Cuddly Buddly #5 - Petals and Pearls

It's Friday and time for another challenge from Team Cuddly at Cuddly Buddly!
This week we want to see Petals and Pearls so it's time to go girly!
It was my week with the designs from Bits Of Ivory and I decided to go with colored clip art and a coordinating paper and sentiment.

Challenges:
Clear It Out - Anything Goes
Digi Doodles Shop - Anything Goes
Totally Stampalicious - Anything Goes
2 Sisters - Anything Goes
Allsorts - Anything Goes (3 entries only)
Creative Craft World - Anything But Birthday
Crazy Challenge - Ribbon (2 entries)
Stampin Bee's - Ribbon
Anything Goes - Pick Of The Bunch (flowers)
Paper Pretties - No Markers
Amber's Crafts - Patterned Paper (1 entry only)
Crafts and Me - Ribbon
Creative Craft Challenges - 3D or Decoupage

Card Recipe:
Image - Kitchen Garden by Bits of Ivory
Sentiment - Garden Vignettes by Bits of Ivory
Paper - Cottage Collection in Poppy by Cuddly Buddly
Doily Dies - French Pastry and English Tea Party by Cheery Lynn Designs
Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts and Treasures by Shabby Chic
Pearls - Recollections
Border Punch - Martha Stewart
Ribbon - Stash

I printed two copies of the clip art and cut them both out. Then I popped up just the fruit part on the second part for more dimension. I used two different doily dies to mat them on and added flowers in a semi circle. I added pearls to the punched border and was all done!
I hope you enjoy this one and will be coming by to play with us at Cuddly Buddly this week :)
Katie

Digital Delights - Will You Be My Gnomeo?

It's time for more new cards from the super team over at Digital Delights
This week I went with the super cute Mr Gnome and made a fun romantic card.

Challenges:
Clear It Out - Anything Goes
Totally Stampalicious - Anything Goes
Papercutz - Anything Goes
2 Sisters - Anything Goes
Allsorts - Anything Goes (3 entries only)
Daisy Doodles - Anything Goes (with a digi)
Crafty Emma's - Humor
Shopping Our Stash - Buttons, Blooms and Bananas! (chose 1 or more, 13 challenges max)
Creative Craft World - Anything But Birthday
My Mum's Craft Shop - Fab N Funky (well I think he's both!)
Truly Scrumptious - Buttons and Bows

Card Recipe:
Image - Mr Gnome
Paper - Hometown Summer by Pink Paislee
Medium - Copic Markers
Sentiment - Will You Be My Gnomeo?
Heart Buttons - Dress It Up
Spotted Button - The Paper Studio
Ribbon - Hobby Lobby
Felt Hearts and Chipboard Corner - Colorbok

I hope you like this funny little guy, I just love him!
Be sure to drop by the blog at Digital Delights to see what other wonderful creations the team have made.
Also to get a start on your Christmas cards Wendy has a sale on Christmas Images that you really should check out!
Katie

The Pixie Cottage Challenge #80 - Emboss It!

It's time for another "Once Upon a Wednesday" at The Pixie Cottage and this week it's a super easy challenge, we want you to "Emboss It!"

Challenges:
Thrilling Thursday - Anything Goes
2 Sisters - Anything Goes
Totally Stampalicious - Anything Goes
Papercutz - Anything Goes
Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes (3 entries only)
Clear It Out - Anything Goes
Crafty Ann's - Embossing
The Crafty Pad - Embossing
AI Factory - Layers (at least 2)
Phindy's Place - Double Up (use two of something, I used two stamps masked together)
Totally Gorjuss - Punch or Die
Everybody Art - Garden

Card Recipe:
Image - Apple Bench by Sandra Hammer and Darling Sisters by The Greeting Farm
Paper - Jack and Jill Paper Pad by Prima
Medium - Copic Markers
Embossing Folder - Sizzix
Die Cut - Spellbinders Large Scalloped Circles
Sentiment - Garden Vignettes by Bits of Ivory
Butterfly Die Cut - Marianne D Creatables
Pearls - Bridal Dept
Roses - Wild Orchid Crafts

This is the fabulous sketch we have for you this week!

I masked the two images together and I absolutely love that there are so many of The Pixie Cottage stamps, in both rubber and digital versions, that work as backgrounds to the very popular character stamps made by other companies. This makes them so versatile and the perfect compliment to your stamp collection.
We hope you can get out your embossing folders or powders and heat gun and join in with us at The Pixie Cottage this week.
Katie

Magnolia Monday #11 - A Sweet Strawberry Tilda!

Happy Monday!
It' week 11 of my "Magnolia Monday" link party!
Each week is "Anything Goes" you just need to link up and share!
This week I'm still in the Summer mood and so today Tilda has been picking strawberries!

Challenges:
Thrilling Thursday - Anything Goes
Allsorts - Anything Goes (3 entries only)
Papercutz - Anything Goes
Totally Stampalicious - Anything Goes
2 Sisters - Anything Goes
Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes (3 entries only)
Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sketch
Totally Gorjuss - Punch or Die
Magnolia Down Under - Paper Tole or 3D (my jam jars are cut out and popped up)
Magnolia-Licious Challenge - Red, White and Blue
The Poodles Parlour - Red, White and Blue
Kaboodle Doodles - Stitching (real or faux)
Papertake Weekly - Getting Cute
Just Magnolia - What's Cooking?
AI Factory - Layers (at least 2)
Paper Pretties - Embossing
The Crafty Pad - Embossing
Crafts and Me - Flowers
The Beary Scrap - Inspired from your Closet (I wear a lot of denim and red)
Catered Crop - Inspired by Challenge Card (I chose red, white, blue, strawberries, faux stitching, ribbon, border punch)
Stamp Something - Something Embellished
Crazy Challenge - Ribbon (2 entries only)
One Stop Craft - 1 Ribbon/Lace, 2 Patterned Papers and 3 Buttons
Wags N Whiskers - Buttons and Bows
Paperplay - Ribbon, Lace and Buttons
Frosted Designs - Buttons
Little Miss Muffet - Summer (1 entry only)
Fussy and Fancy - Summer
Hanna and Friends - Summer
Bloggers Challenge - Summertime
Fairytale - Summertime

Card Recipe:
Image - Strawberry Tilda
Medium - Copic Markers
Digital Paper and Sentiment - Kitchen Garden Designables by Bits of Ivory
Digital Paper and Jam Jar Clip Art - Kitchen Add Ons by Bits of Ivory
Border Punch - Martha Stewart
Embossing Folder - Sizzix
Lace - Wrights
Ribbon - Stash
Roses - Prima Mini Roses
Bows - Offray
Buttons - Dress It Up

I used a lot of different things with Tilda this week, Digital Papers, Clip Art, embossing and more. I love to mix and match and with so many downloadable goodies around the choices are endless!
I cut out the jam jar clip art and popped it up on a pop dot, then I added a tiny bow and button to the lid.
I hope you like it and please if you have a Magnolia card on your blog today, Monday July 25th, then please add it to my link below so we can come and see!

Katie

Guest Designer at Lexi's Creations - Shaped Cards

Hi Everyone!
A couple of weeks ago I won a challenge at Lexi's Creations and the prize was to join them as Guest Designer!
It was a fun week that they asked me to join in with as the challenge is "Shaped Cards!". These are always a challenge to me but it wouldn't be a challenge if it was easy would it?

Challenges:
Thrilling Thursday - Anything Goes
2 Sisters - Anything Goes
Papercutz - Anything Goes
Top Tip Tuesday - Shaped Cards
Crafts 4 Eternity - Shaped Cards
Whoopsi Daisy - Shaped Cards
Happileigh Scrappin - Shaped Cards and Special Folds
Do You Stack Up? - Wings (3 entries only)
Corrosive - Cards for Kids
Charisma Cardz - Sunshine Colors
City Crafter - Beach
Daring Cardmakers - Wish You Were Here
Just Tracy's Crafts - Summer Holidays
Creative Craft World - One Holiday (Vacation)
Hanna and Friends - Summer
Crafty Purple Frog - Take A Dip
Creative Calendar - Under the Sea or Water

Card Recipe:
Image - Splashin Fun Ollie Duck
Paper - Fly A Kite Lime Twist Collection by My Minds Eye
Medium - Copic Markers
Die Cut - Spellbinders Labels Ten
3D Stickers - K and Co
Dewdrops - Robin's Nest

I used the largest size of the die to make the base for the card and made it into an easel style.
It's another duck, my 3rd card in 5 days, so much fun!
I hope you enjoy this one and will get into the "shaped card" mood and come and play at Lexi's Creations
Katie

Pile It On - Fun In The Sun

EDITED TO ADD - Was chosen as an Artists Pick at Hand Stamped Sentiments!
Got a Gold Medal at Thrilling Thursday!Thanks so much!!

It's Sunday so that means another chance to Pile It On!
This week we are asking for creations with the theme of "Fun In The Sun!".
We have a brand new sponsor and it's the designs from the super artists at Paper Pretties!

Challenges:
Digi's With Attitude - Anything Goes
2 Sisters - Anything Goes
Papercutz - Anything Goes
Clear It Out - Anything Goes
Thrilling Thursday - Anything Goes
Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes (3 entries only)
KB Cute - Use a Digi
Stamp With Fun - Sketch
Papertake Weekly - Getting Cute
Moving Along With the Times - Cute and Cuddly with A Punch
Do You Stack Up? - Wings (3 entries only)
Crafty Ann's - Embossing
The Crafty Pad - Embossing
Kaboodle Doodles - Embossing
Paper Pretties - Embossing
AI Factory - Layers (at least 2)
Aud's Sentiments - Sentiment to make you Smile
Charisma Cardz - Sunshine Colors
Prairie Fairy - On Holiday/Vacation
Daring Cardmakers - Wish You Were Here
Bunny Zoe's - Fun In The Sun
Polly Craft - Summer Fun
Hand Stamped Sentiments - Summer Fun
Hanna and Friends - Summer
Crafty Purple Frog - Take A Dip
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Cool It! (and ribbon)
Deep Ocean - Ribbon
Totally Gorjuss - Punch or Die

Card Recipe:
Image - Webster by Paper Pretties
Paper - My Minds Eye Fine and Dandy True Blue
Medium - Copic Markers
Sentiment - Printed
Embossing Folder - Sizzix
Fabric Brads - Heidi Grace
Border Punch - Martha Stewart
Twine - The Twinery
Button - Stash
Ribbon - The Whimsy Cottage

This is such a super cute image, it just makes me smile!
I know that my family back in England would love to see some more sun for this Summer but here in Texas I'd be very happy to send it you and have some cooler, even rainy, days!
Anyway, the sunshine colors are so much fun to create with that you just have to join in with us at Pile It On this week
Katie

Digital Delights - Summer with Dilly Duck

It's another Thursday so that means some great cards from the design team over at Digital Delights!
This week I've chosen to merge two images and a sentiment to make a gentle Summer scene.

Challenges:
Clear It Out - Anything Goes
Digi's With Attitude - Anything Goes
The Craft Garden - Use a Bird
Papercutz - Something You Find In The Sky (a bird)
Crafts 4 Eternity - 3 2 1 (I used 3 images, 2 ribbons and I paper)
Fussy and Fancy - Summer
Alota Rubber Stamps - Circles
Papertake Weekly - Getting Cute
Deep Ocean - Ribbon

Card Recipe:
Images - Circular Tree Background and Dilly Duck and Ladybug
Sentiment - Ice Cream Sentiment Set
Paper - Beach Babe by Fancy Pants
Medium - Copic Markers
Ribbon - Hobby Lobby and The Whimsey Cottage
Buttons - Stash

It was nice to use 3 digital images together on one card and these ones all seemed to go together nicely.
I hope you'll drop by Digital Delights and take a moment to see all the other wonderful creations from the Design Team.

The Pixie Cottage Challenge #79 - Fun with Food

It's another "Once Upon A Wednesday" over at The Pixie Cottage
This week we want you to get in the kitchen and have a little "Fun With Food!"

Challenges:
Clear It Out - Anything Goes
Allsorts - Anything Goes (3 entries)
Digi's With Attitude - Anything Goes
Birthday Sundaes - Anything Goes Birthday
Thrilling Thursday - What's Cooking?
Catered Crop - Card Inspiration (I chose the theme, the colors red, white and green, coloring and faux stitching)
Creative Inspirations Paint - Inspired by a Favorite Die
Do You Stack Up? - Stitching
Deep Ocean - Ribbon
Everybody Art - Dots

Card Recipe:
Image - Sweet Molly by Eileen Gutierrez
Paper - Citronella by K and Co
Medium - Copic Markers
Doily Die - English Tea Party by Cheery Lynn Designs
Butterfly Punch - Martha Stewart Medium Monarch Butterfly
Pearls - Bridal Dept
Sentiment - KI Memories
Ribbon - Hobby Lobby

This bright and cheery color combo works so well with this cute image and was a nice change from the lighter pastels.
Molly looks like she's in sweet heaven and we hope you will be too when you come over and play with us at The Pixie Cottage this week!
Katie

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Tag You're It!

Edited to Add - Placed in the Top 3 at Ooh La La!.Thanks so much!!!

This week at A Spoon Full of Sugar we are challenging you to include Tags.
You could choose to add a tag to your card or make tags instead of (or as well as) a card.
I decided to make a Trio of Teddy Bea Tags!

Challenges:
Clear It Out - Anything Goes
Allsorts - Anything Goes
Ooh La La - Tag It!
Crafty Catz - Tags
Bearly Mine - Tag You're It!
Crafty Ann's - Embossing
Kaboodle Doodles - Embossing
Frosted Designs - Use a quote
Papertake Weekly - Getting Cute
Stamptacular Sunday - Animal Antics
I Did It - Animals
Die Cut Dreams - Animal Antics
Creative Card Crew - Animal Antics
Teddy Bo and Co - Teddy Bea Only
Fresh Brewed Designs - 3 of Something
Bunny Zoe's - Fun In The Sun
Polly Craft - Summer Fun
Happileigh Scrappin - Make Your Own Embellishment

Tag Recipe:
Images - Ladybird, Ladybird, Teddy Bea Bee and Sitting, Waiting for You all from Teddy Bo and Co
Paper - Stella And Rose Mabel by My Minds Eye
Medium - Copic Markers
Sentiments - Cloud 9
Flower Punches - Family Treasures
Ribbon - Hobby Lobby
Rhinestone - Michaels $1 Spot
Tag Die - Accucut Tag #4 Large
Embossing Folder - Sizzix

I used 3 different sizes of the same style flower punch and after punching I put them through an embossing folder. Then I layered them and slightly cupped the petals up and added a rhinestone to the center.
These are all so cute and I think I'll add them to a scrapbook layout or two, or maybe save them for a special gift.
I hope you've enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed making them.
Katie

A Photo Tour of my Crafting Space

In an earlier post I shared my video tour and if you missed it then I'll add it again.



However I know many people either can't watch You Tube or prefer photos so I have them too.
Be sure to click on the photos for the larger images so you can see all the details.
If anyone has any questions about anything you see, where you can buy it, how you make it etc, feel free to leave a comment or email me through the link in the sidebar.
I will try and add details to all photos, but beware, there are 27 of them! LOL

I have my room set up in "stations" so that all alike products that do a certain thing are organized in the same space. This means it's so much easier to create quickly and with deadlines speed is often of the essence in this room!

This is what greets you at the top of the stairs as you enter my space. My Cricut lives here with the cartridges and then all my stuff waiting to be altered. I also use this space for my mailing station, I have a postal scale and boxes for when I sell my crafts.

Here is my wall of punches. These are all "old style" pre Martha Stewart. I have been a "Punch addict" since I started paper crafting and so have gathered a big collection. Sadly these tend to get a little neglected in favor of the newer styles but some, such as circles, squares, tags etc, will always be used.

This is where I keep over-sized dies, embroidery floss and some craft idea books/patterns.

Martha! I use can risers to store the punches as it makes a little space work really well. I got mine at Target but I know the container store sells them too in the pantry section.

A closer photo of my favorites :)

Here is my coloring station. All my Copic's are here (this is almost a full collection, less than 20 greys to go to complete it). In the silver caddy I have my other alcohol markers and the wooden container holds "hot" tools like my glue guns, heat guns and heated knife.

Here is what I fondly call the "Make Up Station". Here are all the things to make you shine! Glitter, Stickles, flocking, micro beads, fabric paint, liquid pearls and all the special adhesives are stored together.
Above the unit is my Magnolia clock.

The die cutting station.
I have a full sized Accucut that I use for long dies and when I want to cut multiple dies at one pass. The Big Shot is used for embossing and all the wafer thin dies.

Under the die cut machines I store my 6" by 6" pads, ready to grab.
Also there are other types of glue, Mod Podge etc. Then next to them are the embossing folders and wafer thin dies.

Here is my wonderful desk! The work surface is a full 4' by 5', lots of space to spread out. The island is made of Jetmax cubes that are raised up on my plinth that my lovely husband made from wooden and base board molding. The top is a piece of MDF trimmed with wooden beading and then painted white to match. The front side holds all my 12" by 12" cardstock and my paper stacks and other designer paper.

On this side are small drawers that hold my wooden dies, Sizzix dies and Big Shot dies.

The other side has paper too. Sorted by color.

This is one of two Expedit units from Ikea that I have in my room. This one holds all my completed scrapbooks, photos waiting to be scrapped, ink pads, embossing powders, tape refills etc.
The brown boxes hold large chipboard sheets, some larger acrylic stamps, specialty papers and other things that don't have another home :)

This is the other Expedit and it holds (going from top to bottom) my rubber stamps, my color cubes, Christmas products and then my acrylic stamps.

This embellishment center hold my distress inks and refills, memento inks, rhinestones, printed chipboard accents and vintage style paper flowers.

These boxes hold my chipboard letters. They were from Ikea but have sadly been discontinued. I took all my chipboard letters apart from their original packaging and sorted them alphabetically.

A close up of two of the "color cubes". I am a "by color" crafter and so it made sense to organize by color too. All embellishments come out of there original packets and get sorted by color. There are a few exceptions (Wild Orchid Crafts and Prima flowers for example) but the majority get stored this way. I can grab the embellishment jar of the color I'm working with and have all my buttons, brads, etc all ready to choose from.

My rubber stamps are stored in these boxes by Sterilte from Target. They fit perfectly in the cubes and I sort by company apart from the wood mounted $1 stamps (from Michaels and Joanns) and they get sorted by theme.

Here are my embellishment letters. There are letter brads, acrylic letters, letter tiles etc and they all get sorted into the spice jars from Ikea. Also here are other metal accents such as jewelry finding, charms and metal beads.
For the jars for the letters I used Rajtan Spice Jars set of 4.
The Burken jars that fit are the 17oz ones
The Burken Spice Jar fits but only in the larger sections of the Making Memories unit so I was limited to their use.

Here is my computer and my theme drawers. Each drawer holds items relating to a distinct theme, for example Baby Girl, Birthday, Wedding, Summer, and all I have to do is take out the drawer and all the items are there. I store stickers, themed ribbons, so themed paper etc in there.
The rug was another Ikea purchase, I thought it looked like a piece of designer paper!

Here is an example of what is in the drawers.

Above the window I have floating shelves that I keep my favorite items I've made on.

Sorry for the bad shot. Under the shelves are florescent tube lighting.

These final photos show the layouts I have on display around the room.
I use curtain rods from Walmart, the Better Homes and Gardens brand.
I looked online and they don't have the exact ones I used but they've been up a few years. The trick is to use the Clip Rings to hold the layouts. They come in a pack of 7. I get 6 layouts on each rods so need 12 rings. They work with any rod less than 1" thick.

If you made it this far I hope you liked it and if you want to know more just let me know!
Katie