased with the outcome and will be making some more for my Easter Gifts :)

I am entering this Tag in to the Magnolia Challenge

Magnolia Challenge No. 144 - Make A Tag

Pink, Pearls & Lace - Magnolia Challenge

2012-02-16T15:58:00.002Z

Oh boy, how busy we've been, I can't believe that it is already half-way through February. I've been loom knitting lately and made a few requested 'calendar girls' to make so hadn't had anything new to put up on the blog, but once I find some more time and a little space to work in, I'll be putting up all my makes :)

Well I just love my Magnolias and couldn't resist this challenge, even though I think may only just make it before the deadline! So here she is:

Pink, Pearls and Lace

I used my Tilda with butterflies, bought for me by my gorgeous daughter.

I have coloured her with a combination of my Copics and Flexmarkers. Skin colours of Copics, being E21, E00 and E000.

I cut her out using a circle Nestability and then used a corresponding scalloped Nestie for the mount. The backing paper and the mount have been cut from a pack of First Edition Papers called 'Sweet Owl'. The lace is antique lace from a small boutique near to where I live and the pearls are hat pins. I have used the Magnolia DooHickey die, Swirl Butterfly as my embellishment. this was cut from a Coredinations card stack and the 'stickled' for the sparkly effect.

Hope you like her and I'm entering her in to

the Magnolia Challenge 143 - Pink Pearls and Lace

Magnolia Gift for a Special Friend

2012-01-10T20:47:00.001Z

For Christmas my family spoilt me with some fantastic crafty goodies including some beautiful Magnolia stamps, they know what I love, some Nesties and a Zutter Bind it All.

So one of my first projects was to make a little note pad, I was so pleased with the outcome that I then made one as a New Year gift for a very good friend of the family and my eldest daughters best friend.

I hope you like it.

I bought a small block pad from a local store and used some of the pages from this to form the inside of the pad, the covers are cut from 'Spring Feast' First Edition Papers. Magnolia has been stamped on to Neena card stock and coloured with a mixture of Copic Markers and Flexmarkers. The edge of the Nestie shape has been edged with 'Spun Sugar' Distress Ink.

Our friends name is Vicky and this has been cut, from the same set of papers, using my Cricut Create and Jasmine Cartridge and then covered with glamour dust. The top of the mini pad has been embellished with an assortment of pink, green and yellow ribbons, all colours taken from the papers and Magnolia.

I hope you like it - I'm planning to make another for another friends whose birthday is very soon - after all who wouldn't just fall in love with Magnolia :)

I am entering this into :

Week 138 - Simon Says Stamp Special Monthly Challenge - anything goes

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-01T12:00:00.001Z

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY, HEALTHY & PEACEFUL 2012

HAPPY CRAFTING :)

Hugs Kaz Bee x

Merry Christmas Everyone

2011-12-24T21:21:00.000Z

Well it's Christmas Eve and soon to be Christmas Day

Here's wishing everyone a

Peaceful, Healthy and Happy Christmas

with all good wishes for 2012

Mince Pies and Jam Tarts

2011-12-23T19:57:00.000Z

Next bout of cooking, a few Mince Pies and Jam Tarts

(for those in the household who do not like mince pies).

I have only made a few so far, as I like them fresh and warm from the oven,

but mmmmmmmm delicious

Sausage Rolls next on the menu and maybe some Oreo Cookie Balls :)

Mars Bar Cake

2011-12-23T19:52:00.000Z

Christmas is nearly here and one of my first makes is a Mars Bar Cake; only trouble is, it didn't last long enough and so will have to be making some more!!!

This was all tht was left about an hour after making it!! LOL

It's really easy and quick to make and tastes delicious. There are various methods, which include some with Digestive Biscuits and some with Rice Krispies, others use golden syrup and some margarine or butter, melted with the Mars Bars. The Mars Bars and Golden Syrup/Butter/Margarine are melted together and then the 'Krispies' or crushed Digestives are added till the mixture is evenly coated and will hold together when set. The Topping is solid chocolate and that again is a preference with either plain or milk chocolate; melt the chocolate and then pour over the base and allow it all to set; if you can wait long enough.

Enjoy!

Dorcas Designs Candy

2011-12-23T10:29:00.000Z

Have a look at Dorcas' website - stunning cards and colouring and Dorcas also has some delicious candy at the moment too! Until 30th December 2011.

Yipee!!!! I'm a Winner - Just Magnolia

2011-12-04T23:27:00.001Z

WOW - I can't believe it, what an early Christmas present, I'm been picked as a winner in Just Magnolia's Challenge for 'Pink.White or Red' and this was my entry...... my little calendar girl

I am extremely pleased to say that I have won a fantastic voucher from 'Crafts U Love' and boy is that true, I do love to Craft.

Thank you to all the DT member's of Just Magnolia for all their inspiration - I'm as proud as punch to have won this challenge.

STARCARDS AUCTION for GREAT ORMOND ST HOSPITAL

2011-12-03T20:08:00.004Z

I am very happy to promote and support the auction below, in raising funds for children who require treatment from all over the world, at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Fantastic gift ideas for Christmas, totally authentic and supporting a good cause at the same time, a gift that keeps on giving :)

Starcards Chrity Auction is now live at: http://www.starcards.org

Featuring hand signed items from Michael Crawford (Wizard of Oz), Brian May (Queen) , Alfie Boe (Les Miserables), Kerry Ellis (Wicked), Lee Mead (joseph and his Amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat), Amanda Holden (Shrek)

StarCards are delighted to support and promote worldwide, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. We hope that as a result of our involvement it will be possible for children of all nations who are suffering from the rarest, most complex and often life-threatening conditions, to receive the best medical care that money can buy. With help from our friends and sponsors StarCards organise fundraising events, celebrity visits and charity auctions dedicated to the wonderful work of GOSH.

Calendar Girl - Magnolia

2011-11-30T09:25:00.001Z

Well here's my little calendar girl

This Magnolia is one of my favourites and as I had not been feeling well lately, I sat with a stamped image (on watercolour paper) and coloured her in with my Prisma Pencils, blending with Sansidor. It's one of my first projects with these pencils, and even if I say so myself, I was pleased with the outcome. I did layer her with some Crafter's Companion 'Spray and Shine' afterwards so as to protect her. She is mounted on a mini wooden spoon which I had picked up in a local store months ago.

CLOSE UP OF THE FLOWER

I made the flower by using eight 'foundation white blooms' from Wild Orchid Crafts. I coloured these with Promarkers and dried them with my hairdryer - LOL, anything is used in the name of craft. There are two layers for the base and the other layers are folded and glued to the center, I used a pearl brad also from WOC for the center. (If anyone is interested in how I did them with more info, just let me know and I will put a tutorial together - they are very effective and sturdy, whilst still being flexible). The calendar came from a local stationery store and the ribbon is from my stash.

I kept the project clean and simple so that it would be appropriate for any setting

and finally

MAGNOLIA

JUST 'COS SHE'S SOOOOO SWEET

Hope you like her and the project too - please let me know

I am entering her into the following challenge:

Just Magnolia Wk 134 - Challenge Pink/White/Red

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2011-11-25T22:03:00.001Z

WISHING ALL OUR FRIENDS ACROSS THE POND

A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING, HOPE YOU ALL HAD A WONDERFUL TIME YESTERDAY

ENJOY THE HOLIDAY SEASON

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2011-11-01T17:19:00.001Z

OK, so I know it's November today, but here are some photo's of our Halloween efforts at our house last night, there were a lot more but we were too busy decorating to take more photos - LOL

THE TREE DECORATIONS

HENLEY IN THE HALLOWEEN SPIRIT WITH RACHEL

And here are just a few of the sweets that we put together, there were loads more, but we made the bags and labels for these and covers for the lollies. We had trays of other sweets and some in bowls of the slippery balls that you put in vases, brilliant for Halloween. We also made 'Frankfurter Mummies'. These are frankfurters wrapped with strips of croissant dough, made to look like mummies swathed in bandages. Cooked in the oven and were yummy, hence no photo, all been eaten :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Playing with my Winnings - YEAH :)

2011-10-20T11:32:00.001+01:00

Well I've literally just download the My Memories Suite which I won from Dorcas Designs, thank you again Dorcas, and I'm 'chuffed to bits'. What a fantastic and easy programme to use. Here is my very first creation and this is within minutes of installing it. This is my hubby by the Trevi Fountain in Rome, where we went last year. beautiful City and I can now do the photos and memories justice!

Bit of fiddling around needed I know, but as this was within minutes of downloading but I am absolutely thrilled with the results. This suite is so easy to use and I'm so glad that I have it. I'm looking forward to creating lot's of Memory Books now and experimenting with all the features that you can use.

Oh boy am I a happy bunny :)

OH MY STARS - I'M A WINNER - THANK YOU DORCAS

2011-10-19T21:48:00.001+01:00

OH MY STARS - I'M A WINNER

I'm so pleased to announce that I'm a winner.

Dorcas of Dorcas Designs held a Giveaway of the fantastic MY MEMORY SUITE and I'm soooo pleased to say, I'm the winner. I never win anything and was so surprised and so very pleased.

The software package is amazing and you can visit Dorcas' Blog and find out more about the software by clicking on this link

http://dorcasdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-memory-suite-giveaway.html

Oooohhhh I'm so happy and can't wait to start playing with it.

I would like to say a huge thank you to Dorcas for offering the chance to win and also for her very inspirational blog. Do pop over and have a look, there are all sorts of projects and I just love having a browse.

Sweet Magnolia and Copics

2011-10-13T13:11:00.001+01:00

I was soooo pleased when I saw the theme from Pops for the Magnolia - Anything Goes with Coffee and Cream as an option and also the Copic CMC Challenge of 'Vintage or Distressed' with Copic or Promarkers. So here's my design.

I love this stamp and just knew I had to have her when I first saw her. There are so many possibilities with her, Birthday's Christmas, Wishes, all sorts.

Anyway enough drooling over my stamps, I coloured her with a mixture of Copics and Promarkers, using an assortment of coffee, cream, beige and brown hues. I ummed and arred over whether to distress the edges of the image, but as I liked her just the way she was, I decided not to and so I layered her onto a matt gold background to give an antique feeling and to keep it in line with my design. The backing sheet is actually from a card cut down, I liked the vintage edge and the 'Olde English' text that runs across it - yep it's definately 'Olde English' and nope, I'm not that old!!!!!!

The lace is actually vintage cream lace, which I picked up from a lovely store in Bexhill-on-Sea on the Sussex Coast, it's not a craft shop, just a store that sells all things divine (decadent chocolate for one - LOL). To blend with the cream lace I topped it with a dark brown grossgrain ribbon, giving the coffee effect, more your espresso than your latte look. The sentiment is from my stash, had them ages, and love them and the flowers are a mixture from Wild Orchid Crafts and I believe The Craft Barn in Lingfield.

The flowers are actually cream and brown, although the photo has made the brown ones look red, they're not I promise you - I hope my daughter sorts her camera out soon so I can pinch it off her, the colours come out much better on her SLR than my little point and shoot - oh well.

Hope you like her - have a great day :)

I am entering this card into the two challenges then:

Just Magnolia - Pops - Anything goes with the option of Coffee and Cream

CMC Copic Challenge 28 - Vintage and Distressed Colouring

LOTV Challenge 115 - Let it Snow

2011-10-10T17:54:00.004+01:00

Back to my favourite stamp but with a twist. I've used all sorts of techniques on this card so I hope you like it! camera's playing up so sorry for the dark piccies :(

The card base is pearlescent with backing paper from my favourite stack at the moment, First Edition Festive stack. The ribbon paper is from Papermania and is self adhesive, and I love it.

Now for the technical bits (LOL);

The Faded Jeans backing is from a Tim Holtz Coredinations stack and it has been run through my 'Big Shot' with a Sizzix Embossing folder. I then sanded the card to expose the core. I made the sentiment in the same way. I put a silver eyelet through the tag and added a piece of white organza. This has been added tot he card with 3D foam to add dimension.

The image stamping was a little more involved!

I stamped the image onto Clarity cardstock with Tim Holtz's 'Faded Jeans' Distress Ink, to blend with the Coredinations backing. I then masked the image with the blotted copy of the stamp and I punched a circle to create the moon, which I positioned on my cardstock where I wanted the moon to appear. I then used my brayer to roll across the image to create the night sky. Snowflakes have been stamped onto the main image plate and the tree and snowflakes have been 'Glamour Dusted'. The corners of the image plate have been punched with a decorative snowflake, and I punched further snowflakes to embellish the backing paper.

The final design was finished with a lovely wooden reindeer embellishment from Wild Orchid Crafts.

I hope you like my interpretation of 'Let it Snow' for the LOTV Challenge.

I am entering this into;

LOTV Challenge 115 - Let it Snow

Crafts and Me - Use a Digi Challenge

2011-10-10T12:30:00.001+01:00

I love the digi stamps over at Crafts and Me and seeing that I'm an Aquarian and loving all things, watery and natural, I couldn't resist using their 'Felicia' stamp for this card.

The card base is pearlescent and layered with silver mirri - well what else for a gorgeous mermaid. There is blue baker twine from WOC, to add the extra nautical touch. The background is a wash of 'Dew Drop Brilliance Ink' in Pearlescent, Sky Blue, which I painted in swathes to create the feeling of depth and waves; and so to 'Felicia'.

I coloured Felicia with a mixture of copics and promarkers. I wanted her beauty to show through naturally, hence the colour palette that I chose for her. She is a beautiful image and I highlighted her tail with Glamour Dust. There are blue and green gems, from my stash, forming her stash of jewels and gems along with her collection of shells. The fish have been coloured vibrantly to express the liveliness of the sea :)

The frame is a digi download that I have had for sometime from Cardmaking Downloads, but which I thought complemented Felicia beautifully.i cut the frame carefully and lifted it with 3D foam tape to add dimension. I didn't add loads of embellies as I think Felicia speaks for herself!

Hope you like her and thanks for stopping by:)

I am entering her into

Crafts and Me Challenge 55 - Use a Digi

Button it at Christmas

2011-10-04T16:38:00.001+01:00

Well the weather's still out of kilter, as it's beautiful at the moment and nothing like Autumn. Anyway, I still decided that for the LOTV challenge this week I would use one of my Christmas stamps - LOL don't know why, just love the stamp and wanted to use it :)

So here goes for my 'Button it' Challenge offering

Not sure the photo does it justice, but I was really pleased with the result. The image was coloured with a combination of Promarkers and Copics, with subtle shading with my favourite C-1 Copic marker. The sparkle is glamour dust, which I have added to her hat and fur trimmings and also to the white poinsetta and leaves which are from Wild Orchid Crafts. The buttons are from my stash and I just love them, as is the organza ribbon which is one of the best staples in my crafty stash.

The backing papers are from the Christmas First Edition paperstack, whose designs are just delish; almost breaks my heart to use them - LOL

So I am entering this in the

LOTV Challenge 114 - Button It

So here she is again, with her little doggy,

best friend in the world, in my opinion :)

Thanks for stoping by.

Aqua, White and Glitter - Lovely

2011-09-28T13:10:00.007+01:00

Oh my word, just as I thought we were getting all autumnal the weather goes and finds summer.

It was really misty here yesterday morning, lovely during the day and then the mist rolled in again last night, but today is a beautiful, sunny, glorious day here on the South East Coast.

Well I crafted again and thought I'd use the LOTV Challenge of Aqua, white and Glitter. Love the colour aqua and it works so well for so many occasions. I was tempted to do a Christmas design but with the weather so glorious I just had to sneak another summer inspired feel. Also, I know several folks, who have birthdays late in the year and feel cheated when their cards are always wintery or frosty.

So casting the 'Daddy Long Leg' (crane fly) aside that has decided to join me this is the card I came up with.

(Please see last photo as this has the sentiment on which I realised I'd missed off)!!!!!!!!!

The card is white pearlescent and the backing paper, mounted on mirri card is 'Pink Petticoat', from the Wild Blossoms collection, paper stack. My little fairy friend is coloured with copics and her wings and the dandelion heads are glittered with crystal glamour dust.

I hope you can see this better in the piccie above. The flowers are from my stash and 'Wild Orchid Crafts' including the pearlised brad. The buttons are Papermania. The paper ribbon and crystal hat pins are from my stash and the leaves are cut from white pearlised cardstock with a with a Marianne Creatable die.

Hope you love her as I do :)

Whoops; just realised I'd missed the sentiment off when I saw it on my craft table, so here is the 'finished' card with sentiment!!!!!!

I am entering her into the following challenges:

LOTV Challenge 113 - Aqua, white and Glitter
Birthday Sundaes Challenge 28 - Who's got the Button

Autumn/Fall - it's that time of year

2011-09-25T22:56:00.001+01:00

Well even though the weather isn't quite sure what it should be doing (although I don't mind this last summer rush of sun) it should really be the start of that season full of golds, browns and oranges, so here's my take on Autumn.

I love this Magnolia image and could just picture her on a lovely, windy autumn day, flying her kite over the fields, with the leaves just beginning to fall from the trees - are you getting the scene? :)

I coloured the image with a mixture of Promarkers and Copics and used a basic form of 'pointillism' to create the background. The base card is made from a cocoa cardstock that I had in my stash and the green layer is from a paper stack called 'Spring Feast' by First Edition Papers, (lovin' these papers), this was layered onto gold mirri card. The next layer is 'Rusty Hinge' from Tim Holtz and Rangers Distress Collection. This was run through my GC in an embossing folder and then distressed with sandpaper. All the layers were 'hand' stitched (yep - hand stitched). The leaves were coloured with 'Pumpkin' Promarker and cut using a Woodware embossing punch. The ticket is from a Tim Holtz range which I stressed I think, rather than distressed!!!!!!! and this is sitting in a Magnolia 'Doo Hickey' die, which I just love, cut from 'Dried Marigold' from the Distress Collection Core'dinations stack. There are three little yellow gems to the top right of the image too - just to add a little pazazz :)

Hope you like this fun little card, setting me up for those Autumn days to come. if you click on the lower piccie, it will take you to a close-up; hope you enjoy.

Hugs

Kaz Bee

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Magnolia Wk 125 - Fall/School Time has Returned

Bunny Zoe Monthly Challenge 16 - A Sketch by Debbie

Christmas is Coming!

2011-09-21T14:52:00.002+01:00

My first Christmas card this year!!!!!! I love this LOTV stamp and had been thinking of a different way of using it, rather than just colouring or embossing the image.

I stamped the image on Neenah card stock with Tim Holtz, antique linen ink pad. I blended the edges with the same antique linen to keep the colours toned; I liked the subtleness of these colours which show the stamp off and keeps the simplicity of the bunnies. The card based is a white pearlised card stock and the red and green panels are taken from a HOTP card stack for Christmas.

The sentiment is from the HOTP paper stack and the flowers, leaves and seam binding are all from Wild Orchid Crafts, where I've just put my next order in for some of their beautiful poinsettas and lot's of other lovely goodies. I made the bow with my little bow maker tool, which gives me a lovely even bow to attach to my cards.

Well this is a close up of the image stamped in the Antique Linen and then highlighted with glitter (think you can see this in some of the photos), which I also added to the flowers and spiral stems.

Hope you like it. I'm still recovering from my heart bypass surgery so let me know what you think.

Hugs

Kaz Bee x

I am entering this card in to the following Challenges:

Wild Orchid Challenge; Wk 32 - A Christmas Sketch

LOTV Challenge 112 - Red, Green and White

Rachel's 17 - Happy Birthday Rachel

2011-09-16T10:11:00.000+01:00

Oh my stars, how time flies. My youngest daughter was 17 on the 14th of this month. Rachel is starting at a new performing Arts Academy on 19th September in Hove, called the MGA Academy; so it will be a very exciting time for her. Rachel loves her music, dancing and acting; it's going to be a lot of hard work but I know she's going to love it. She'll be able to start her driving lessons too - oh my word, my little girl all grown up; and I'm very proud of her :)

And here's the card I made for her

Rachel not only loves singing, she plays guitar, keyboard and writes her own music, she is currently recording her first album. So as you can see, the card had to have a music theme!

Now why did I pick that image????

well this is my Rachel a couple of years ago with her Red Guitar and below is my Rachel performing at Pevfest 2011 with her band, as you can see I think the image was made for my Rachel !

If you want to see and hear what Rachel's up to

please follow this link: Rachel Brett

Aaaagggghhhhh Blogger!

2011-09-07T20:25:00.001+01:00

Apologies to my followers - for some reason if you are using Firefox the piccies of my followers do not appear; however, if you're using Safari they do! This problem occurred today, but reading the Google Blogger Help Forum there seems to be a lot of similar issues to this, all without any solution so far. If you know the answer please leave me a comment. Otherwise, apologies to my followers who view through Firefox for your piccies not appearing!

Other than that, hope you all had a good day today :)

Wild Orchid Challenge - Tags, Tags, Tags

2011-09-06T21:23:00.007+01:00

I love all the wonderful embellishments that are on offer at The Wild Orchid Craft store and knew that I wanted to do something Autumnal, matching the weather a treat, for their weekly challenge - Tags, Tags, Tags. With the change in the weather and the nights drawing in, here is a close up of my design reflecting the change in the seasons:

White Centura Cardstock was cut into an oblong and Martha Stewart punched. I then blended, Tim Holtz's 'Wild Honey' ink over the card to give a gold lustered look. Double sided tape was applied to form a pocket. Vintage Seam Binding from WOC was also inked with the same colour and attached around the pocket and to the inside before it was joined as a pocket, thereby appearing seamless. I stamped the image onto Neenah cardstock and coloured her with promarkers and copics. The image was layered onto a autumnal coloured cardstock layered on to gold mirri card. This was then applied to the pocket at an angle and a bow, made out of the inked seam binding tied around the ribbon band. The flowers, from WOC, and some of which I coloured with promarkers were added along with leaves and the coiled stems from WOC. The insert is a traditional Pumpkin Pie recipe, printed onto card with the colour. A rich brown satin ribbon from my stash to made the pull for the tag.

And here's the finished result!

Challenges:

Wild Orchid Challenge: week 31 - Tags, Tags, Tags

Curlybearcrafts 100 Follower Candy

2011-09-05T22:16:00.001+01:00

Curlybearcrafts 100 Follower Candy: click on the piccie below to be taken to the fabulous site with lots of inspirational projects using lovely tones and colours. Enjoy the journey of crafting through Blogland.

Downrightcrafty Blog Candy

2011-09-05T21:56:00.001+01:00

Celebrating 400 followers, Downrightcrafty are offering some fabulously themed candy.

Click on the piccie below or side bar to go to the site and see the fantastic projects.

Scallywags - You Want Candy?

2011-09-05T21:49:00.000+01:00

For inspirational projects and designs pop over to Scallywags Blog

Click on the piccie below of the candy on offer or the link on the side bar - enjoy and good luck

Ali's Sharing the Passion

2011-09-05T21:24:00.000+01:00

Ali's sharing the Passion: Molly Blooms Birthday Candy

Go have a look at Ali's Blog and her candy. Very inspirational great designs and projects.

Click on the piccie to go!

The Cutie Pie Challenge Blog

2011-09-05T21:01:00.000+01:00

There is some great candy on offer at 'The Cutie Pie Challenge Blog' who also launch their first challenge on 19th September 2011. Click on the piccie below to be taken to their site. Have fun and enjoy :)

Kylies Kraft Room Blogaversary

2011-09-04T17:05:00.000+01:00

For those of you haven't visited, take a trip to Kylie's Kraft Room. There are fantastic projects and designs to be found, which are absolutely delightful and gorgeous.

Kylie's celebrating her 2nd Blogaversary very soon and is offering some fantastic candy. Click on the link below or on the side bar to take a visit - you'll be glad you did.

Sail Away!

2011-09-03T11:00:00.004+01:00

Back to crafting after a hubby's holiday. Didn't go away as I'm still recovering from my heart op. but we managed a few days out together, which was lovely and I left the crafting alone for a few days - oh no - withdrawal symptoms. Still back to routine - kind of - and as I love this stamp, I couldn't wait to create a card with it, saw Pop's Sketch on the LOTV Challenge and here it is.

I loved creating this card. I used matting and layering on the backing papers with silver mirri card; the papers are from a Heritage stash set. The blue band is watercolour paper which I inked with Tim Holtz, Faded Jeans and I then wrapped Bakers Twine (from wild Orchid Crafts) around the card in diagonals.

The image was coloured using promarkers, which worked really well on the watercolour card, even though they draw the ink quite strongly. I edge the image with Tim Holtz, Antique Linen, to bring the design out. The sentiment, LOTV stamp, is also on watercolour card and has been stamped using Tim Holtz, Faded Jeans too, to keep the colour theme running through. I added the buttons as I felt these kept the feel of the design.

Ingeredients:

Stamps: LOTV, Main Image (Sailing Boat) and Sentiment (Dreamy Days Collection)

Papers: Heritage (Paper Pizazz), Silver Mirri Card, Watercolour Card

Markers: Promarkers: China Blue, Cornflower, Musard, Buttercup, Poppy, Cinnamon, Caramel and Sandstone

Embellishments: Buttons and Bakers twine from Wild Orchid Crafts
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities - fancy circles

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

LOTV Challenge 110 - Sketch by Pops

I Love Promarkers Challenge 81 - Anything Goes
Crafty Purple Frog Sep 1 - Birthdays
Passion for Promarkers Challenge 115 - Theme - Anything Goes

Pixie Dust Paperie September Kit ~ Tecolota Preview

2011-09-01T13:30:00.000+01:00

Pixie Dust have some fantastic candy that they are giving as a gift. The kit includes lots of embellishments that would be brilliant for card making, scrap booking and all sorts of other projects too.

Just click on the picture which will take you too the link, or on the side bar link too :)

Happy September!

2011-09-01T13:26:00.000+01:00

Hi all, just wishing everyone a Happy September. It's that back to school and usual routine month, for some of us, which we either love or hate.

Lot's of new things in my family -

Kim starts her new job at a local school and starts her Degree course

to hopefully become a teacher one day

Rachel will be going to a new Performing Arts Academy in Hove, England and will be studying for a HND in performing arts. She'd love to be treading the boards of a West End stage one day as a leading lady.

Hubby's just started with a new division with his job and continues with his own charity 'Starcards' where he raises funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital in London that looks after children from all over the world.

And I will be returning to my place of work, following my heart surgery!

Oh boy, what a month!!!!!!!

Fantastic News and Candy to Celebrate

2011-08-25T21:53:00.000+01:00

Jacque has had the most fantastic news and to celebrate she is offering the most delicious candy. Click on the piccie to go to her website and take a look, but most of all to celebrate in her good news :)

Two Happy Birthday's - My Mum and our Dear Friend Vicky

2011-08-21T21:59:00.000+01:00

Wishing my Mum a Very Happy Birthday today

This is my Mum with all the trophies that she won for her fuschias at the recent Fuschia Society Show. Mum won five firsts, five seconds and three thirds, plus best in show!

The other birthday that we are celebrating today, is a very good family friend's, particularly of my eldest daughter Kimberley, our dear Vicky.

Vicky and Kim spent the day photographing cats with Vicky's dad today, you may be thinking why? but not the domestic cat but wild cats. tigers, lions, pumas etc. It's a special wild cat reserve that is in Kent, England, that hold special photography days, which help fund the animals. The center is not like a zoo and relies on funding and volunteer keepers along with the trained specialists.

Here's one of my daughter's photos.

Bunny Zoe's Crafts Bog Candy

2011-08-14T10:20:00.000+01:00

Well the lovely ladies at Bunny Zoe's are offering some delicious candy this week, as always, so pop over and see. Click on picture below or link on side bar to blog.

Vixx Handmade Cards Candy

2011-08-12T22:26:00.000+01:00

It will be Vicky's birthday soon and she is offering great candy to celebrate.

The candy ends 28th August at 9 p.m. so be sure to click on the picture above, or on he side bar, and pop across.

Wedding Card

2011-08-05T21:50:00.006+01:00

OK, so this is the other project I've been spending my time on. One of my very good friends is getting married, tomorrow!!!!!!! And this is the card gift that I've have made for her and her husband-to-be.

I made an easel card and their theme is Vintage Gold & White, hence my colour scheme. Used the LOTV Bride and Groom stamp, which is very apt in style for the couple, as the bride works in a school and loves al the children and this image has that feel to it. The card base is made from a pearlescent card stock, which I also made a matching gift box in. There are two sentiments, one which is from a multi-round stamp 'On your Wedding Day' written in a vintage style to match the theme and the LOTV stamp which supports the easel card says 'Wishing you a World of Joy', very apt.

This is a close up of the front of the card. I trialled a few where I added colour to the image and shading; however, because the theme was 'Gold and White' and the image was clean and crisp, I decided that it didn't need colour this time. I embossed the image using clear embossing ink and gold embossing powder. I used gold mirri-card for the layering. The backing paper is, in fact, a stamped image. It is a large wooden stamp that my daughter picked up once in a local store reduced. I'm so pleased she did, because I love it :) The bouquet is assembled from flowers purchased from Wild Orchid Crafts and I added some pearl pins which I had in my stash. I held them together with florists tape. The bow is made from white chiffon.

The couple already had their own homes before they met and therefore did not require gifts for their new home together. So we have decided to give them some money to put towards their honeymoon. I therefore made a small pocket sleeve, from stamped backing paper to take the gift and set this above the sentiment to support the card. This way I thought they would see the gift easily but it's concealed when the card is resting on the sentiment. If I had put it underneath the flap, which was my other option, I wasn't sure they would know it was there.

This is the back/base of the card. I printed the sentiment and cut the two layers with nestabilities; one layer of gold mirri card and the other of neenah as it took the print better than the pearlescent card stock.

I am really pleased with the card and can't wait to go to the wedding tomorrow. let's hope the weather stays fine. My daughter Rachel has been asked to sing at the wedding, and the song chosen is 'The first time ever I saw you face'. Rachel sung it at the rehearsal on Tuesday and it was decided that waterproof mascara would definitely be the order of the day, it was so moving and beautiful, there were lot's of watery eyes!!!!!!

Well I hope they like it - I enjoyed making it - please leave a comment and let me know what you think too :)

Hugs x

I have decided to enter it into these challenges

LOTV Challenge 108 - Roses
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes (optional extra of metal)
Crafts & Me Challenge 46 - Anything Goes
Bunny Zoe's Challenge 15 - Easel Card

Baby Bouquet & Lacey Cardigan

2011-08-05T18:20:00.000+01:00

I had seen a Baby Shower gift set that had used baby items folded and rolled to make a bouquet so I thought I would give it ago, with baby socks, as my gift to go with the card that I had made for my friends new little baby and this is the result. Hope you like it :)

The bouquet is sitting in a box, which actually contains the lacey cardigan and a couple of sets of little pyjamas, then there is the layer of tissue paper and the bouquet of socks fills the box (bought from Clinton cards) with the little Miffy toy rattle. I really enjoyed rolling the socks and you can find examples on You Tube of various methods of rolling. I watched some and then did my own that worked with the socks that I had bought and that I thought looked like a rose when rolled. I was going to make little leaves, or add artificial ones to add to the effect, but I liked it better without in the end.

Well this is the lacey cardigan that is in the box with the PJs. I spent a few evenings knitting it and enjoyed it as it grew quite quickly. I made it with Bamboo yarn as it is more hypoallergenic than most man-made fibers. the colour is a very soft pink, perfect for a 'little baby girl'.

This is the back view.

Hope you like this and it inspires you in your own crafting.

A Baby Card & Gift

2011-08-05T17:54:00.000+01:00

Hi All

Just thought I'd share why I hadn't blogged my crafty bits lately. Well a good friend of ours has had a beautiful baby girl, who they have named Phoebe, and I wanted to make a special card and gift. I started with the card. I decided to make it as a hanging frame, spelling the word Baby in pink gingham letters. My daughters a far better photographer than I and I'm afraid these pictures don't really do it justice, but you'll get the idea!

The reverse side of the panels looks like this.

The panels were made with a pearlescent card stock and the letters were cut out using my cricut machine. I added the butterflies and flowers to each letter, but did not want to overdo the embellishments, so that it didn't detract from the letters. The panels were joined together with pastel pink ribbon with a small silver bead at the top. This is the box that I made for it.

Hope you like it and it inspires you with your crafting projects. Of course the panels can be adapted for whatever you want to celebrate.

In my next blogs I'll show you what I made as the present.

Have fun.

Rachel Brett & Dorie Jackson

2011-08-03T11:20:00.000+01:00

WOW! Whole week without a post but boy have we been busy. Highlight last night though was of my daughter Rachel recording with Miss Dorie Jackson. Rachel has been writing some new songs and is putting together an album, which will be released soon. Dorie came to the recording studio to put down some backing vocals for Rachel; and the tracks are sounding brilliant. Dorie is a lovely, inspiring lady and a fantastic singer and has worked with many famous vacalists and groups, including Chris Difford of 'Squeeze' fame. It was a great evening and we were very grateful to Dorie for her time and input.

Rachel and Rachel also did a 'live lounge' style acoustic version of one of the songs, which hopefully I will be ale to post the link for soon.

Rachel and Dorie at Appleyard Studios in Robertsbridge.

I'll be back to crafting & posting soon though!

PevFest 2011 - Rachel Brett Band

2011-07-26T22:38:00.000+01:00

Well Saturday came and the weather stayed fine and PevFest was a great event; and the Rachel Brett Band were brilliant and went down a treat.

If you click on the picture above it will take you to 'You Tube' and a montage of the bands gig. Their set was an hour long so the video is just of selected clips. The Band has recently formed and they have already been booked for further gigs. They are currently unsigned but raising lots of interest in the music world. Rachel has been in the recording studio recently and she will soon be releasing her new album which will include her newly written songs. Details will be released here and on her own website.

http://rachelbrett.com/www.rachelbrett.com/Welcome.html

Condolences to Norway

2011-07-24T20:00:00.000+01:00

At KazBee Crafts we were very sad to hear of the tragic news from Norway and just to say our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time.

'i den dypeste sympatien'

Trines-papirkaos - Summer Candy

2011-07-22T17:12:00.000+01:00

Follow the link here by clicking on the picture or by the sidebar to visit this bog. Stunning designs full of inspiration and also some excellent candy on offer. Follow the links and good luck :)

PevFest - Rachel Brett Band

2011-07-22T11:03:00.000+01:00

Well it's Friday, the day before PevFest and my daughter and her band, Rachel Brett Band (RB Band) are the first act on. PevFest is an all day event, where lots of bands play at the local pubs in Pevensey Bay; it's a great day out, with something for everyone. There are all types of bands from soul, jazz, blues, rock, pop & heavy metal. The organisers try and put the same/similar genre of music on at all the venues. There is also a stage on the beach, which is great. That's where my daughter and her band are starting it all off. So here's to sunshine and a great day.

Click on the poster to find out more about Rachel. The band have recently formed together and they are all brilliant musicians.

Rachel sings and plays guitar, ukulele & keyboard, writes her own songs and is joining the MGA Academy from this Sept.

Jamie is an excellent guitarist. His guitar playing is brilliant and shows maturity despite his young age; he also plays an excellent version of the classic, 'Parisienne Walkways'.

James, the awesome drummer! James' drumming is fantastic, his enthusiasm for the music and his instrument shine through and he's another definitely to watch for the future.

The Rachel Brett Band will perform a selection of Rachel's own songs and some covers at PevFest. They've also been requested to play at the 1066 Cruisers Event. At this event there is a display of Classic, Vintage and Hot Rod Vehicles, more details to follow.

If you can pop along to PevFest, come and join us,

it's a great day out (all details on the poster)

Sweet Magnolia & Happy Birthday WOC - Challenge time

2011-07-19T23:48:00.001+01:00

I love this Magnolia stamp and decided to use it to celebrate WOC Birthday Sketch challenge along with the Magnolia Thursday challenge. I used my favourite Copics and found that the card would also fit the challenge on the 'Copic Creations Blog', so here's my card.

The theme for the Magnolia Challenge is, Pink, Purple and Pearls and I thought that she would look real cutsie in these.

I used Copic markers, blending the colors to give her movement and to add the highlights of auburn in her hair. I love the way the inks blend so well on the neenah cardstock. I think she's a real little darling and reminds me of my own daughter who had mauve dungarees like these when she was small and auburn highlights too!!!!! Think that's who I had in mind when I coloured her.

I embellished the card with flowers, pearls and seam binding from WOC. I coloured the pearls & seam binding with my promarkers to match the seam binding to ensure a good colour match. The pearls and seam binding from WOC are perfect for this. The flourish was cut using my cricut and I coloured a piece of cardstock to match the ribbon and pearls, cut it and then spray varnished it to match the second flourish cut from pearlescent cardstock. The sentiment is from LOTV and just perfect I think to match the feeling that I get from this image.

Hope you like it

I am going to enter this in to the following challenges.

Just Magnolia hAnglar & sTanglar Challenge Week 115 - Pink, Purple & Pearls

WOC Challenge 28 - A Birthday Sketch

Copic Creations Challenge 54 - Pastel Colours

Christmas in July - WOC and LOTV

2011-07-19T11:59:00.000+01:00

Visit WOC and LOTV for their Christmas in July giveaways. It's the launch of their new Christmas stamps which are fantastic. There are loads of inspiring projects from the DT to you get you thinking for that festive season.

Blue and Pink and Summertime Challenges

2011-07-18T15:24:00.001+01:00

Well in between the rain and whilst still recovering from a major operation, I made this card and decided to enter it in to the challenges listed at the end.

The card base is made from 'Crafter's Companion' Centura Pearl Snow White which has a light lustre to it. The papers were from a free pack from Pink Petticoat which came from a magazine that my hubby bought for me this week and I thought were just perfect. The fairy image is from LOTV and I think just adorable, just love using it and the text is from a set of Country Companion stamps. I used silver mirri card to add dimension to the layers.

My lil' blue fairy was coloured with Copics and Promarkers, just love the depth of colour that you can build with these and how they blend so well.

And of course the inside got the finishing touch too!

Hope you like the design.

I have entered this into the following challenges:

LOTV Challenge 105 - Pink & Blue

Paper Play '11 Challenge wk 28 - Things with Wings

Divas by Design Challenge 6 - Pastels

Crafts for Me Challenge 43 - Summertime

Allsorts Challenge wk 112 - Free & Easy

Jacque's Joie de Vivre- Happy Birthday Candy

2011-07-18T11:19:00.001+01:00

Jacque who is a DT member of LOTV, WOC and Just Magnolia and hAnglar and sTanglar amongst many other strings to her bow, is celebrating her birthday by offering some fantastic candy. Jacque's designs are beautiful and inspiring, so pop over and have a look and maybe join in with a chance for some candy; candy ends 31st July 2011.

Marianne's Craft Room Candy

2011-07-18T11:01:00.004+01:00

Congratulations to Marianne who has just become a member of the DT for 'Squiggle Stamps'. Marianne's candy offering is a £10 voucher for 'Squiggle Stamps'. I enjoy looking through Marianne's inspiring creations, so pop over and have a look and maybe enter for the candy - good Luck :)

Bunny Zoe Candy

2011-07-15T20:25:00.001+01:00

Bunny Zoe's Candy this week, is the chance to win the fabulous new Magnolia DooHickey Die - Old Oak. Fantastic for all the autumnal days which will soon be on their way - Oh no!!!!!!!

but also Halloween :)

Candy entries must be in by Midnight, Thursday 22nd July 2011

so visit the blog now, link above or see my side bar

- Good Luck -

Sketch & Summer Challenges

2011-07-12T19:11:00.002+01:00

Well saw Donalda's sketch on the LOTV Challenge and and had to stop what I was doing to put a card together and thought it combined so well with the other challenges of summer and seeing that ours is pretty cool at the moment, thought the blue tones were very apt.

Loved the sketch for this card - hope you do too!!!

I made the card base from Centura Pearl, Snow White Card Stock from

Crafter's Companion, it has a lovely pearlescent sheen to it, not sure you pick it up really well in this photo though. The backing papers are from my stash, from a 'My Minds Eye' paper stack and a Kate Knight paper stack.

Well this is my 'Cool Blue Lil' Girl Fairy' close up.

Usually, I would probably colour her in pinks or lemons, but I decided to go for a blue feel to make a change. I used a mixture of Copics and Promarkers and the tips of her wings were highlighted with a touch of ultra fine glitter, as were the dandelion leaves.

And here's my artistic crop of the flowers - LOL. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, except for the green lower layered petals, which are from a tin in my stash - thank goodness for a stash!!!!

Hope you like the card, please let me know, love hearing from all you like minded crafting buddies

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

LOTV Challenge 104 - Sketch by Donalda

Dream Valley Challenge 11 - Summer Theme

One Stitch at a Time Challenge 70 - Anything Goes

Scrappy Frogs Challenge Blog - Summer Flowers

One Stop Craft Challenge 139 - Summer Time

Pixie Dust Paperie - July - Giveaway

2011-07-12T09:53:00.002+01:00

Pop over to Pixie Dust Paperie (follow this link or click on the piccie on the side bar!)to see some of the DT's wonderful designs. They have some wonderful Candy on offer for July - Giveaway runs until 18th July - so have a go & good luck

Hugs x

One For the Boys and a Tent Card Challenge

2011-07-09T20:50:00.002+01:00

I was inspired to make this card for the challenges;

Crafters' Companion Challenge No.14 - One For the Boys

and

Wild Orchid Craft Challenge - A Tent Card (see my last photo here)
Little Darlings Challenge's No 2 - Favourite Colour Combo

I created the backing by using Versa Magic Chalk Ink - in Sea Breeze and a blending tool. I used Neena Card stock which I prefer for my copics, it also draws the ink for the colour for the sky.

I used my copics and promarkers for the 'Lil Boy, who on this occasion I named Alfie, probably after my daughters Hamster - LOL, but just seemed very fitting.

I used the usual E21 E00 E000 and R00 for the skin and then

a mixture of greens and browns for the clothing.

For the hair I used Promarker Buttercup and Copics Y11 and Y15 ( I think) for the odd highlight.

I cut around the image leaving a small border so that i could suspend him from the front layer of the card, hence the shadow behind him.

I decided to veer away from the old adage 'bue and green should never be seen' as I quite like them together and so I thought it was fitting for the Little Darlings Challenge

The border of the card was stamp with a large leaf Ivy and coloured with Copics, to give the impression of the outdoors. I added some flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts to give dimension and used the stalks of the flowers to create tendrils, bringing the ivy to life. I did add a little Crystal Stickles to the tendrils to lift them and to add another dimension.

This is the back of the card. I kept the theme running through with the clouds and sky and added a bit of Baker's twine, in blue and white, from WOC, to keep the boy/male theme running through. Thought I'd go for a bit of artistic display on this one!!!!

Well here is the finished card, showing the tent form of it. I hope that you like it. I had other ideas for my Tent Card but I'm glad I stuck with this one n the end.

I have entered this in to:

Wild Orchid Challenge - A Tent Card

Crafter's Companion Challenge No. 14 - One fore the Boys
Little Darlings Challenge's No 2 - Favourite Colour Combo

I will be selling my cards soon, I hope, in my Folksy shop, Once I've got the boxes made!!!

Freshly Baked Apple, Sultana and Cinnamon Bread - Yum

2011-07-08T12:42:00.000+01:00

Thought I would share this with you, as this morning instead of crafting I made fresh yoghurt, that is still brewing and this loaf of bread.

Don't know about you but I just love the smell of fresh bread; well almost as much as eating it. This is made from a flour mix, that I buy from a Farm locally, which is a Apple & Cinnamon Bread Flour, the recipe to then make the bread is as follows (in English imperial measurements) :

1lb 2oz Flour (Apple & Cinnamon already added)
2.5 tsp Dried Yeast
1.5 tsp. Salt
1.5 tsp Sugar
2.5 tsp. Olive Oil
320ml Water (hand warm)
Sultanas - added to preference

I have a bread maker, that I love, and this all goes into that on the dough programme. When it's ready, about 1.5 hours later, I pop it into a traditional loaf tin, or make rolls and bake accordingly.

If you can't get the ready mixed flavoured flour, I would guess that some dried chopped apple and cinnamon with a bread making mix or bread flour, would give the same results; although you would have to experiment with quantities for your own preferences.

The aroma is delicious, and is calling to me, so I have to go now, off to enjoy with butter and a cup of coffee.

***** YUM *****

Just Magnolia and Crafts and Me Challenges

2011-07-06T17:10:00.004+01:00

This is my card for
Magnolia hAnglar and tAnglar Challenge 113- Anything Goes with Shabby Chic and
'Crafts and Me' Challenge 42 - Favourite Stamp/Image

The backing paper is a from 'docrafts Papermania' set called 'Summer Bloom'.

Magnolia was coloured with a mixture of Copics and Promarkers.

Skin: E21, E00 and E000 with R00 for the cheeks. The pinafore, top, bows and boots were a whole plethora (been waiting to use that word - LOL) of colours.

The flowers and brads are from my stash, not sure where they came from now and the gems were from C&C. I pergamanoed (if that's the term) the butterfly, colouring the parchment with dorso ink and embossing the outlines etc. The tag is from Tim Holtz and the little pearl gems are from WOC.

I enjoyed this challenge as I had been waiting to use this stamp as I love Magnolia, just think she's soooo cute.

This card is being entered into two challenges:

Just Magnolia hAnglar & tAnglar - Anything goes with the option of Shabby Chic
Crafts and Me - Favourite Stamp/Image

Please leave me any comments as

I'd love to know what you think too :)

Prom Time!

2011-07-05T23:43:00.001+01:00

Just thought I would share a picture of my daughter, all ready for her prom, last Friday. I had a heart op. earlier this year and didn't think I would get to see her in it, so very proud and pleased for many reasons!

Rachel is a singer, song writer and she has her own web site http://rachelbrett.com/www.rachelbrett.com/Welcome.html where you can hear some of her tracks. She has been recording recently and will have a new album out soon. Rachel will also be opening a local Music Festival called Pevfest. It is a day of all kinds of music from blues through to rock, all free and approx. 50 bands will take part; it makes a great day out. I don't think that she will be wearing her prom dress to front her band though!!!!!!

Copic Challenges and Crafts and Me

2011-07-04T21:16:00.004+01:00

Well the Copic Challenges were a mish..., as my daughter would say! Colour White Clothing http://copiccreations.wordpress.com/ and CMC's Copic Challenge of Folds, Pleats and/or Ruffles http://scrapbitzcopics.ning.com/group/cmccopicchallengegroup; I linked these two challenges to the Crafts and Me Challenge of Birthday too http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/2011/06/challenge-41-birthdays.html (all blinkies down the side bar too for quickness).

I used one of my favourite images at the moment 'Twilight Lily Fae' from Crafts and Me. I accentuated her dress with copics C-1, C-3 and C-5, to bring out the subtle tones of shade and light.

Her bodice was coloured in a gold and her hair in varying tones of light browns. The tips of her wings were highlighted with very fine glitter powder - to add a little bit of fairy dust!

I added an LOTV sentiment as I thought it was very apt, a piece of organza shimmer ribbon from my stash along with a few little gem stones. I also highlighted some of the background fairies and branches from my 'Dovecraft' fantasy paper.

I hope you enjoy this card as much as I enjoyed the challenge. I am entering this in to the following challenges:

Copic Creations Challenge No. 53 - White Clothing
CMC Copic Challenge Group No. 21 - Folds, Pleats and/or Ruffles
Crafts and Me No. 41 - Birthday

HAPPY 4TH JULY

2011-07-04T12:44:00.004+01:00

WISHING ALL OUR AMERICAN FRIENDS & FAMILY
A VERY HAPPY 4TH JULY!!!

Creating from the Heart: ♥ My 3rd Blogaversary Giveaway! ♥

2011-07-04T12:33:00.001+01:00

Creating from the Heart: ♥ My 3rd Blogaversary Giveaway! ♥

Melissa is celebrating her 3rd Anniversary of her Blog, so congratulations. The ideas and designs and gorgeous; go have a look. Also, see link on the side bar - the Grand Calibur!!!!!

RainMac's Candy

2011-07-04T12:01:00.000+01:00

RainMac is celebrating 300 followers and offering a delightful 'Candy' prize. Well done on your tri-century of followers. Your cards are gorgeous and very inspirational - keep up the good work and here's to your next 300 followers and many more :) http://rainmacsplace.blogspot.com/ or click on the piccy at the side.

Ribbons, Bows, Stitches and Sketch - What a Challenge!

2011-06-27T13:39:00.004+01:00

Well I finally found the time to make and blog my challenge entry. I adore this stamp from LOTV and I wanted something not too overdressed to show her off.

I used some old papers that I had in my stash from the 'Nitwit' Collections, I love the subtlety of them. I layered the panels onto silver mirri card and hand stitched each layer with silver thread. (hope you can see it OK, daughters fancy camera's battery ran out, so I had to rely on ol' faithful - LOL)

I used two layers of ribbon, one of 'pink tulip' seam binding from Wild Orchid Crafts (WOC) and the overlaid is an organza polka dot ribbon

, again from my stash. I used one small rose from WOC, which I blinged with a little crystal stickles. The sentiment is an LOTV layered onto silver mirri.

The image was coloured with my favourite Copics and Promarkers, which I find work really well together. I used Neenah Card stock for the image as I find that this is best with the marker pens. I used a couple of gems in baby pink and crystal on the image, and one in her hair, which was layered on silver mirri card. I couldn't leave the inside out, so here it is.

The inside reflected the front in the three panels in a co-ordinating paper with a punched card topper to write. The sentiment on the inside matches the one on the front carrying the theme through.

I have decided to enter this into the following challenges:

Lili of the Valley - Follow the Sketch

Crafts and Me - Stitches

I hope you like this as much as I enjoyed creating it, I'd love to know what you think

Have a Good Week

2011-06-27T00:17:00.004+01:00

Don't forget the Sunday Sensations Magnolia-licious Candy, see the link on the side bar.
Wishing all you crafters a great week :)

Jacque's Joie de Vivre- Sweet Stuff

2011-06-25T21:41:00.001+01:00

Go look at Jacque's Joie de Vivre blog and view her 'Sweet Stuff' candy - http://jacquesmagnolias.blogspot.com/2011/06/lotv-doggie-delight-and-winner-and.html or see link in the side bar

Bunny Zoe and Crafty Calendar

2011-06-25T15:18:00.004+01:00

Well I saw these challenges and thought yay; good excuse to use one of my favourite digi stamps from Crafts and Me and for a change I thought I'd make and easel card. I then also saw The Cheerful Stamp Pad Challenge and the creative juices got flowing.

The image has been stamped on Neenah paper and coloured in with a combination of Copics and Promarkers. I also, antiqued the paper by blending Tim Holtz's, Antique Linen over the base card. The fairy wings were finished with crystal stickles, to give that magical feel. The backing papers are from a pack by Dovecraft called Fantasy which I had in my stash.

Crystal embellishments were added in a swirl and also to the base of the easel, to add a bit of bling. The flowers used were from Wild Orchid Crafts and I added Crystal Stickles to these too, for a little bit of something special.

I used a LOTV sentiment tag, which fitted the theme perfectly. I was pleased with my card but more importantly, I hope that you like it too.

So this card has been entered into:

Crafty Calendar Challenge - Things with Wings

Bunny Zoe Challenge 13 - Fairies
The Cheerful Stamp Pad Challenge 20 - Things with Wings

Kim's Crafter's Companion & Simon Says Stamp Challenges

2011-06-20T22:43:00.002+01:00

I made this card for Crafter's Companion Monthly Challenge 'Here Comes Summer' and also 'Simon Says Stamp' Bingo Challenge.

I used the SWALK, 'You Are My Sunshine' stamp, fitting for the title. I thought the girl looked so sweet and countrified in her summer dress which I wanted to carry through in the theme of my design.

I used blue gingham paper that I found in my stash and complimented this with a polka-dot ribbon and punched scalloped card.

I used square, scalloped nestabilities to mount my image and for layering. On the yellow layer I added Tim Holtz ' Wild Honey' distress ink to add dimension and the blue layer was made by blending Tim Holtz 'Faded Jeans' distress ink. I used a mix of copic and pro markers to colour her in and used glitter glue to add sparkle to the card. I used the wording from the SWALK stamp, cut it roughly into an arch shape to compliment the summery, shabby chicness and then added rose glitter glue to make it shine. I added buttons and adhesive pearls from 'Wild Orchid Crafts' to embelish and because I wanted to carry on the cuteness.

For my finishing touches I used 'Wild Orchid Crafts' roses which I coloured using a pink copic and added a few dabs of glitter to each one to make it look extra special.

Of course, the inside has to look just as good, so I used paper found in my stock and layered a complimentary piece of yellow card which I scalloped sing an EK Success punch, following the theme from the front. I added the LOTV stamp 'Dreaming of Summer Days' to a piece of distressed card and finished it off with glitter pens.

I have also entered this in the 'Simon Says Stamp' Challenge - let's play Bingo!
The card fits into the Bingo Challenge with it's 'Buttons, Pearls & Shapes'

Hope you like it!

Jacque's Joie de Vivre

2011-06-20T12:17:00.004+01:00

Came across this blog whilst surfing the net http://jacquesmagnolias.blogspot.com/ and just fell in love with the designs. Jacque's designs for LOTV, Just Magnolia and hAngler and sTangler Challenge Blog and Wild Orchid Crafts, to name a few and her use of colour is really inspirational. See the Blog Candy at the side too!

Lili of the Valley Challenge - card by Kaz

2011-06-19T20:07:00.006+01:00

I made this card for Father's Day and thought I would enter it for the LOTV Challenge 'Bring on the Music'. http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.com/

I used the LOTV stamp 'Lazy Afternoon' as my image as I thought it would fit perfectly with my other elements. I used Copic Markers to colour the image, which I matted and layered on to gold mirri card.

I used cream vintage seam binding from Wild Orchid Crafts, which I coloured with Tim Holtz 'Wild Honey' Distress Ink. The guitar embellishment is one that I had in my stash.

The score music is actually my daughters own composition called 'Free'. Rachel writes and performs who own music and I thought it would be great to use one of her pieces as my backing paper.
http://rachelbrett.com/www.rachelbrett.com/Welcome.html

I completed the inside of the card to match the front and I was really pleased with the outcome (sorry the photograph was a bit dark).

Hope you like it too; please let me know on my comments - thank you :)

Love to Stamp

2011-06-19T13:04:00.000+01:00

Have really enjoyed looking at the fabulous new images from 'Love to Stamp'. They are perfect for all occasions and can't wait to get using them. I loved the images; fun, carefree, & sassy; all sorts for all occasions. Also, the designs are excellent as they show how different colour ways give such a different feel for a card.

Provocraft - Brilliant

2011-06-19T00:26:00.000+01:00

Just have to leave a quick note to say how fantastic Provocraft have been to me. I recently lost my cable which connects my gypsy to my new cartridges. I was really stuck without it, anyway, I contacted Provocraft who were really brilliant and have sent me a new cable all the way from the USA at no charge. I had already registered my gypsy and cricut create etc. Their customer service has been superb and I would certainly bu from them again.

Girlies enjoy Sir Richard's WTA Party

2011-06-17T21:07:00.000+01:00

The Girlies and Sam Branson, who signed a card for the 'Starcards Charity'.

And with George Lamb

And with Laura Wright too

There were many more photo's and they had a fantastic evening and thank the WTA & Sir Richard Branson for the invite

Sir Richard Branson's WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party

2011-06-16T17:38:00.000+01:00

Well my hubby and my two girls are off to Sir Richard's Party tonight, I'm sure they will have a fantastic time. I unfortunately am unable to go as I'm not fully recovered from a recent op. They have been so excited and had fun getting ready - they looked stunning. Very proud Mum and hubby looked cool too!

Charity Events

2011-06-13T22:32:00.000+01:00

Slow day today but tomorrow will be busy as the Tennis has come to Eastbourne and through the 'Starcards Charity' http://www.starcards.org/StarCards/Home.html, which my husband created 9 years ago, Victoria Azarenka will be visiting our local school to meet the pupils - wow :)

My husband has raised £65,000 to date for Great Ormond Street Hospital through his charity and has also organised many fun filled events for the children (patients) and their parents, staff, etc. including a Party at the top of BT Tower, attended by celebrities, including Disney's Bear in the Big Blue House, a trip up the Thames on HMS Cornwall in 2004, tickets for patients, parents and staff, for various music gigs held in Hyde Park, etc. to name but a few. He runs the charity in his 'spare time' but says it's all worth while and always finds a visit to the hospital very humbling. Please check his website out, link above. All of the signatures are genuine and authenticated with photos of the celeb with card.

Wonder what he has planned for the 10th Anniversary of Starcards :)

Kim's been playing again today and decided to change the background of our blog - hope you like the design.

Wild Orchid Craft Challenge - card by Kaz

2011-06-12T11:12:00.008+01:00

Haven't entered a challenge before but thought I''d give it a go and have entered two. I followed the sketch provided on http://wildorchidchallenge.blogspot.com/ for the challenge and here is the card we came up with.

The stamp, which fits with 'Crafts and Me Challenge' http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/ is an old one that I have had for about 15 years but still a firm favourite. The little girl has been coloured with a combination of copics and promarkers. Background papers are by My Minds Eye and the border punched with an EK Success Punch.

The embellishments are all from 'Wild Orchid Crafts' here's the link http://www.wildorchidcrafts.com/index.php?main_page=index

The flowers are a mixture of sizes of paper roses and leaves. I have coloured the paper roses with a 'buttercup' promarker to compliment the little girls dress. The pearl embellishments are from the spice range and are the mm size.

The cream bow is made from vintage seam binding, which adds a lovely oldy, worldy feel to the card, in keeping with the delicate roses and pearls.

The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley Stamps, http://www.liliofthevalley.co.uk/ , it has been sprayed with Crafter's Companion 'Spray and Shine' to add a bit of dimension and mounted on gold mrri card to compliment the central design

I have submitted this to the Wild Orchid Challenge, and

the Crafts and Me Challenge http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/,

so we'll see how it does for our first attempt at a challenge., hope you like it :)

Hubby cooks!

2011-06-11T22:18:00.000+01:00

Yeah! Hubby did the cooking tonight, so I thought I would share his recipe :) This is a very flexible recipe, his own, which can be made in any size quantities, so you choose :)

Chicken Pesto & Spicy New Potatoes

All quantities (except the chicken) is to your own personal preference

Ingredients

Chicken Breasts

Roasted Red Pepper Pesto Paste

Baby New Potatoes

Lime Zest

Red Chilli

Coriander

Spring Onion

Butter (approx. 2-3 tbsps.; but enough to bind all the ingredients together)

Fresh Green Salad - whatever you would like to put in it.

Method:

1. Dice the chicken, or cut into strips, which ever you prefer and coat the meat in the pesto.

2. Cook the new potatoes.

3. Pan fry the chicken in a light spray oil, moving the chicken frequently for even cooking.

4. Chop the red chilli, coriander and spring onion, finely and mix together with the lime zest and butter.

5. Prepare a fresh green salad

6. When the potatoes are cooked, drain and then toss them in the chilli butter dressing; or you can serve the potatoes on their own with the chilli lime butter in a separate dish, so that the diners can chop up their potatoes and add the chilli lime butter as they wish.

Plate up and enjoy - yum! :)

Lavender Bags (mini cushions)

2011-06-10T11:50:00.001+01:00

Fancied making something pretty, so made lavender bags. I love the smell of lavender.
Take a look at them on our floksy site http://www.folksy.com/shops/KazBeeCrafts

Followers pictures

2011-06-10T10:04:00.000+01:00

And another success - worked out how to get our follower's pictures to display............. previously showed as a green box with an egg in it (well that's what it looked like) - not a good look.
Soooooo glad I can see the adorable westies though - beautiful :)

Now on with some craft - patchworking, me thinks.

Stretching and Centering

2011-06-09T23:27:00.001+01:00

Yay! Finally I did it.

After spending a few hours prowling through the web for some way of enhancing our blog. I have finally stretched the layout and centered my Banner. Now I think it's time to rest ready for some serious crafting tomorrow.

Charity Knitting

2011-06-09T21:12:00.002+01:00

Well Kaz has been knitting most of the day, making little hats for the Innocent 2011 challenge. 10 made so far, but still plenty of time to complete some more as they don't have to be submitted until October 2011. AGE UK have details on their website if you're interested http://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/get-knitting-for-the-big-knit/ . It's a great way of using up all the odds and ends of wool that you probably have in your stash and all in aid of a good cause. Let you know how we progress as the days go by.

Blogging!!!

2011-06-09T21:11:00.000+01:00

Decided to start a blog, as Kim and I make loads of crafty goods and have for quite sometime, well I have for about 40 years!!!!! I first started knitting at the age of 5 and it was my Dad who taught me. He was the only one who had the patience. Several years later................... and my love of crafts has never changed and I always like to start a new challenge. My daughter Kim loves crafting with me and so we decided to start our blog and join the crafty bloggers :)