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Thursday, 31 December 2009

1 Card every month from 2009.

When I was looking at Kath's blog the other day she was showing one card for every month this year. I've noticed that other people have done this too and it is really interesting to see the range of cards and projects that have been produced over a year. So I thought I would try to post some of my cards too. I'm not sure that these are my favourite cards from every month but here they are. I only started blogging in late June so I have only had to find 7 cards.

June 2009 is a Gorjuss Girl.
July 2009 is a sweet little House Mouse.

August 2009 is House Mouse again.

September 2009 is House Mouse at Christmas.


October 2009 is Penny Black at Christmas.


November 2009 is a very sweet Tilda with a Present.


December 2009 is Penny Black at Christmas made for my son.

Looks as if I like Penny Black and House Mouse a lot. I also like Sugar Nellies, Whiff of Joy, Magnolias and Pink Gem images. And Hero Arts - in fact I have been very naughty today and placed orders with the Glitter Pot, Sir Stampalot and Craft Obsessions. Oh dear!! But I am going to have some of the lovely new 2010 Hero Arts stamps to play with, among other things.
Not sure what to think. I don't know if I have a particular style or not. What I do know is that I have really enjoyed this last 6 months blogging. I have "met" some lovely people and feel as if I have made new friends through blogging. I am on a DT with some lovely talented girls. I love to check out other people's blogs - there are so many talented people out there in blogland and everyone is so kind with their lovely comments. I have become a follower of lots of you so that I can see what lovely cards and projects you are making. I am inspired by so many of you and I think (hope) my work has improved since I started blogging. I'm looking forward to another year in blogland and more great ideas and best of all friendship. We crafters are very generous and I see examples of this all the time with RAKs and blog candy giveaways. I'm hoping to get together a proper blog candy soon after some mini giveaways this year.
I love to read all your comments and I'd really like to hear what you think of my part year in cards.
In case I don't post again in 2009 I'd like to thank all my blogging friends for their support and encouragement throughout the last 6 months and to wish each of you all the best for 2010.
Kat xx

Wednesday, 30 December 2009

Quixotic Paperie Mystery Candy.

Hi girls me again! Have you heard that Elaine at Quixotic Paperie is giving away some yummy mystery candy with a value of approximately £40. All you have to do is post about the candy on your blog and show everyone your favourite card from all the cards you have made this year. Simple.....well no not really.

This is a favourite card, it's the one I made for my husband and it's one of the last Christmas cards I made this year. If you want you can read more about it here.
I hope you'll want to nip over and check out Elaine's blog and read about her mystery candy and enter for a chance to win. I'm sure it will be great candy because Elaine sells great products in her shop at Quixotic Paperie I can really recommend her shop for great service and great prices.
Just thought I'd spread the word so that as many people as possible have a chance to check out this candy. Entries must be in by midnight GMT on 5th January 2010.
Kat xx

Sugar Bowl 25.

Good evening girls. Here I am at the last minute again. I've had 4 weeks to do this and here I am. My excuse is of course that I had a lot of Christmas cards to make. I was reading blogs earlier and Angela at Sparkly Cards was showing a card she had done for the Sugar Bowl challenge and I thought I would get on and get one made after tea. So here it is.

I used this lovely rabbit from Sugar Nellies, available from Funky Kits, and coloured it with Promarkers. My DP is the lovely Nana's Nursery from DCWV. I used a Martha Stewart flower punch to make flowers from the DP and the plain lilac card. The flowers are finished off with card candy from Craftwork Cards. I doodled round all the edges with a black pen. Lillian has given us a lovely sketch to work with and I wish I had been able to do it more justice. The added option is to use your favourite colour. I'm sure you can guess mine. I'm not called Lilackat for nothing!!


I have some baby cards left but they are a definite blue or pink so I thought lilac would be nice for a change! Hope you like and I'd love to read your comments if you have a minute to leave one.

I'm off to see if I can rake out my favourite cards for every month since I started blogging.

Kat xx

Tuesday, 29 December 2009

Favourite Card.

This is one of my favourite cards. I made it for my daughter and son-in-law for Christmas this year. I love the sweet Skating Henry image from Whiff of Joy. I love these papers from Bo Bunny so much that I only used them for two cards lol! How sad am I? I thought this card would do for the Stamp Man Best Crafting Project of 2009! Not sure if it's my best project this year but I just love everything about it. The colours of the gorgeous, glittery DP; the cuteness of the image and the style of the card. I was a bit slow at making my first easel card but once I had done one I was hooked. I made lots of easel cards for Christmas. The only thing that bothers me is that I'm sure most people who got them didn't realise how to sit them up. My daughter didn't!!



What do you think. Anyone like it? I was checking out Kath's blog yesterday and she has posted one card for every month. I thought that was a good idea. Maybe I'll try that - if I can find a good one for every month. I only started blogging in late June so that is just 7 cards. I've made so many though lol!

See you later, or tomorrow,

Kat xx

Monday, 28 December 2009

Pink Gem Blog Candy.

Hi everyone. I've just been catching up with my favourite blogs after Christmas and found some lovely blog candy. Janet at Pink Gem Designs is giving away 6 of your own choice of her fabby stamps. All you need to do is pop over to her blog and enter her blog candy draw. It is open until 18th January. I've entered as I love Janet's designs!
Kat xx

Thursday, 24 December 2009

Happy Christmas!

Hi everyone, I'd just like to wish you all a special Christmas and best wishes for 2010.

Since I started my blog in June I have "met" so many lovely people from all over the world. I have been inspired by so many of you and learned so much. I've discovered Promarkers, working from sketches, digi images and so many wonderful websites which sell gorgeous goodies. I've been lucky enough to win challenges and blog candy. So next year I am definitely going to give away some blog candy too. Best of all I've been privileged to be a part of the Totally Gorjuss DT.

Now that I've finished everything and I'm ready for Christmas Day I think I will have a look at some of my favourite blogs.

Have a lovely Christmas everyone and don't eat too much (as if!). See you all soon.

By the way the ABC Christmas Challenge blog is having a blog hop starting on Christmas Eve. So if you're all up to date or have some time to spare over the next few days why not pop over and join in. Each DT member has candy to give away and the main prize on the ABC Christmas challenge blog is a set of Popcorn Christmas stamps.

Kat xx

Wednesday, 23 December 2009

The Last Two.

Good evening girls. Here I am with my last two cards. Should have had these done sooner but I've been missing checking out my favourite blogs so I've done a bit of blog hopping this week instead of crafting so much. I don't think I'm all crafted out with Christmas or lost my mojo, I just think I'm feeling like slowing down a wee bit.

I've been at work every day and just need to survive till 12.30 tomorrow and that will be me till next Tuesday afternoon. Next week will be better cos I'll just have Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning as my colleague will be back. Even better since I've done Tuesday morning and then Thursday this week she will do the next Monday (4th Jan)for me. In Scotland we should have 2 Bank hols in January but we were given the choice of 2nd off and work 4th or work 2nd and 4th off and the preferred option was back to work on the 4th. The Post Office excuse for doing us out of a holiday is so that the network is all the same. It's never been the same before and it's never bothered anyone before. It'll be interesting to see what they do next year!!

I'm waffling! Below is the very quick card I made for my son. One of my favourite Penny Black images, my favourite Cuttlebug snowflake, Martha Stewart snowflakes, card candy and sentiment from Craftwork Cards, MME DP and stickles. I stickled the hats and just realised that I forgot to do the snow under the sledge. I've done it now!! Lastly this is the special card I made for my husband. He gave me a great big soppy card and I don't think I can compete with that so this is what he is getting LOL!! I think this Penny Black image is really cute and I love this gorgeous DP from Fancy Pants. I have used my favourite snowflakes again and this very useful card candy. The image is coloured with Promarkers and the sentiment is from Penny Black too. I bought the lovely snowflake charm from Quixotic Paperie. I got some lovely charms there for other occasions too - you should have a look. Elaine has some great goodies - I never have a look without buying something. The prices are good and you get great service.

I am going to enter some challenges with these cards but I will come back and add that on tomorrow as I really need to go to bed now.
The challenges I am entering are:-
ABC:- K for kissing.
Susie's sassy challenge:- a touch of gold.
Magical Crafts:- Special Christmas card.
Penny Black:- Christmas charm.
Create 4 Fun:- Sketch.
Creative Card Crew:- Anything goes.
Crafty Creations:- Anything.
Stamp Something:- Holiday somethings.
See you tomorrow girls. Only 2 more sleeps now till Christmas, or 3 (hopefully) till I see my gorgeous grandchildren.
Kat xx

Tuesday, 22 December 2009

Nearly there!

Quick post this evening as I still have my last 2 cards to make.

First of all these are the gift cards I made for my son and daughters. I am giving them money this year as I don't know what else to give them! As Oliver is just 6 weeks now I thought Catriona might like to treat herself soon. And the other two are not easy to buy for at the best of times. I am giving them little bits and pieces of course but they can always go to the sales and find something they really want.

Yesterday we unexpectedly got a card from my husband's aunt so last night I had to quickly rustle up another one of my easel cards. I love easel cards, somehow they are so quick to make and look quite effective. Hope she likes it.
I think this card will fit the Simon Says Stampchallenge.
Lastly this is the card for my younger daughter. She liked a card that one of my crafting friends made with a Forever Friends image so I thought she might like this image too. Hope so!!

Well I'm off now to see if I can find a little bit of inspiration for these last two cards!

Kat xx

Monday, 21 December 2009

Still making cards!

Just when you think you're nearly finished! Thought I only had to make cards for my husband, son and younger daughter but today we got a card from an aunt of my husband. She doesn't usually send us a card so I had to quickly get one made. I also made one for my daughter. Need to take a photo and let you see them tomorrow.

Hope the snow, if you have any, is not too bad. Not a huge amount here but we live in the country where the roads are very narrow and icy. Not nice.

See you all tomorrow.

Kat xx

Saturday, 19 December 2009

I Haven't been idle!

Back again just to prove that I haven't been idle! Yesterday evening I made these 3 simple gift money holders for my nephews so that I could post their Christmas presents. I had made some gift card holders for my nieces as we sell gift cards in the Post Office - yes it is a plug!! I have always given my nieces and nephews (great) a book token since they were very small. But now the eldest is 18 and at uni and the youngest is 14 so I thought maybe a gift token would be more useful! Snag is my 3 great nephews live on the Isle of Lewis and even though the gift tokens are valid in a vast range of places I don't think they would be much use in Stornoway lol! I had a Christmassy gift card holder and just altered another card for my nieces but had to make something for the boys. Now as we all know boys are difficult to make cards for so I wondered what to do. I found these ovals from Craftwork Cards and realised that they would be ideal. Just a small deckle edged card and the image coloured and matted onto white card which had been embossed in the cuttlebug and matted on red card. I made a little pocket on the inside with some red DP and stamped a House Mouse "To: From:" image and stuck it inside too. I think it worked out ok and looks quite effective. Need to make some more for my own kids too.


Too complicate things my middle nephew is 16 on Christmas eve. I had a brainwave that I would use one of the Mikey downloads that I got from Charmed Cards and Crafts in July when my youngest nephew had his birthday. I thought it would be quicker to use a ready coloured download. Mistake!!!! I spent ages looking for DP to go with the image. Eventually I found these papers and I hope the card is ok LOL!!
I almost forgot that I am entering this card in the Cupcake challenge which is for a 5x5" birthday card.
I also had to make gift card holders for Poppy and Oliver. This is the one I made for Poppy. You might recognise the image from the gift tag I made for the TG challenge for this week!
As you can see it is very like her Christmas card. It's a little smaller and doesn't have as many embellishments.


And this is the one for Oliver. I had already done this one for challenge a wee while ago.

I posted most of my cards yesterday. And yes it was the last day for 2nd class mail!! I was so busy at work that I was having bother getting the last of them signed. Of course I hit one or two snags. I went to put my cousin's card in the envelope and discovered that it didn't fit. So next year I need to send them a square card cos I've got an envelope with their address label on it. But my best was when I opened my brother's card to sign it and discovered that I had put the insert in upside down. So I had to take it home and sort it. At work I have 3 to hand out and 3 spare!! I think I'll make the gift money holders now and think about my husband's, son's and daughter's cards tomorrow. It's been a long time since I've read the papers properly. The other night I read the births and death's in my two papers for about a week just so I could put them in the re-cycling bin lol!

By the way if anyone read yesterday's post where I said we didn't have much snow - I was wrong. It came on about 1pm and by the time I went to work at 1.45 there was quite a lot lying. I live on a minor country road which tends to drift so today coming home from work at 12.30 was not a lot of fun. This is the sort of weather when I miss my Freelander. Thank goodness Volkswagens are really good in snow. A VW Golf is not very big but it sure can go through snow.

Kat xx

Totally Gorjuss 10 Gift Tag.

Just a quick post as I am late posting the gift tag I made for this week's Totally Gorjuss challenge. In my defence I should add that I had it made in time but I wasn't sure when the challenge would be posted on the TG challenge blog. I hope some of you can manage to enter this week as it could be a very quick make when you are all so busy. Last week we were really pleased to have the most entries so far so I hope you can pop over and see what the rest of the DT have done and give it a go.

I stamped Bumblebee, coloured her with promarkers and added some spica glitter gel pen on her dress and her hair ornament. I used nesties to cut the circles and added some ribbon. So there you have it a very quick gift tag.


I am also entering a couple of challenges with this tag:-

Passion for Promarkers :- Anything but a card and any colours.

Allsorts challenge :- Anything but a card.

If you look at my next post you will see how this gift tag forms part of a theme for Poppy's Christmas!


See you soon,


Kat xx

Friday, 18 December 2009

Phew!!!

Hello everyone. Hope no-one has too much of this snow we've been promised! Nothing here at all. Bit frosty but that's about it. You might think it would be bad up here in North East Scotland but it's never as bad as you might expect. We are not far from the North Sea as the crow flies so we tend to be quite lucky. On the other hand when it is bad it is really bad!!!

Anyway here I am with the last of my cards. At long last. I finished them yesterday and sorted them all out for posting and handing out. I had totally lost the plot as I have handed out some on 4 separate occasions and posted one overseas. Unfortunately I forgot that I had another airmail one....sorry Michele. My excuse is that I've never had airmail ones before! Then I went to my labels and that was a mess. Since I had handed out some with handwritten envelopes I had some labels I didn't need so I decided to just do another set. But then my programme played me up so I gave up that idea and went back to last years and spent time deleting and shifting. Success - printed them BUT I had forgotten 2 so I added them on, deleted the rest on that page and.....yes of course I did....you guessed....I put the sheet in the wrong way round and got them on top of 2 others. Tried again and managed to get it right...at last.

So the envelopes are addressed, appropriate cards to certain people (well you wouldn't send a modern looking card to your husband's nearly 90 year old auntie would you?) and some even written. All I need to do now is finish writing them. Well no.....I still need a birthday card for a teenage nephew plus a card to put money in for his Christmas and also for his 2 brothers. I need a gift card holder for Poppy, a birthday card for a friend for 28th Dec and of course I still have to make special cards for my husband, son and younger daughter. Nearly forgot I still have to do my DT creation for TG.

Work is awful....on Tuesday I had to put big parcels outside my door in the PO.....I had a little corridor through them, plus 2 full mailbags with small parcels and letters plus a few on my floor. It got to the stage it was them or me and since I had to serve people it had to be me inside the PO!!!

I think I may be prevaricating here instead of making a card for a teenage boy LOL!!

So here are my last 7 cards. I think it's ok to post them as I'm sure my teamies at TG are much to busy to look at my blog!





Now I am off to do that card and get some wrapping done for posting......and how could I forget....write the rest of my cards. I wouldn't mind but there are always some where you want to add a little note. Need to tell some people about Oliver and had a card from friends who said that they had just got a new grandson on 7th December so I need to send a congrats card...luckily I had a baby boy card so that saved making one.
Off to get busy and I'm sure I won't get a minute's peace at work so I can't leave any of the writing till I go to work LOL!!
Looking forward to the weekend,
Kat xx


Wednesday, 16 December 2009

Some Easel Cards.

Just a quick post girls to prove that I'm still alive!! I've been making a few easel cards since I made my first one last week.

On Monday evening I had my Christmas meal out with the Guild. Scottish friends will probably know that this is a Church of Scotland organisation and although it is open to all, in practice usually most if not all members are female. On this occasion we had two male guests. One is a batchelor and the other was tragically widowed earlier this year. Poor lads they thought they were just out for a nice meal and a chat. But no-one told them about the entertainment. Our president is always full of fun and we had 4 teams doing a quiz, a game consisting of singing the first line of a Christmas carol. We finished by splitting into two teams and each singing a different song at the same time. We really had a great time, it was a lot funnier than it sounds and I think our two males enjoyed themselves. I'm sure if anyone had come into the hotel and wondered who was making all the noise they would not have thought it was the respectable ladies of the Guild some of whom are actually quite elderly!!


Anyway at the weekend I made the six cards below. All different in some way.

On Tuesday morning I made another six - again all different.


Lastly on Tuesday evening I made another 7 cards. Different again in some little way.





This evening so far I have not made any cards but I have prepared all the bits for another 7 cards. Hopefully then I will have enough cards!! I will still have special cards to make for my husband, son and younger daughter. I also need a birthday card for a teenage boy and 4 or 5 gift card holders. Not to mention my DT creation for Totally Gorjuss!! To crown it all I have not managed to comment on the TG challenge entries and I've heard that there are lots of entries this week. Could be a busy day tomorrow. On the bright side I totally ran out of double sided tape but my daughter very kindly brought me some when she was out shopping today.
See you tomorrow.
Kat xx

Sunday, 13 December 2009

So Cute!

Good evening girls I hope you have had a lovely weekend. It has been a lovely sunny, frosty day here. I made this card last night for a few challenges. I love Henry Mouse from Whiff of Joy, he is so cute. I still have special cards to do for my family but I like the colours of this one so much that I think I might keep it for my daughter and son-in-law. I already have one each for Poppy and Oliver so I just have 3 more special cards to make!

I bought this gorgeous glittery Bo Bunny DP last Saturday and it has taken me a week to use any of it. That's quite quick isn't it? I also used my favourite Cuttlebug snowflake and Martha Stewart snowflake, cut from glitter card, spotty ribbon and a lilac jewel. The card candy coloured with Promarker and the sentiment are from Craftwork Cards>. I also need to point out that you can't see from the photo any glitter on the pompom on his hat. That is because I forgot to add it before I took the photo. It's glittered now lol!

Do you like it? I'm really into easel cards now!! Long after everyone else. My reasoning is that I don't have to finish the inside or do an insert. I've actually made 3 more easel cards this afternoon and I've got the ideas and all the bits and pieces to put together to make another 8.

I'm entering the following challenges:-

Mojo Monday :- Sketch.
Whiff of Joy :- Whiff of Joy image and sparkle.
Creative Inspirations Wednesday Challenge :- non-traditional colours.
Colour Create :- Lilac or purple with aqua, black and white. Well they don't call me Lilackat for nothing LOL!!

Now I'm off to see how many more cards I can get made tonight. I'd really like to post tomorrow but I also need to iron so I'll just see what I can do. I can always post on Tuesday!!

Bye for now,

Kat xx

Saturday, 12 December 2009

Totally Gorjuss 9 Free and Easy.

Good afternoon everyone. I'm a bit late with this post but I didn't know what this week's Totally Gorjuss challenge was until late last night. Net had a little incident where she thought she had posted the challenge on the DT blog but unfortunately she hadn't. Then I had been so busy making Christmas cards that I didn't check again till later last night. So this is the Gorjuss Girl card that I made very quickly.

I used some Magic Christmas DP from Fancy Pants. The base card is red and I've added some red ribbon and gems and my favourite Cuttlebug snowflake. I also used my nesties to cut out the label shape to stamp my Gorjuss Girl. This was edged in red like the snowflake and I coloured some card candy from Craftwork Cards with a red Promarker. Very quick and simple....just what I need just now. Just realised I've forgotten to add a sentiment. It'll probably be one from Craftwork Cards!


Since we are doing "Free and Easy" this time Net has also put the next card on the challenge blog too. I made lots of easel cards on Thursday and Friday and this is one of them. The DP is the gorgeous Wonderful Winter from MME and the cute image is from Penny Black. Another of my favourite snowflakes plus a small Martha Stewart one. The card candy, sentiment and flower are all from Craftwork cards again.


I love these easel cards. I must be one of the last people in blogland to make one though LOL!! It is so long since I first saw one that I couldn't remember where there was a tutorial so I just did my own thing.

The second card fits these challenges:-

Pile it On :- Tinsel Town - glitter.

Simon Says Stamp :- Let it snow. Stickle snow under sledge.

The Secret Crafter :- Snow.

Create 4 Fun :- Easel card.

Stamp Something :- Winter wonderland.

Daring Cardmakers :- Polka Dots.


Hope you want to go over to the Totally Gorjuss blog to have a look at the rest of the DT's creations. As usual they are amazing and this week we have a great prize for you.....a surprise stash bag. Hope to see all your amazing entries during the next week. And now I am off to make some more cards. Think I still have at least 20 to make....oh dear!!

Kat xx

Tuesday, 8 December 2009

Last One Today.


This is definitely my last post this evening because I still haven't done my Tesco home shopping order yet!

I've just used the same sketch as before. Another Sizzix snowflake, another Penny Black hedgie coloured with Promarkers, some more card candy from Craftwork Cards and some MME DP. Simple and quick. I usually spend ages choosing an image and papers so this is quite a change for me. But now I'm just glad to get another card in my box.

I'm sure most of you will agree with me that the number of people who get a hand made Christmas card and actually appreciate it is probably very small so it is probably daft to go to too much effort. Having said that if I had time I would most likely do different cards for everyone and put the same amount of effort into every card. Really I just enjoy the challenge of making a different card every time lol!!

I'm off to take a photo of the card now and add it to this post. Sorry about the quality of the photo, the silver snowflake doesn't take a good photo in artificial light!

I won't be able to do anything tomorrow as I'm getting my hair cut after work and then probably going to a friend's house for a crafting session. Then in the evening I'm going for my first Christmas meal with my friends from the WRI. I'm really looking forward to this as we have a lovely meal and what we call in the North East of Scotland a "good news".

See you on Thursday.

Kat xx

Warm Wishes.

Hi girls me again for the second time today. I finished this card this evening after work. I was hoping to enter it in the Whiff of Joy challenge. I might be too late now though. Never mind another Christmas card is very welcome. I followed the sketch from Whiff of Joy and coloured this lovely image of Henry mouse with hot chocolate....yummm, with Promarkers. I used some lovely wassail DP from Basic Grey. The card candy and sentiment is from Craftwork cards. I used a Martha Stewart punch to edge of a piece of cardstock with a double hole scallop. The flowers are white ones from Hero Arts which I also coloured with a Promarker and finished with brads.

I think this also fits the Stamp Something challenge :- Glitzy somethings - I've added some jewels and stickles on the hat.
Whimsy :- Die cuts.
the Pink Elephant :- Favourite Christmas colour combination.


I managed to make this card this morning just to see how it worked and whether I would make any more similar to it. I think I might. The large snowflake is a Sizzix die. The image is Penny Black again coloured with Promarkers. The sentiment and card candy is from Craftwork Cards again. Not really much to it but it would be quick to do and I could vary the image and the DP which this time is MME colourful Christmas.

I've used a sketch that I followed some time ago because I thought it would be simple and quick to follow to make a few cards. After checking out some of the challenges I often enter I think it would fit the Creative Card Crew challenge which is gold or silver.

I'm off now to explore another couple of ideas I've had. I really need to get a move on because once I've finished these cards I'll be the lucky person who has the privilege of writing them. I also know for a fact that I need to revise my labels to sort the ones I don't need any more and the ones where the details have changed.

Maybe if I'm really quick (lol) I'll be back with another card later.

Kat xx

White Cards.

Good morning girls and what a beautiful morning it is here north of Aberdeen. Lovely and sunny and not too cold.

I've not been a very good blogger recently but I have been busy. Today I have the evidence!! 18 mainly white cards that I have been making over the weekend. At my crop on Saturday the main thing I did was put a lot of inserts in the cards I had got finished over the last few weeks. I also did a bit of preparation for these ones. I tried to do plain and simple but I ended up with embossing and snowflakes and jewels and card candy and ribbon lol! So much for quick and easy. Well they were easy but they also involved tying and edging and colouring and sticky pads. I had loads of Cuttlebug snowflakes and Martha Stewart snowflakes so that was a help. And of course at this time of year the oval sentiments from Craftwork Cards are just ideal.

I seem to have used mainly Penny Black images from the "Holly Day Critters" collection as they are the ideal size for the scalloped circles cut with nesties. The hedgie and snowman on sledge is from the "Holly Jolly" clear set. I love these clear stamps, they are so versatile and you get a good selection for a reasonable price. I have also used the House Mouse "Ho! Ho! Ho!" wooden stamp.
I don't think there is anything else to say about these cards. Believe it or not no two are identical as I have used a selection of sentiments and different embossing plates. Which is funny because for years I bought my cards from Save the Children and latterly from Guide Dogs and I always bought packets and packets of identical cards so that I could just sign them and address the envelopes without having to decide what to send to whom. This is the third year now I have made all my cards but before this I have made a few the same of various designs. I'm making progress. When my friend saw the ones I had with me on Saturday she thought I must have a lot of patience to have made so many different cards but I think maybe you need more patience to make a lot the same. What do you think?
I have another idea for some quick cards so I am off to make myself a coffee now and see how that turns out. I am crafting this morning instead of housework and my excuse (if I need one!) is that I only have 75 cards made and I think I need about 100 or so. I like to have some just in case ones so I'll probably try for more than 100 LOL!!
Hope to be back later with something else before I have to go very reluctantly to work. I came home shattered yesterday after being on my feet from 8.30-5.30 (with an hour for lunch but no coffee breaks as there is only one of me!) but after I had my tea I was happy to get on with my cards again. A bit of crafting always makes you feel better doesn't it?
Kat xx

Sunday, 6 December 2009

Gift Bag.

Good afternoon girls and not a bad one either. For once the sun has been out and it has been light enough to take a photo. Bit of luck really that I'm at home while it is still light. Before long I'll be going to work while it is darkish and coming home when it is dark again. Still once we get into January things will improve again. We just have to get Christmas over with LOL!! Believe me the Post Office is NOT the place you want to work at this time of year. Even a little sub post office like ours is a nightmare just now.



Anyway here is a little double-pocket card I made yesterday evening. I made it for the House Mouse challenge. I followed the recommended tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers and it was very easy to follow. Even I couldn't fail to make a reasonable job of it. I thought it would do for Poppy so when I went into the shop for my Sunday paper I got some sweeties to put in it. I couldn't believe it when the girl said "that's £1.04." I usually buy a pack of 3 packets from Tesco if we are going to my daughter's for a visit so I had no idea how much they cost. I suppose I'd be showing my age if I said that when I was little most kids got thruppence to spend!!!



I digress! I coloured the sweet little House Mouse image with Promarkers so I can also enter the Passion for Promarkers challenge which is anything but a card. The circles are cut with nesties and the tag with a tag punch. Nice and simple and quick and looks quite impressive even if it is very simple! I'm not sure why I thought I had time to make this when I only have about half the cards I need. I can only plead temporary insanity :) lol!



I was at a crop yesterday and spent most of the time putting inserts into the cards I've got finished. Still some to add the rest of the inserts that I've printed. I also made a couple of cards which were not completely finished as I did not take any jewels or buttons - I thought I had enough stuff with me without a lot of little bits and pieces. We finished off with tea. The owner of the shop very kindly went to a local Chinese restaurant and brought back whatever we all wanted. One of the other ladies had also made a beautiful sponge with 3 layers of sponge with cream and strawberries and we all had a piece of that in the afternoon. A really lovely surprise was when one of the ladies' daughter arrived with her 6 week old grandson. We all had a shot of holding him and he is just gorgeous and so good.

I'm off to finish those cards now and check out some other ones that need a wee tweak. Funny how you think a card is finished and then when you look at it again you think it could do with a jewel or a button or something just to finish it off.

See you all later.

Kat xx



Friday, 4 December 2009

Totally Gorjuss 8 Net's Sketch.

Here it is then girls - my card for this week's Totally Gorjuss DT card. Net has given us a fabulous sketch to follow. You can rotate it if you want and add your own bits and pieces to glam it up as long as we can see the original sketch.


I used the wonderful MME signature Christmas DP. I coloured the lovely Gorjuss Girl with Promarkers. I added a sentiment and card candy from Craftwork Cards and finished off with some flowers and some glittery ribbon. And I think that's it. Nice and simple and if I use different images and papers I could make some more Christmas cards reasonably quickly.

Silly me I nearly forgot to say that this week we are sponsored by the lovely Joanna Sheen who has donated a £10 voucher for the lucky winner to spend on her fabulous website. Joanna has lots of gorgeous goodies in her web shop at great prices and there is no p&p to pay. Added to that her customer service is fantastic, you often get your order by the next day - even up here in Aberdeenshire. So why not enter this week's challenge you could have £10 to spend on goodies next week.

I'm hoping to enter some challenges with this card too.

Crafty Cardmakers :- No red or green.
A Spoon Full of Sugar :- No red or green.
Cute Card Thursday :- Swirly Girly.
Paperplay :- No red or green.

Hope this is ok. I'm off now to try and prepare some things to take to a crop tomorrow.

Kat x

Thursday, 3 December 2009

Just Magnolia 35.

Here I am with my second post today. I managed to make this today in spite of the fact I had to waste time going out shopping for 3 Secret Santa parcels. But at least that's done now and at least I've got another Christmas card done! This is one of my lovely new Magnolia images and I couldn't wait to ink her. I coloured her with Promarkers. I think this Basic Grey Wassail is just perfect for this image, I love the colours in it. I used a Martha Stewart edge punch to make a lovely lacy edge for one of the layers. The tag was made with a tag punch and I added some card candy from Craftwork Cards and a charm from Elaine at Quixotic Paperie. The flowers and brads are from my stash.



The challenges I am entering are:-

Just Magnolia :- Sketch.
Cupcake :- Red and green.
Quixotic Paperie :- Be charming.
Simon Says Stamp challenge :- So charming.

Now I need to get on with my DT card for Totally Gorjuss. Can't believe we have another challenge due tomorrow. Hope some of you are going to join us this week - remember you don't have to use a Gorjuss Girl although you do get two shots if you do.

See you soon.

Kat xx

White Card

I made this quick little card the other evening and this is me just getting round to posting it. I thought I would make a plain card that would be quick to do and I could make a few of them and add to my stock of Christmas cards.

I have not used a sketch for this one as I just meant to do something plain but of course I couldn't help myself I had to add snowflakes, card candy, ribbon and buttons!

I used my Cuttlebug to emboss the front of my card. Then I used nesties to cut a scalloped circle and stamped this cute Penny Black image which I coloured with Promarkers. I added some card candy from Craftwork Cards. I added my favourite cuttlebug snowflake and Martha Stewart snowflake, both cut from glitter card. The sentiment is also from Craftwork Cards. I finished off by tying some white ribbon round the card and adding a button on top of the knot and another to the large snowflake. And that's it!

I think it will fit a few challenges.

Daring Cardmakers :- White with a hint of colour.
Allsorts :- Buttons.
Sophisticat challenge :- Snowflakes and sparkle.
The Pink Elephant :- Colour with your favourite medium - I used Promarkers.
Creative Card Crew :- Christmas.

I really quite like a white card with just embossing for texture and I think I might make a few more variations on this one.

I have another card to post so I will be back in a little while when I've taken a photo of it.

Kat xx

Wednesday, 2 December 2009

Sugar Bowl 24.

Good evening girls. Here I am at the last minute again. You wouldn't think I had had two weeks to do it and here I am at this time of night!

I have had this sweet Sugar Nellies image, available from Funky Kits, for ages and this is the first time I have inked her. What an admission! I love this sketch that Marlene has given us for the Sugar Bowl challenge. I coloured the sweet image with Promarkers and edged the rectangle with a matching Promarker. The DP I used is the lovely MME signature collection which is lovely and glittery and thick and just gorgeous. I finished off with some card candy from Craftwork Cards and my "zig zag" is the lovely blue velvet ric rac across the middle.


This is just another view of the card as sometimes when you have to take a photo at night the colours come out a bit funny. I'm not sure if I should have added a sentiment. I might do that before I send it out. All I need to do is get about another 50 or so cards made before the last posting date.

I am quite pleased with this card for once. It is quite easy to make a half decent card when you have such lovely DP and such a sweet image. And of course a great sketch gives you a good starting point.

I hope to get a reasonable number of cards made tomorrow on my day off. Not sure you ever get as much done as you think you will when you have a whole day off. I have to go out first thing to get two presents for two nights out - the WRI and the Guild and one for a crop on Saturday.

I'm off to post this now before it gets any later. I have another card to post from last night but I might leave it till tomorrow.

Kat xx

Tuesday, 1 December 2009

Christmas Kisses.

Good evening girls I've made another quick Christmas card that I hope fits some challenges.

I used this lovely sketch from Creative Inspirations Wednesday challenge blog. This sketch is really easy to use and I can see me using it again. It also fits the Simon Says Stamp challenge which is winter love. Aren't they cute. This lovely image is from Funky Kits.

I used Promarkers, nesties and stickles. Card candy and sentiment from Craftwork Cards.

Since this is now card no. 45 and I still need a lot more than that I am off to see if I can make a quick card. Sorry to be such a bad blogger recently but as soon as I get my Christmas cards done I will have more time to go round my favourite blogs commenting again.

Kat xx