Chantilly Rose

Christmas Paint Fusion release!

2011-08-14T17:53:00.005+01:00

Ok, so these posts were supposed to be staggered as sneak peeks throughout this week, however all I have done this week is work and sleep so it didn't happen! You already all know by now that our Sheena has released six new stamps to the Paint Fusion range for Christmas, and here are the samples that I knocked up for the new DVD and shows. So here is the whole lot in one go....

First up we have a circular box using the new Wreath and Garland set, done with a yellow crackle and embellished with a Tim Holtz christmas ticket.

Next up we have a heart shaped box with pink crackle, using the Christmas Rose set...

Then we have the Pine Cone set....

Pine tree plaque.... embellished with die cut letters using a Tim Holtz die

Ceramic fusion! I used an old tile from my Dad's garage and porcelain paints, which you cook in the oven to make dishwasher safe etc. The Ivy set is my favourite one I reckon, and can be used all year round..

Another box using the same Ivy set...

Next up we have the Holly set, my other favourite of this release

Finally a couple more playarounds with the stamps and the ceramic paints, I made a tealight holder out of an old jam jar and a set of four coasters

Hope you enjoy!

Katie xx

Spectrum Noir and Swalk Launch - Sneak Peek 2

2011-07-28T09:13:00.003+01:00

Morning!

Day two of my drip feeding you information and general blurb about this weekend's launch :)

Colours used:

Hat: 99, 104, 142

Hair: 102, 142, 132

Skin: 142, 133, 132, 196

Water: 178, 0

Dungarees: 100, 104

Shirt and Fishing Rod: WG5, WG1

Puppy: WG1, WG0.5, 99 ,171, 37

I generally don't make boys cards, as for me, if it doesn't contain flowers and glitter then it's not finished.. but hey ho ... to me this looks WAY too plain and simple but good for a man I suppose! Maybe I should have added buttons... but it's too late now .. it's already sent off for the launch!

My Thursday list is very long so I had better get going!

xxxx

Introducing the 'Speccies' .... and a sneak peek of this weekends launch :)

2011-07-27T19:34:00.004+01:00

Good evening all

I know that technically my blog has been a little quiet recently - it doesn't however mean that I haven't been doing anything! I've been working on top secret releases non stop in various forms, that I can reveal to you bit by bit over the next month or so :)

Anyway, unless you've been on another planet you will have realised that this week saw the launch of the amazing new Spectrum Noirs - that have already been affectionately named the 'Speccies'....

My DT pack arrived in the post last week and I have to say, I am converted! I have always been a traditional watercolour painting girl, but I decided to step out of my comfort zone and attempt to work with alcohol markers. It took me a while to realise that it wasn't going to look like a watercolour, but once I had got my head around that, I was away!

Firstly here are a few of my first attempts using the pens .. please bear in mind that I have only ever used Copics once, so I am far from an expert or experienced - but they blend like a dream and make it really easy! If I can do it (and shock horror colour without the use of a brush), then anyone can :) I'll be posting up a more detailed review later in the week.

Also being launched this weekend are new releases from Humphrey and Swalk ... here is your first sneak peek! The papers are from the original Humphrey CD.

Speccie colours are as follows:

Lottie - CG 3, CG 1, CG 0.5

Dress - 33, 45, 38, 35, 48

Chocolate Box - 98, 92, 5, 48

Outline - BG 1

Anyway back to work :)

Katie xxx

Congratulations Richard and Bryony!

2011-07-25T11:34:00.002+01:00

On Saturday evening we had the pleasure of celebrating the engagement of my friends, Richard and Bryony! He has put a suitably pretty ring on her finger in a suitably pretty setting, so I am allowing him to marry her :P

This is their engagement card - made using embossed and sanded layers of Black Magic Core d'inations cardstock, Liquid Pearls, organza and satin ribbon, flowers and pearl headed pins from Wild Orchid Crafts, and a sentiment from Raindrop Echo Designs. The photo isn't great but I snapped it as I ran out of the door in my high heels on the way to the party! There is also a little key charm behind the heart but it is hiding in this photo :)

I'll be back later reviewing the new Spectrum Noirs!

Katie xxx

Project Bathroom - Katie is back!!!

2011-07-14T16:45:00.007+01:00

So, the infamous bathroom project is now complete!

It wasn't without hiccups and vomiting brothers, but after lots of work it is finally finished!!

First off here are some of the grotty 'Before' pictures - lots of exposed pipes, dodgy pipework, years and years of limescale, holes in the wall, and some strange interior design choices from the previous tenant (who was a guy, obviously).....
Mid project I did nearly have a heart attack - I had completed two of the three coats and went to bed, and when I woke up, I went downstairs to this, shock horror, what is that hideous thing doing, on top of my shelf, in my beautiful bathroom???!!??!!?!?!? What had I possibly done to deserve this?!!

Arrrrrrrgh!! Needless to say this monstrosity was pulled down and disposed of within seconds, and replaced with something more appropriate! MALES! You cannot even class that as a shower curtain fit for human use!

Now onto the finished photos .................................:)

Crystal light pull, of course.....

Obviously I also needed to buy some plush new super fluffy white towels.....

The bathroom cabinet isn't mine to remove, so I decided to remove the hideous blue panel and turn it into a display area... worked pretty well!

The back of the door is now re-glossed and my lovely towel rail has been replaced - just don't grab the towel too enthusiastically or it will fall off **cough** ...........

The second window is also looking infinitely better with a lick of white gloss paint.....

I'm not crazy about the mirror thing that is in this bathroom, so I prettied it up by painting a few blossoms around the corners, and added a wicker heart thingie that I got in TKMaxx, which matches in great with all the white ceramic accessories........

Check out how white that grout is!!! Literally hours of scrubbing with bleach has made it sparkle like new :)

Love love love my home

K xxxxx

One Pound Bargain

2011-07-04T20:54:00.003+01:00

So, about 6 weeks ago (possibly longer), I picked up the MOST hideous cabinet known to man from a car boot sale in Peterborough while I was visiting a friend.

I then proceeded to leave it in the boot of my car for said six weeks! I forgot to take a proper 'before' photo, but you can see on the frame around the mirror that it started off life a bashed up, yucky red colour.

I sanded the entire thing and then gave it two coats of brown emulsion.

Yo working hard on her mirror at the same time!

I then used diluted PVA glue and cream emulsion paint to crackle the entire thing, inside and out, it took ages! Once it was all thoroughly dried (which didn't take long in the sunshine), I sanded and scuffed up all the edges so that the brown showed through. Hopefully this made it look a bit more aged!

I varnished the entire thing and then embellished it with various flowers, ephemera and pink liquid pearls, typical Katie style!!

It is now going to house my ever growing collection of jewellery - not bad considering it only cost me a pound!

a very sunburnt Katie

Product Spotlight - Tim Holtz Core'dinations Cardstock

2011-06-28T12:47:00.004+01:00

Afternoon all

Over at Crafter's Companion this week they will be featuring this awesome new cardstock on Create and Craft TV, and as usual they kindly sent me some goodies to have a little play with.

Most of you probably know what this is all about, but for those that don't, here's the blurb:

"This stunning 12"x12" cardstock pack is the result of Core'dinations teaming up with Tim Holtz and Ranger to bring you a collection of the most popular Distress colours. This Tim Holtz and Ranger Distress Collection contains one sheet each of thirty six differnet colours and is sandable with no white core. "

You can nab yourselves a pack of this for £19.99 over at the Crafter's Companion website.

Meanwhile here are a few of the samples I've thrown together.

Obviously Core'dinations cardstock really comes into it's own when it is embossed and sanded to reveal the coloured core. On this card I have embossed a brick design onto the background, sanded it back and then inked certain areas using Brushed Cordoroy Distress Ink. It is also great for die cutting and tearing, as you can see on this card.

More embossing and sanding, all inked up with a good helping of the matching Distress Inks..

It is also a good weight at 240 gsm, so can easily be scuffed up on the edges using either a blade or your distressing tool, without giving the harsh look of a white core...

It also scores and folds without the surface tearing, making it ideal for all types of projects. On this one I've also sanded back some of the edges to roughen it up a bit and make it a bit less pretty

Anyway for lots more tips and tricks be sure to tune into the shows later this week - I'll let you know when they're on when I know :)

Happy hugs xxxxxxxxxxx

Crafter's Companion Accredited Training Program - a few photos

2011-06-24T17:45:00.004+01:00

This post has been a while coming, but we are finally allowed to share a little bit of information about an awesome training program that I was lucky enough to be invited to this year with Crafter's Companion...

We ate. SO much!!! All. The. Time!!!

We spent three days learning everything there is to know about the entire product portfolio, how to demonstrate it, customer service, etc!

Yeeaaaaah ... you're not getting any hints on the next releases from me ;)

The family photo.... made some amazing friends with some brilliant people

All in all it was pretty much just awesome :)

xxxx

Adorables Sneak Peek # 3 ... and Heidi's return!!

2011-06-22T08:46:00.003+01:00

Morning all!

Many of my blogging buddies will know that around 6 weeks ago, the lovely little Heidi went missing from our garden and didn't come back :(. We spent so long searching for her, trawling through fields, putting up posters, talking to everyone in the village, dropping out flyers, that to be honest, we had pretty much given up hope of ever seeing her again.

Anyway, last night, I missed a call on my landline (missed it deliberately actually, as it was a withheld number), and when I listened to the message, it was from a nearby vet, in a local village, looking to discuss her with me. I had registered her as missing 6 weeks ago. I presumed that it was another one of those phone calls that I had had from several vets, wanting to know if she was still missing, so that they could update their missing register. However, no, an elderly couple had brought in a stray that had been living at a farm for the past month, and wanted to get her microchipped and adopt her. They were prepared to wait 10 minutes for me to get there and possibly I.D. her.

I dropped everything and drove, fast!

We've had so many calls and possible sightings, that you don't want to allow yourself to even think that it could be her. But it was.

She's a bit grumpy and moth eaten looking, but she is home, now chipped(!!) and healthy, if not a little traumatised and not quite her usual self.

She ran straight up to her spot under the clothes airer.

Now all is left is for me to start writing and sending thankyou cards to the guys that looked after her at the farm, the vets for making the link and the elderly couple who were decent enough to bring her in. I felt bad for them as they loved her and really wanted to keep her, I'm sure they were hoping that it wouldn't be Heidi!

Anyway, on to today's sneak peek....

I reckon this is probably my favourite stamp set of the new release... the papers and borders are from the new CD rom, and the images are all stamped and watercoloured. This is another one of those 'post alcohol fun' cards - so I'm amazed that everything is stuck on straight, and her skin isn't painted orange, or something ridiculous. All is well that ends well!!

Katie xxx

Sneak Peek # 2 ...

2011-06-21T08:38:00.004+01:00

Katie :)

Summer Adorables - Launching This Friday on Ideal World TV

2011-06-20T19:50:00.002+01:00

Evening :)

Just a quick post to show you a sample of the new Summer Adorables range from Crafter's Companion launching at the end of this week, stay tuned for more :) ....

xxx

Raymond Briggs' 'The Snowman' range launches tomorrow on Ideal World TV!

2011-06-13T21:35:00.005+01:00

Yeah, yeah, I know. These sneak peeks were meant to have been posted throughout the last week, but unfortunately life has gotten in the way! Anyway, here they are now, most of you will know that Crafter's Companion is launching a papercrafting range featuring 'The Snowman', tomorrow night on Ideal World at 9PM GMT. Here are the samples that I've put together for the show.

Wooden frame, with snowflakes stamped in white acrylic paint. Kind of liking the 'splodgey' look to them.

Finally a few samples using the CD:

That's it! You know where to go if you want this lot! Now to work on the next release.. obviously I'm not telling you what it is!! Muahaahah

Katie xx

Sentimental Sundays Challenge #58 - Inspired by a Song

2011-06-05T08:00:00.000+01:00

I am scheduling this post as I am going to be away from the computer for a few days - a friend of mine is getting married.

This is my first DT card for Sentimental Sundays, and our theme for this week is 'Inspired by Song'. The song I have chosen is 'Listen', from the musical 'Dream Girls' - I was listening to this earlier and it put me in quite a reflective mood, that movie is full of complex relationships of love and friendship, but also a lot of emotion!

I have used one of Ann's new release sentiments, released on June 1st - 'Ticketed Oval , Vines', and kept it simple, embellishing with just a bit of organza and satin ribbon, some flowers and pins from Wild Orchid Crafts, and the sentiment mounted with 3d pop dots.

I hope lots of you will join us this week!

Katie xx

Crafter's Companion DT June Challenge - 'Here Comes Summer'

2011-06-01T07:47:00.002+01:00

So we have a brand new challenge for you today over at the Crafter's Companion challenge - and this is my first DT project. I've gone for a different look with some of the Sheena Douglass Fusion stamps on this one, and painted directly on to the DP. The theme for this month is 'Here Comes Summer' - let's hope we get some decent sunshine to go with it!

Katie xx

Und jetzt ein bissle Deutsch...

2011-05-30T18:56:00.010+01:00

So, my buddy Sara over at Crafter's Companion contacted me last week to see if I could rustle up some samples for the upcoming TV shows on HSE, Germany. The TV channel had asked for samples that weren't 3D, and that didn't use the crackle technique - something that would appeal to the beginner German crafter. Here are the samples that will be winging their way to Sara tomorrow - hope they're ok!

I've spent a lot of time in Germany over the years (since I was 15, actually), so I have a pretty good idea of what type of thing German people tend to like... they like the traditional look, seasonal decor and a touch of elegance. I'd say conservative also, but I'm sure there are lots of lovely German ladies (/guys!) who like a bit of quirky!

All the painted panels have been double-sprayed with Spray and Shine varnish, so they are actually very shiny, but it doesn't show in the photos, because the weather is all wet and miserable outside :(.

Mr Coppercat looks so real!! :)

That's alles anyway - it was a real Schwierigkeit to keep it simple but hopefully they sind OK!

Thanks auch to my lovely Freundin Nicole who made most of these sentiment files fuer mich!

Katie xxx

A few cards and a special guest....

2011-05-30T09:23:00.006+01:00

Another few to show you today... with the special guest appearance of Mr Copper Cat - a lovely pressie I have recently recieved! He was quite keen to be in the pictures...

Anyway, the first one is the second of two images that I coloured with Copics.. still not sure how I feel about them, I don't think you can knock the watercolour painter out of me!

Lots of sparkle on her wings....

Next up, modelled by my fabulous assistant is another heffalump creation .. as with all my elephants I've coated his skin with Glossy Accents so that he looks more 'elephanty' (is that a word???) Lots of ripping and distressing on these papers (sorry paper!)

This was originally meant to be a vintage themed wedding card... but I think it has become a golden wedding anniversary card... I *may* just have gone slighty overboard with the gold glitter ... let's just say the card isn't the only thing that is covered!! I like to think it adds to my charm.... *cough*!

And finally this is my entry for this weeks 'Less is More' sketch challenge .. I have decided to enter this every week just so that I end up with some cards in my stash that are easy to post, not covered in flowers and glitter and generally more palatable to certain markets! Heh.

Anyway, now to continue with some samples for HSN in Germany... Thanks Nicole for helping with the sentiment files!

Katie xxx

Getting a little obsessed with elephants....and some new direction

2011-05-29T21:18:00.007+01:00

So yeah .. anyone whos knows me, will know that normally owls, llamas, and cats are the creatures of choice .. but I think I may be developing a little thing for elephants? Here are today's creations......

Is it me or is he the cutest ever?!!!

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention - this week I have joined two new Design Teams. I am really happy to be able to say that I am now not only DT'ing for Sheena Douglass, but also Crafter's Companion and Sentimental Sundays. Can't wait to get started!

Katie xx

Challenges

Paperplay - Blossoms and Blooms - all 5 cards qualify for this one!!

Totally Papercrafts - Pink and Girly

Stampavie - Pink

Stamp Something - Something Sentimental

Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes

First attempt with Copics...

2011-05-28T09:22:00.003+01:00

So, I was at my mothers last night and decided to have a go with her Copic markers. The stamp is a new one from Whiff of Joy. An angel washing up? Strange concept, but prettier than an image of a dishwasher, I suppose.

I've added Stickles to the wings and some of the papers. The roses and pearls are from Wild Orchid Crafts, and the papers are by My Minds Eye.

She has come out a bit washed out in the photo, the colours are actually quite vibrant, but the weather here is beyond murky and depressing, so the photo isn't the greatest. So - verdict - Copics are ok, but obviously I am going to wait for the release of the new Spectrum Noirs - duh! :)

Katie xx

Skipping Stones Design..

2011-05-27T12:13:00.006+01:00

Hello all!

Final post for today ... this is my entry to this weeks Skipping Stones Design sketch challenge. I've been stalking this blog for some time but never got around to actually entering!

Anyway, here is this weeks sketch .. I took some creative liberties but pretty much stuck to it, although I am just realising I have forgotten to add a sentiment .. nevermind! I don't think it would have looked right anyhoo.

That's it from me!

Have a good day, I'm off to dye my mother's hair!

Adios! xxx

Crafting Ireland May Sketch Challenge

2011-05-27T11:52:00.005+01:00

I'm sure you have already seen the awesome new Crafting Ireland online magazine - if you haven't, check it out! I am currently working on a little bit of an article for next month, so watch this space. In the meantime, here is my entry to their Issue 1 Sketch Challenge:
I've used amazing DP from Websters Pages, organza ribbon from my local market, Tim Holtz stamps, flowers and leaves from Wild Orchid Crafts, Liquid Pearls, and a new postcard stamp from Crafty Individuals (love them)!

The little butterflies are the result of crafting under the influence of alcohol - I smudged my Liquid Pearls... naughty wine! Anyway, as it happens I quite like them....

Katie :)

"Less is more" Challenge

2011-05-27T11:18:00.003+01:00

So, my friend Nicole pointed me in the direction of the 'Less is More' challenge blog, so I thought I would have a go for a change! Here are the criteria for this blog:

Clean & Simple
A design of card with clean lines, minimal elements, areas of white space and few or no embellishments.
White Space
An area of the card which has no image, layer or embellishment.
This can be any colour dependent upon the colour of the card blank.

The theme for this week is 'Butterflies', so here is my attempt at minimalism:

I used plain white and cream cardstock, the Tim Holtz damask embossing folder, a Wendy Vecchi sentiment stamp with antique gold ink, and some glittery, feathered butterflies that I got in Hobbycraft in Peterborough, while I was visiting my lovely friend Yo!

Katie :) xx

Final Sneak Peek...

2011-04-28T09:28:00.003+01:00

And finally...

Using the largest square paper mache box, this one has been crackled (using a Babyliss hairdryer and crackle slave, as my heat gun has died an untimely death), painted and varnished. I've then finished it off with a sentiment cut using a Tim Holtz alphabet die and red cardstock, and given the letters a raised surface using Glossy Accents. I've also distressed it (poor box) using Distress Ink and then whacked some lace on there with my hot glue gun.

I've got myself a new slave...

2011-04-27T13:38:00.003+01:00

I swear, whenever it's time to take some photos, about 50 cats descend on my workspace to get their 5 minutes of fame.. here are the ones that were successful, we'll call these the outtakes..

What kind of an angle is this?!?!?

Anyway, on to the project, a sunflower wine box, although it could also be used to contain a fancy bottle of just about anything...

I can't take the credit for the crackling on this one, I've gone and got myself a brand new 'crackle slave' - and male too! Boys shouldn't be able to do things like this, but on this piece I am reliably informed that he has done a 'graduated crackle' - going from green crackles at the bottom, to yellow crackles at the top. Anyway - very nice thankyou Mr Crackle Slave, I hope you will stick around for many more fun filled crackle evenings and continue to fulfil your crackle slave potential.

Now, that is DEFINATELY it until tomorrow!!

Katie (and Mr Crackle Slave!) xx

Baby Gift Box, Tulip Frames and Tulip Sympathy Card

2011-04-27T12:00:00.005+01:00

Right ... last sneak peeks before tomorrow!

First up, a sympathy card, although I can think of quite a few applications for this sentiment! ;)

I made a watercolour wash background, and then painted the tulips on using the Pebeo Deco Paints. Then little miss Heidi kitty came along and.... SPLODGE. Hence some strategically placed bees to hide the evidence. Backing papers are K+Co Hopscotch.

Next up a set of Tulip frames, crackled, painted, inked and varnished using Spray and Shine.

Finally, a Daisy gift box, ideally for a baby boy perhaps? Embellished with a Basic grey rub-on and again varnished with the infamous Spray and Shine.

You may have noticed the range of Paper Mache boxes / frames etc that I have been featuring .. well they are also going to be available to purchase on Friday , so watch this space!!

Katie :)

Time for some PINK!

2011-04-27T10:51:00.005+01:00

So, I just realised that I seem to have produced rather more samples than I realised, and have 6 more posts to fit in between now and Thursday evening. So.. better get on with it then...

I was dragged forcibly (almost kicking and screaming I may add), to Focus to buy the relevant emulsions I needed to complete some projects. So, in order to irritate said 'dragger', I picked up the most pink tester pot I could find, and decided to do some pink crackling. I quite like this little one. I die-cut the text using a Sizzlet die and pink cardstock, and then covered it with a layer of Glossy Accents adhesive to give it a raised effect. I then glittered up the pansies et voila! I think the pansy is my favourite of the new release...

Obviously the inside needed to be pink too, it's called attention to detail people!

Katie :)