Kool Kitty Musings

DCM - Layer it up!

Happy Friday!

For this week's Daring Cardmakers dare, Shabneez has challenged us to embrace layering - whether with ink, papers, or embellishments.

Well I was thinking this might be a good time to look back through my paper stash and all those slightly used packs of ephemera where you know something useful is lurking, but often gets overlooked. ;)

Paper: Pebbles - Jen Hadfield DIY Home (r), Pebbles - Spring Fling (r)
Stamps: Winnie & Walter - Sentimental: Birthday (r)
Dies: The Stamp Market - Jumbo Tag

I also had a specific occasion and recipient in mind for this card, so wanted to keep it light and airy, with a clean style.

I had some of those cut apart journaling spots left over from the Spring Fling collection by Pebbles that would work nicely for a February birthday. I layered this lovely floral cake one on coordinating paper from the same collection cut using The Stamp Market Jumbo Tag die (a great size for layering on 5x7 cards like this one).

I needed a sentiment that would fit in the white space at the bottom but wouldn't dominate it too much.

I really liked that I could stamp a longer sentiment without it totally dominating the space available. It's also the first proper outing for the Winnie & Walter stamps I picked up last year. ;)

For added pop I used 3D foam tape on both layers of the tag, and a button and twine bring everything together, as do the teeny tiny pearls from Kaisercraft that I have had for probably a decade now!

It's been fun delving into my older supplies in an effort to use what I have in terms of paper collections and embellishments.

Make sure you check out the wonderful projects from the rest of the Design Team, and play along if you can!

Happy crafting!

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Winnie & Walter - Sentimental Birthday stamps (r) Shop at: MISC	The Stamp Market - Jumbo Tag dies Shop at: EH | MISC | SBC	Versafine - Onyx Black ink pad Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tonic Studios Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
3M Scotch double-sided foam tape Shop at: AZ | EH	Lawn Fawn - Stamp shammy cleaner Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC	MISTI stamping tool Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Sizzix - Sidekick machine Shop at: AZ | SBC	Thermoweb iCraft - Purple tape for die-cutting - 1 1/2" Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (maxi) Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC

WOYWW - a January preview

As mentioned earlier this month, I have got the stitching bug again and have been enjoying stitching here and there on these cold dark evenings in front of the telly and away from my workdesk/craft desk where I spend most of the day for my work-work.

It's really helped separate things out a little better since I work from home and spending too much time in my shared work office/craft room tends to leave me uninspired when I actually need to make a project.

So doing some crafting in another room when I close that office door has helped ensure I feel more inspired on a weekend to make card projects.

Last week I received the new Bloom & Grow Stitch-along kit in the post from Caterpillar Cross Stitch:

It's my first time dabbling with evenweave and having read about and watched a few videos on gridding, I decided I was definitely going to need it.

So the day the pattern for January's section went live (last Friday) I was actually also waiting to receive my spool of easy count thread to do the gridding.

Friday evening I was still gridding until 1 a.m.:

And with the power of the ER Season 1 box set on Channel 4 on demand and James May's Our Man in Japan on Prime, I managed to get to a point on Saturday evening (having got in around 6) where I could get some more gridding done and finally sew a few rows of stitches.

Big mistake.

I should have left it until I was more awake rather than sew that first row at close to midnight.

The next morning I'd realize I'd used the grid as the middle line and not the actual centre.

So some unpicking was required and I started again.

This time I messed up by having my hoop the wrong way round and had started in portrait mode not landscape.

So finally, at some point on Sunday morning I started stitching and have done a little each evening.

I will try and share a progress photo soon.

DCM - Cheer someone up!

This week over on the Daring Cardmakers blog, Miri is challenging us to come up with a card project to brighten someone's day.

Well, I thought bright pretty colours were the way to go:

Stamp: Flora & Fauna - Everyday Word Party
Dies: The Stamp Market - Color Block 1, The Stamp Market - Vintage Slides

It took some time to cut out the Color Block die 8 times from assorted AC cardstock (Tropical and Bright packs now at least 10 years old) and twice from white cardstock, but finally it was time to get the background assembled with the aid of liquid glue and I just needed to find a fitting sentiment and way to display it.

So back to my Flora & Fauna Everyday Word Party stamps for the perfect wording.

I used the Vintage Slides dies from The Stamp Market to frame it (and cut those from white cardstock several times to add a pop of dimension).

Before stamping the sentiment, I watered down a little Minty Fresh ink to watercolour the inside of the frame.

And as a finishing touch a little heart sticker and that lovely Avery Elle twine. I wish I could get it in red because this twine is fab to work with. It really holds its shape and ties nicely. :D

That's it for this week - make sure you check out the wonderful projects from the rest of the Design Team here! I hope you can play along. :D

Happy crafting!

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Flora & Fauna - Everyday Word Party stamps Shop at: EH | SHC	The Stamp Market - Color Block 1 die Shop at: EH | SBC	The Stamp Market - Vintage Slides dies Shop at: EH | MISC | SBC	Gina K Designs - Obsidian Amalgam ink pad Shop at: EH | SSS
Lawn Fawn - Minty Fresh ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	Versafine - Onyx Black ink pad Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Bazzill Cardshoppe - Marshmallow Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	PTI - Soft Stone cardstock Shop at: MISC
Avery Elle - Hemp Twine - Aquamarine Shop at: EH | SHC	Ranger - Glossy Accents Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tonic Studios Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Lawn Fawn - Stamp shammy cleaner Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC
MISTI stamping tool Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Distress Sprayer Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Royal Langnickel - Zen watercolour round wash brush set Shop at: AZ	Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Sizzix - Sidekick machine Shop at: AZ | SBC	Thermoweb iCraft - Purple tape for die-cutting - 1 1/2" Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (small) Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC

A challenge of a different kind

So as you may have seen, I've got back into cross stitching thanks to a few discoveries of old projects in the loft and my Deck the Halls cross stitch project I've been working on over Christmas:

It's a relatively old photo from a week or so ago. But I'm now on the bottom third of the pattern. I may even do a bit more tonight when I get out of the bath.

So the challenge is... I've succumbed to temptation and bought the Caterpillar Cross Stitch Bloom & Grow Stitch Along kit... yes another WIP. But this time I'm giving evenweave a go for the first time:

My kit arrived today and the first part of the pattern goes live on Friday in time for me to get started at the weekend.

Lovely colours eh?

Hopefully I'll get the fabric prepped in time as I'm worried about the edges fraying.

But until then I'd best get back to 16 count stitching that Christmas kit. ;)

2020 Card Challenge - January card

Evening all!

Apparently today is blue Monday, so it's quite an apt time for me to share the blue-inspired card I made at the weekend for the January 2020 card challenge prompt:

Stamps: The Stamp Market - Just Because STAMPtember 2019 stamp and die bundle (r)
Dies: The Stamp Market - Ready To Bloom Card Cover, Mama Elephant - Framed Tags - Park Avenue
Other: Distress Oxides

This whole card started off life with the background. It's hard to see I know, but it's from a Distress Oxide on glossy paper ink smooshing session. You can see the ink colours used below, I have to say I really liked how it turned out and it's helping a little to keep me away from the temptation of alcohol inks! ;)

I was also inspired by the cherry blossom in the prompt and remembered that I had a new blossom cover plate to try from The Stamp Market that I picked up in a sale. But how to incorporate it without it looking odd against the background? 

With a frame from Mama Elephant also cut from white cardstock. Rather than 3D foam I layered up areas of the frame and blossom cover with layered pieces of cardstock, and that's worked really well at adding dimension without too much bulk.

Finally, I needed a focal point and sentiment that would bring everything together. Another new product outing was the STAMPtember bundle from The Stamp Market. I used one of every die cut in the bundle on the card and combined pink shades for the leaves with Stormy Sky Distress Ink for the flower – a really nice muted blue as it turns out.

And that's it for this project! :D

 

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The Stamp Market - Just Because STAMPtember 2019 stamp and die bundle Shop at: SSS	The Stamp Market - Ready To Bloom Card Cover die Shop at: EH | MISC | SBC	Mama Elephant - Framed Tags - Park Avenue dies Shop at: EH | SHC	Altenew - Blush dye ink Shop at: EH | MISC
Distress ink pad - Stormy Sky Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Distress Oxide ink pad - Chipped Sapphire Shop at: EH | SBC	Distress Oxide ink pad - Spun Sugar Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Distress Oxide ink pad - Tumbled Glass Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Hero Arts - Soft Granite ink pad Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC | SSS	MFT - Pink Lemonade ink pad Shop at: SHC	MFT - Tickled Pink ink pad Shop at: SHC	Versafine - Onyx Black ink pad Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Altenew - Red Sunset ink cube set Shop at: EH | MISC | SHC	Bazzill Cardshoppe - Marshmallow Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Ranger Gloss paper Shop at: AZ | SSS	Tim Holtz - Distress Micro Glaze Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Tonic Studios Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	3M Scotch double-sided foam tape Shop at: AZ | EH	Lawn Fawn - Stamp shammy cleaner Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC	MISTI stamping tool Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Tim Holtz - Distress Sprayer Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Thermoweb iCraft - Purple tape for die-cutting - 1 1/2" Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (small) Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC

DCM - Something New

This week over on the Daring Cardmakers blog Ruth is challenging us to embrace new things.

Whether a card to mark a new start or new addition, new products or new techniques, January seems to be the perfect time to try something new!

My new items are some supplies I bought before Christmas but didn't manage to use yet having been in the Christmas cardmaking zone:

Paper: Simple Stories
Stamps: Flora & Fauna - Everyday Word Party
Dies: Concord & 9th - Sew Striped, Lawn Fawn - Spring Showers

I've recently got back into cross stitch. Blame those stitched Christmas tree dies I used on cards back in December and the discovery of my old works in progress from the early naughties when helping get Christmas decorations out of my mum and dad's loft... well the bug has taken hold again because this is what I've been working on over Christmas:

The Deck the Halls kit by Caterpillar Cross Stitch available here. It's lovely and I went for the 16 count option.

But anyway, I digress...

I was in a stitching mood still, so wanted to feature stitching on my card.

No problem with the Concord & 9th Sew Striped die that would let me stitch some lines (in rainbow shades of course to chase away the January blues).

I then created the card around the theme with cloud dies for the sentiments – also new stamps from Flora & Fauna.

A few sparkly elements to finish off the look and the card was done.

Make sure you check out the rest of the wonderful projects from the design team and play along if you can!

Happy crafting!

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Flora & Fauna - Everyday Word Party stamps Shop at: EH | SHC	Concord & 9th - Sew Striped die Shop at: EH | MISC | SBC | SHC	Lawn Fawn - Spring Showers dies Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC	Versafine - Onyx Black ink pad Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Neenah Classic Crest 110 lb smooth Solar White cardstock Shop at: AZ | EH | SSS	Simon Says Stamp - Fog cardstock Shop at: SSS	Pretty Pink Posh - Sparkling Clear Confetti Mix sequins Shop at: EH | SSS	Marvy Jewel Picker Shop at: AZ
Tonic Studios Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	3M Scotch double-sided foam tape Shop at: AZ | EH	Lawn Fawn - Stamp shammy cleaner Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC	Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Sizzix - Sidekick machine Shop at: AZ | SBC

DCM - January elemental inspiration

Well the first proper week of January is over, the post-Christmas daily grind has resumed and the January blues may have set in.

But not to worry, if you need a little crafting pick-me-up, we have a great new Elemental Inspiration challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers Blog this week to kick off our dares in 2020!

It was down to me to choose the image, and even if you're far from enamoured with the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2020 (Classic Blue by the way - and currently very popular in many a challenge and craft post I see) the image offers lots of elements that could be featured on a card.

I went with a rather clean and simple look to ease me in after finally winding down Christmas card production:

Paper: Pebbles - Jen Hadfield - DIY Home (r)
Stamps: The Stamp Market - Handpainted Rose, PTI - Sentiment Staples: Birthday
Dies: The Stamp Market - Handpainted Rose

So the elements I went with where blue stripes, a single flower, and droplets to mimic the beads on the dish and various dot elements.

I was also determined to use product that was still in my "new" bin on my desk. This included the stamps and dies from The Stamp Market for the rose, the sentiment stamps from PTI which fit nicely in the open space available, and the clear droplets I bought on sale to try out.

More practice is needed applying those as I ended up smooshing Glossy Accents a bit trying to detach the droplets from my jewel picker while the glue was still too wet.

Another thing I need to work on in January - patience! lol

Make sure you check out the fab projects from the rest of the design team, and play along with the challenge if you can!

Happy crafting!

 

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PTI - Sentiment Staples: Birthday stamps Shop at: SSS	The Stamp Market - Handpainted Rose stamps Shop at: EH | MISC | SBC	The Stamp Market - Handpainted Rose dies Shop at: EH | MISC | SBC	Altenew - Blush dye ink Shop at: EH | MISC
Lawn Fawn - Ballet Slippers ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC	MFT - Insulation Pink ink pad Shop at: SHC	The Stamp Market - Leafy ink pad Shop at: EH | MISC	The Stamp Market - Mossy ink pad Shop at: EH | MISC
Versafine - Onyx Black ink pad Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Altenew - Red Sunset ink cube set Shop at: EH | MISC | SHC	Neenah Classic Crest 110 lb smooth Solar White cardstock Shop at: AZ | EH | SSS	The Stamp Market - Clear droplets Shop at: EH | MISC
Ranger - Glossy Accents Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Marvy Jewel Picker Shop at: AZ	3M Scotch double-sided foam tape Shop at: AZ | EH	Lawn Fawn - Stamp shammy cleaner Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC
MISTI stamping tool Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Thermoweb iCraft - Purple tape for die-cutting - 1 1/2" Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC