Kool Kitty Musings

And the cards go on...

I tried to watch Love in the Time of Cholera tonight - it's been sat next to my PC for almost a month and I really want to get some new DVDs coming in from Lovefilm, so unless I watched this movie I'd not be able to send off for more. Hm.

I made it almost an hour into it, but I just couldn't take any more. I have heard the book is really good - well I'm afraid the film just bored me to death and I wasn't particularly fond of any of the characters! So the DVD got ejected and is now sitting in its envelope waiting to be sent off for something new!

One of the reviews I read (after realising I'd somehow added this to my rental list) said, you'd wish you had cholera - anything would be better than this film! LOL Hm, I almost agree.

Here's hoping there will be some good movie fayre at the cinema this month, went to see Zack and Miri make a porno last night with a friend as there was zero else on that we hadn't seen. The new movies for the week all came out tonight - so bad timing- but we were pleasantly surprised - not amazing, but sufficiently entertaining! ;o)

Anyway, after the whole dvd fiasco tonight, I switched over to some festive tunes and got to work:

Again with the American Crafts and not even Christmas papers! But I couldn't leave the KI out of it, and I have finally made a card I actually like! :oO Shock horror! It's based on Sketch This #75:

Anyway, off to watch Big Bang Theory. :o)

Hm, better than nothing

Well it's been a hard slog, I seem to have the anti-midas touch at the moment when it comes to making my Christmas cards. I start with an idea then it goes horribly wrong or just doesn't turn out like I'd like... a few cards have gone in the bin but here are the ones that didn't.... yet. Anyway, lots of American Crafts papers, Hambly rub-ons, some Basic Grey, Love Elsie and randomness.

My effort at the current CPS sketch, #92:

This one was for SketchThis #71:

Also I watched Munich, Casino Royale and Syriana - so they probably weren't quite the thing to get me in the festive frame of mind, and Casino Royale was especially distracting! mmmmm

But having rewatched it, I'd really like to see Quantum of Solace again, especially the opener since it starts right off from where Casino Royale finishes with Mr White.

Great stuff - and don't worry Gill, I'd already added those titles to my Lovefilm rental list! ;oP

Leisurly Sundays

Finally managed to catch up with some DVDs I had to watch and read Nora's 2nd instalment in the Sign of Seven trilogy from cover to cover this morning, and have played a little card catch up, but my creative heart wasn't really in it as have been having some more issues with the new PC, but the fault is just occurring with PowerDVD so will see how I go watching DVDs on the PC via Media Player now... so far so good on that front.

Anyway, the cards....

• Scenic Route cardstock
• Basic Grey rub-ons
• Stickles

This next card is based on a card sketch for Scarlet Lime and uses the April kit plus a few extra bits:

The challenge on the 12 at Scrapper's Daily Dose was to create a card smaller than 4x4:

• KI Memories paper
• EK Success alpha stickers

This next one is based on CPS sketch #64:

• Basic Grey papers, tag, alpha stickers, rub-ons
• Michaels fabric ribbon

Challenge for the 14th was to create a card where the only embellishments were buttons:

• KI papers and alpha stickers (not embellishments in my eyes! :oP)
• Doodlebug buttons

This next one is for Sketch This #49:

• KI papers, tag and alpha stickers
• Doodlebug buttons
• Making Memories flower

And finally, another card where I (badly) attempt to make something using KI Fire papers...

• KI papers and tags
• American Crafts ribbon and brads
• SEI brads
• Stickles

The end for now... off to watch the rest of Indiana Jones. Looks like we'll be having a family outing to see the new Indy film next week or so... and then not long until Sex and the City is finally out!!! Woohooo!!!

So the cards...

It's been a totally lovely day, but a shame I've spent the best part of it in the office... however after getting back from the sweltering gym I've been sat with the windows wide open enjoying this summery weather!

But, so that I can sit out tomorrow evening reading... I hope! Here are more of the cards from the backlog:

• Patterned paper by Mara Mi
• Stamp from Papertrey Ink

• KI papers all the way
• Plus Pink Paislee and Banana Frog stamps

• Mara Mi and KI papers
• Black Stickles
• Pink Paislee stamps

• Papers from an old Self-Addressed kit (I loved them but the manufacturer name has escaped me right now... I know it, I do... but gaaaah can't remember it right now)
• Pink Paislee and Papertrey Ink stamps
• Touch of bling crystals

This one is also my version of CPS sketch #62. :o)

• Collage Press papers
• Rhonna and Papertrey Ink stamps
• Perfect Impressions pearl brads
• Liquid pearls

This next one is also Sketch This card #48

• Sassafras Lass papers (yum!)
• Sassafras Lass cloud stamp
• Papertrey Ink greeting

This next one doubles up as my interpretation of CPS Sketch #61

• Three Bugs in a Rug papers (I think)
• Pink Paislee and Papertrey Ink stamps

Next up my version of Sketch This card #47:

• Basic Grey papers
• Papertrey Ink stamps

• Basic Grey background paper
• Cactus Pink and Papertrey Ink stamps
• Bling crystals
• May Arts ribbon

And finally, caught up on a CAD challenge at Scrapper's Daily Dose today that also doubles up with CPS Sketch #63:

• Rusty Pickle and Love Elsie papers
• Nestabilities
• Pink Paislee and Papertrey Ink stamps

The End!

for now...

Extended weekends

Why do they seem to pass more quickly than a normal weekend? Can't believe it's back to work tomorrow....

Anyway, here's a round-up of the rest of the projects from this weekend... basically more cards!

First up CAD challenge from the 21st, to make a get well soon card.

• Mambi patterned papers and less than easy to rub-on rub-ons!

No CAD challenges have been posted since, so I've gone freestyle! :oS

This one is also based on Sketch This Card #43.

• Mambi patterned paper + ribbon
• Creative Café diecut scallop
• Chipboard flower
• MM paint and button

This is just an excuse to play with my new 7Gypsies stamps!

• MM Noteworthy journaling card, flower, button
• Kelly P. papers
• 7 Gypsies stamps

This one is based on Sketch This Card #44:

• Crate papers
• EK Success alpha stickers
• PM buttons

And finally, CPS sketch 57:

• Crate papers
• KI ribbon
• BG rub-on

Sketch This Card #42

Well not much to post about tonight.... Just the realisation that Marshmallow Crispies made yesterday were obviously a hit as they've almost all gone... I may try Marshmallow toffee crispies next time!

But more lethal I expect... and the opportunity to shed the weekend's calories looks a bit grim this week as I only have two evenings I can make the gym before weigh in on Thursday... eek. Not helping that I'm eating out Wednesday night either... dun dun dun...

Anyhoo, here's a card for today as the CAD challenge isn't up yet:

• KI Memories Pieces of Me patterned paper
• KI Memories alpha stickers
• Mod button

Sketch catch up!

I forgot to mention the other day that I'd actually managed to do CPS sketch #50 and a CAD card all in one...

And today I've finally managed to sit down and catch up with the latest Sketch This Card - OK it's a bit of a loose interpretation, but it's an interpretation nonetheless!

Quite a simple one, just brown cardstock, the back of some KI paper, Hambly tree rub-ons and a touch of stamping. :o)

Right back to sorting out some photos... I am currently trying NOT to go and buy a set of Sassafras Las owl stamps on ebay at the moment...  I just really, really want them and can't believe I missed them when they originally came out... travesty! Would rather get them with some other stash at the same time... in fact I am liking one of the Sassafras Las font sets too... would go so well together!

Card catch-up!

Another evening of catching up with a few cards. First up yesterday's CAD - to use alpha stickers:

• Basic Grey patterned paper
• American Crafts alpha stickers

Next up, today's CAD card - challenge to use American Crafts products - twinned with the Sketch This Card #40 challenge:

• Basic Grey background paper and rub-ons
• Cactus Pink stamp
• QuicKutz heart die
• American Crafts alpha rub-ons
• Mod button

Still no Nestabilities... and I have somehow managed to run out of herma AND double-sided tape, must go make an order or I'll have no adhesive come the crop on Saturday!

A couple more cards...

I'm now caught up with card sketches for the week and today's card a day challenge.

First up today's CAD - the challenge to use rub-ons:

• DCWV and Scenic Route cardstock
• Hambly tree rub-on
• Creative Imaginations chipboard
• May Arts ribbon
• Papertrey Ink greeting

I really love the graphic/pattern look a the moment so it's no wonder I bought those rub-ons, no idea what I'll do with the rest of them mind! ;o)

And also here's Sketch This Card #39, using up a smidge of that K&Co. stash I sometimes wish I'd never bought... I like it, but there's soooo much of it in the tin of sayings and the pad of paper...

Card a Day 16

Here's another attempt at killing two birdies with one stone! Card a day challenge to create a feminine birthday card and Sketch This Card Sketch #38:

• Ki Memories patterned paper
• Basic Grey rub-ons
• Sassafras Lass stitch stamp
• Papertrey Ink scallop stamp
• Foofala button
• CI velvet ribbon
• SEI brads

Card a Day 6

Here's today's card - the theme was "For You", I decided to save myself a little bit of work and used Sketch This card sketch #37 as inspiration:

A fair few stash items on this one:

• Narratives die-cut paper
• Basic Grey Blush patterned paper, die-cut stickers, and swirl rub-on
• Making memories velvet ribbon, buckle, flower brad, and liberal coatings of paint
• Aqua Swarowski crystal
• One of the many original Michael's flower purchases!

Time for some photos...

Well it's about time I posted something... even if it's just a few pics of my favourite gift wrap and ribbons of the moment:

They looked very pretty under the tree (and being the eco-friendly wrapper that I am, I managed to get some of those ribbons back after gifts were unwrapped... OK I am a saddo I admit it, but they were too nice to part with - family were happy to hand them back for future use too!). These felt gift bags from Target also looked rather nice under the tree filled with tissue wrapped AC-coordinated gifts:

Very cute, then I decided it was about time I made something. The stickles are still drying before I can add anything more, but I had a ton of duplicate photos left-over from a class at Whim-so-Doodle and decided to do another little mini project with them for Banana Frog. Not quite finished, but hey it's something...

I decided to get using some new stash too, namely these lovely stamps from Gel-a-tins I bought in Florida:

So I also tried to catch up with the Sketch This Card sketches blog and tried my hand at the most recent sketch posted, number 36 - oops missed a few then!

I used all relatively new stash too:

• Creative Café card blank
• BG Mellow papers and old BG chipboard
• Gel-a-tins stamps
• EK Success letter stickers

And at very long last, I finally have a couple of new issues of Scrapbook Trends to read... hm, 3 months waiting for them so I shall have to savour the moment! ;o)

Time certainly flies!

Well I have managed to get over my spending drought a little more with the purchase of some new Christmas stash, namely Rhonna's new Christmas Swirls and Christmas Card stamp sets. Very nice indeed:

Nice huh?

So those arrived the other day, but I wasn't done there, I just had to purchase a few sheets of the matching papers, oh and some of the new BG Figgy Pudding papers (including a stamp set)... I really should leave it at that for the festive stuff now until Florida and hopefully a sighting of the KI Memories Holiday super value tins in Joann's!

But anyway, I need to start making a sizable dent in the existing festive stash now.

Today I aimed to do just that, but ended up trying out my new roller boots on a more forgiving surface. And I am pleased to report I didn't end up on my backside at any point. This time!

A bit of creativity did occur with the latest dare from the Daring Cardmakers - here's my answer to the Circle of Friends dare:

The papers are from the KI memories Friendship collection - apt or what? Alpha letters are Heidi Swapp, the little tree rub-on is Hambly (love that set!) and the heart button is Doodlebug. :o)

Next up I decided to dig out my old Rhonna Christmas stash and see if I could use up some scraps (I loved the main snowflake paper but alas only have a few small bits of that left) so I looked at this week's Sketch This Card sketch for inspiration:

I ended up trying out the snowflake swirl stamps from Rhonna's new set on this card - so subtle you can't really see them unless you look hard! And the greeting stamp is stamped in grey pigment ink and dusted with blue perfect pearls and a bit of bling to finish it off. And it looks like my Marvy scallop punch is the perfect fit for these AL stamps from last year! :o)

Anyway, I decided not to watch the rugby as I just can't bare to watch it and not see a good outcome, so I put Becoming Jane on - great film!

Oh, looks like it's a good thing I didn't watch the rugby after all.. :o(

Anyway, tomorrow is another day as they say, so I shall go and perk myself up listing to a few new tunes including my current favourite: 1,2,3,4 by Feist!

One sheet of cardstock...

4 cards!

Yes, I thought today would be a good time to try and cut into my Bazzill bling stockpile. I like it.... I really do, but some of the colours are just so hard to match with anything paper-wise.

Anyway, I chose a frosty blue as today's inspiration and looked at trying to catch up with the Sketch This card sketches I missed last month. These cards are brought to you in association with my current favourite pot of Stickles:

Star Dust

First up - sketch 23. Queen and Co. winter papers plus a cute stamp from Hampton Art, some Paper Salon stamps, plus the ribbon border stamp from Paper Trey, and let's not forget that MM snowflake brad, a little jewel on the greeting and some Stickles - the essential must have item for all your Christmas card needs!

This is sketch 25. KI background paper, aqua cardstock from Doodlebug stamped with BF blizzard snowflake stamps in aqua ink accented with Star Dust Stickles, then one of a gazillion MM eyelet words attached with my favourite Jolee's of all time, the snowflake set!

With the rest of the cardstock I made some gift tags - this is sketch 24 - well loosely... It's a Hero Arts shadow stamp with one of the snowflakes from the BF Blizzard set stamped in blue and Banana Frog simple greetings stamps. Plus star dust Stickles, naturally.

Another gift gard, I used up a scrap of the KI background paper, and stamped with one of the designs from my fave Christmas Circles set by Limited Edition Hampton Arts stamps, the return of the blizzard snowflake in the circles, an old MM rub-on... and icicle and star dust Stickles for good measure!

I have to say I would love to get my hands on more KI Winter 2004 papers, there is a real gap in my collection without these papers, as they are just my favourite all time set! Hope I get those value tins in Joann's after all!

A couple more...

So here's the card I made for the UKS use your stash card challenge - Basic Grey this week - a nice op. to use up some left-over Skate Shoppe from a Self-Addressed kit.

I did my cutting into a brand new sheet of BG last week after all ! Here's another scrap of Phoebe paper used up from that for a quick notelet:

And finally Sketch This card #22! #23 is already up on their blog so I've no chance of catching up now until I'm back from my hols!

Right, best get back to my washing pile and then finally get tucked up with my current read - nearly finished it and dying to keep going, but I must get the to-do list completed before I disappear into it. :o)

OK I think this is more like it

I've been having a little play tonight - perhaps a bit more successful than last night?

Another go at the UKS Doodlebug card challenge:

It's not nearly as garish in real life - the close-up gets the colours better... But all cardstock is doodlebug cut into strips (those strips in the Scrap Magic Bazzill kits came in very useful for this as no 12x12" sheet of cardstock was harmed!) and the buttons are Doodlebug of course.

Next I did the latest Sketch This card sketch and shock horror decided it was time to use up some more LilyKate. Lovely stuff.

And wouldn't you know it, there was room for a little bejewelling. :oD

Right, off to watch Heroes! I just love Hiro... love him. hehe

I blame it on the blood loss...

Do you ever have evenings where you just want to sit and play yet nothing works out like you wanted it???

Well take these cards as a case in point. I have lots of fab stash at my disposal, yet can I combine it tonight to look like anything decent the way I'd planned it?

No.

Anyway, I'll get over it - tonight was perhaps an exercise in futility anyway. hehe

First up the Doodlebug use your stash challenge on the UKS card forum. I've not got much in the way of Doodlebug papers, just this sheet of black and white to hand, and I thought it'd look great with a few jewels on... well then I got carried away and wanted to use one of the tags I bought in Joann's - ho-hum... Perhaps not the best colour combo I could have done!

Then I thought, oh yes let's do some Bejewelling on this embossed frame I've had for ages and got free in the post... hm... a shaker card. Think I should have chalked those flowers a bit before I started bejewelling! LOL

Mind, I finally got rid of an entire packet of accent beads I have had forever!

And finally, catching up on last week's Sketch This card. I still have the new CPS and Sketch This card to do this week, so maybe I'll get my mojo back tomorrow night. LOL

A few challenges

I managed to get a little creativity in this morning before heading off to the gym.

First up this week's, DCM dare - think I might as well create a new album for these! LOL

I think this ticks the boxes... there's text... it's just not necessarily in any particular order... ;oP Rather reminiscent of that Morcambe and Wise sketch with André Previn "I'm playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order."

Decided to dig out some more KI and combined it with QK flowers and KI stampage. :o)

Next up, the first card for the Sketch This Card challenge contest:

And of course the gratuitous montage:

Ki galore again - but new stuff this time, plus my beloved Judikins stamp. :o)

KI and all that

I have such huge stockpiles of KI, it's true. I love the stuff dearly, and have hung onto it for "special occasions" - special occasions are not limited to expensive shoes and extravagant skirt purchases in my world... no they also extend to patterned paper.

But, my new regime regarding tackling my patterned paper vault includes using the beloved KI, and that's the new stuff and right back to Collection II!

Anyway, I browsed the KI piles and didn't cut up any new sheets for this sketch challenge, but still old stash:

Anyway, I am now off to unearth my Cantata Mundi Adiemus CD - in the process of ripping all of my Adiemus CDs to the PC so that I can listen to them all at once on one big playlist... But that CD has gone walkabout.... grrrr

Also must pack a little bag for the gym tomorrow - no locker/changing room facilities as they are all being redone.

Mission accomplished

Here it is:

I didn't do that much stash searching after all - am endeavouring to use up the BG Gypsy papers and cardstock asap (this could actually be the first 6x6 pad that I ever finish! Well maybe... ) so naturally had to use some Hambly with it... Other rub-ons are K&Co. - very temperamental they are too!

Right I'd best restore some order here in the Hovel!