Some Weekend Reading - Simply Cards And Papercrafts

The latest issue of Simply Cards and Papercraft is out, Issue 115, and you get a fab intricate Christmas tree die with this issue so go check it out!

The making your own embellishments is my article in this issue and I've used paperclay and embossing powders which was great fun. But you will also find the details for the Card Designer of the Year competition (go on you know you want to apply!) in this issue.

There is an extra project with the die on the Papercraft Magazine website and some free digi papers and sentiments to download to get a hold of.

Enjoy your weekend read!

Kim

Reading For the Bank Holiday

It is bank holiday weekend here in the UK and that means extra feet-up and reading time! Which is good 'coz I have quite a few magazine heads-up this week.

I'll do them in order of when they went on sale, so first up is Simply Cards and Papercraft issue 114 which was actually out in the shops last week...

When I got my copy of Simply Cards and Papercraft I had one of those weird déjà vu moments, I was looking at the cover thinking that card with the teapot and cups looks really familiar. Honestly it took me a good couple of minutes to work out that it looked familiar because it was one of mine. *Sigh* think I've been working too hard! It is one of a couple of cards I made with the Silhouette Cameo for the Cardmaker's Challenge.

I also have a masterclass in this issue using your homemade gelatine plates (or your Gelli plates of course) in a bit of card making. If you look close enough to the step by steps you can spot the nail vanish I was wearing that week. I actually had contrasting colours on one of the fingers of each hand but tried very hard not to get that in the shot! 

Next up is Complete Cardmaking Issue 45 which was in the shops yesterday.

I have a whole article about the Silhouette Cameo in this one, so if you have one and want some Christmas Making inspiration or are debating getting an electronic cutting machine then you might want to take a peek at this issue.

Ok, so last but not least, out today is Creative Cardmaking issue 58.

Now in this issue I have four gem-ed to the max makes, using gems to make embellishments and focal points for cards. 

Bling it on baby! 

Bling it on! 

Do you get it? 

*Sigh* I have been working too hard.

I better go before my head explodes.

Catch you all later.

Kim

Some Reading For The Weekend

Some weekend reading to keep an eye out for...

Simply Cards and Papercraft Issue 113 was out last week

I've done a fun article with a retro theme in this issue, but you will want to check out the Melissa Frances cover gift - nice!

ps. Anybody wondering what has happened to my upcoming demo list in my sidebar, the Fiskars demos have been rescheduled for later in the year, so watch this space and I won't be in Reading this weekend.

Catch you later Craftanators.

Kim

Did You Know?...

That the new issue of Simply Cards and Papercraft is out?

It is issue 112 and this month I've got a Sprays and Mists article using Cosmic Shimmer Mist, Ranger Dylusions Ink Spray and Studio Calico Mister Huey's Color Mists. But lots of other articles caught my eye this month so well worth a look-see!

Did you also know... that my Cricut Mini Giveaway will be closing in a few hours? Very last call to add your name if you haven't already!

Kim

The Latest Issue Of Simply Cards And Papercraft

A bit of a break from my schedule of Create and Craft samples this week and a heads-up for the latest issue of Simply Cards and Papercraft instead!

It is issue 111 and it is a corker! Some really lovely articles full of inspiration from some of my favourite designers!

I've got an arty watercolour article with Penny Black stamps from Crafts U Love in this issue. Don't worry I'm not counting myself in my favourite designers list - I'm not THAT big headed! LOL!

Don't forget to checkout the Facebook page if you are on Facebook. 

Have a fun read.

Kim

Magazine Time - Simply Cards And Papercraft

The new issue of Simply Cards and Papercraft is out, issue 110.

Lots of lovely makes as all ways from the design team. My offering this month is making your own wire animals.

Look at me being all on time with my heads-up this month! This issue went on sale last week so you should be able to spot it in your usual stockist.

Catch you later.

Kim

Have You Seen...?

Time for a magazine update and a couple of articles from me, plus lots of lovely articles from lots of other folks too of course!

So first up is Papercraft Essentials issue 93:

I've got a Cut Out and Keep with some yum dies from La-La Land Crafts, you can find them over at Crafts U Love too, and my own pastel papers called a Medley of Pastels which you can find in my Etsy shop. Yeah, I think I need to work on my paper names!

Then there is Simply Cards and Papercraft Issue 109:

I've got a watercolour backgrounds article in this issue using Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gelatos and Stamper's Big Brush pens, well not just backgrounds actually, I've made the embellishments with the Gelatos and Stamper's Big Brush too. You also get a lovely butterfly die with this issue - pretty!

Enjoy your coffee break.

Catch you later.

Kim

Some Weekend Reads

Hey guys, some new magazines to keep an eye out for. You probably have seen these in the shop already as I am a little late with my heads-up! But better late than never?

So this month's issue of Papercraft Essentials, Issue 92, is giving away a bow maker in the cover which is quite a hand little tool if you are anything like me and end up with scrabby (is that a word?) hand-tied ribbons!

I've got an Alcohol Inks Masterclass in this month with lots of ways to use alcohol inks in your makes.

Then there is Simply Cards and Papercraft Issue 108:

Now in this one I've got tips for carving your own stamps from different soft carvable products - one of them erasers, so no excuse not to try it yourselves if you haven't already! You can see one of the cards in the bottom left hand corner.

Right, I'll catch you later! Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway running at the moment! [UPDATE: Giveaway now CLOSED]

Have a fun weekend.

Kim

Simply Cards & Papercraft - Cover Girl!

The new copy of  Simply Cards and Papercraft, issue 107, is out in the shops and how much of a lovely surprise did I get when I opened my copy to see that one of my cards had made the cover! YAY! (Thanks Stéphanie!)

So for this issue I've had some fun with my PanPastel using them with stamps, masks, some resist and on designer papers. Hope you like them!

That's it from me today.

TTFN

Kim

Balancing Life With A Bit Of News

Time for an update! So many plans, so many plans! I don't know why I thought I would have more time this year to sort out my blog? I have some plans, but they keep being pushed to the back burners to make way for commissions. YAY! It is great getting the chance to do what I love on a daily basis and I count myself so lucky, but now I have to learn how to balance everything.

When I was working as an employee there were well defined boundaries and I can't say that I was balancing life particularly well then either. Now, working for myself, the boundaries are far more fuzzy so it seems even more challenging getting the balance right. 

I naively thought that if all the time was your own then it would be easier to schedule what you needed and wanted to do. How wrong was I? But that is life isn't it? I'm learning as I go along and to be honest loving it!

To get the balance right today I started my day with a little bit of experimenting with inks, paints and stamping.

Whilst I wait for the paint to dry, so that I can do the next stage of the experiment, I thought I would quickly update my blog as it has been a bit quiet since Friday's Sparkly post.

I've got a couple of cards in the current copy of Simply Cards and Papercraft, issue 106, if any of you have a copy of it then checkout the Cardmaker's Challenge on page 62. As usual there are some lovely ideas and inspiration in the issue from a whole range of fabulous designers!

Oh and HUGE thanks to everyone who commented on my last Magazine Update post. You guys got me thinking, I love hearing about bloggy friends too and when I thought about it like that I felt better about posting my updates! I'm also going to try Lucy Edmondson's fabulous suggestion and will put direct links to current magazines with my work in my sidebar, thanks Lucy!

So whilst we are on the subject of Magazines, some of you have spotted already that I'm on the new Craft Stamper design team - No Way!? Yes Way! Would you Adam and Eve it?

Thanks so much for the congratulations, and for those of you who haven't linked up already check out the Craft Stamper Website, their Facebook Page, the Craft Stamper Blog and Twitter page.

Finally, a sneaky look at the new stamps that the Creative Expressions team will be working on for the next few weeks...

and you can check out the DT makes on their individual blogs or on the Creative Expressions Facebook page. Mmm, what shall I do with these? Mmm Cogs whirling!

Right, better go do the next step in the experiment.

Any tips on how to balance my life would be much appreciated!

Hope you have a well-balanced day!

Kim

News And Heads-Up, Magazines And Stuff.

I've dropped a bit behind on my Magazine heads-up notices. I'll be honest, I lost track a little bit of where we were with the magazines I had work in and when they were hitting the shelves. I like to check the issue in case my makes haven't made it before I start shouting about it and I think I missed a Simply Cards and Papercrafts. *Sigh* I think it might have got lost in the mail and that threw me a bit! D'oh!

I do these heads-up blog posts mainly for me to keep track of what I've had published and where, it is a bit more interesting to me than my excel sheet that I try to keep myself organised with. But I am wondering if there might be a better way of doing it and if readers of my blog are actually interested?

Well, for want of a better way of cataloguing and spreading the info on my magazine articles here are some heads-up! *Cheeky Grin*

So the magazine I have missing currently from my files is Simply Cards and Papercraft Issue 104 which was on sale in November - I only had two cards in that one, but I can't check as I don't have a copy - so apologies on both the late heads-up and not being able to check if the cards are actually in the issue!

But I do know that I have a little card in Simply Cards and Papercraft Issue 105 - (well spotted Toni and thank you!) and this was out in December.

Ok so another late heads-up, this time for Papercraft Essentials Issue 89 which came out just before Christmas. 

I got to play with the fabulous Washi 12 by 12" sheets from WRMK. Tee Hee!

I shall endeavour to keep more up-to-date with when the magazine articles hit the shops for 2013 or I think of some better way of sharing the info that isn't so narcissistic!

Before I go, don't forget my Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft^® Giveaway. If you haven't signed up already you only have a day left to throw your name in the bag to win some beautiful colouring materials. Good Luck!

Final bit of info is that I'm having a bit of a craftroom clearout on Ebay if anyone wants to snag some bargains. 

Catch you all later my lovelies.

Kim

A Guest Design Team Call And Some Magazines To Look Out For

Hey lovely arty/ crafty hoppers, what have you all been up to? How is your arty/ crafty week going? Well I hope?

I have a heads-up for you, any of you folks interested in trying the Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft® products I've been showing here on my blog then you might want to check out the next Guest Design Team call that is up on the Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft® blog now.

I have a new make for the Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft® blog going live tomorrow - Yikes! I better write my own blog post for it!

In the meantime there are some yummy magazines to look out for -

Papercraft Essentials Issue 87 is out...

I have some bright cards using the new Hero Arts Neon ink pads - Oooo LOVE! But you will need your sunglasses - Tee Hee!

Simply Cards and Papercraft Issue 103 is also out...

I only have a couple of cards in the Cardmaker's Challenge but I mainly wanted to do a shout out for Kevin from McCrafty's Cards wonderful monochrome with highlights card on page 11! Yay Kevin!

Right well, I have a post to schedule and some designing to do so I shall catch you all later.

Look after yourselves.

Kimx

Magazines To Look Out For...

Hey all, what are you up to today?

It is a day of getting ahead with my DT makes for me. I plan to knuckle down and make 12 DT items - Mmm we shall see if I manage it later!

So far I have 11 of them designed and sketched out with papers chosen for 7 of them. I'm just taking a bit of break to give you a heads-up on some magazines you might want to checkout.

First up is Papercraft Essentials Issue 86

I have a Masking Masterclass in this issue using some super cute Lawn Fawn Stamps from Make The Day Special. Hey - checkout the cover gift - oooo sparkly!

Sorry! Distracted by sparkly.

Next up is Simply Cards and Papercrafts Issue 102

I only have a couple of cards in this one for an Autumn Birthday, but you don't get it for my cards do you?! It has lots of lovely makes and another fab cover gift which I will definitely be using at some point.

Ok, so I have another magazine that you might be interested in and this one is a Special feature book magazine for HOTP called Vintage Christmas.

It comes in a box envelope 'coz there is just so much stuff with it! You get the full craft kit including the papers, die cuts, stamps, CD-Rom and then loads of inspiration in the magazine. So if you are looking for some gorgeous vintage Christmas ideas then definitely check this one out!

Right, I better crack on. Wish me luck! 

Hope you all have a great creative Tuesday.

Kim

Making The Most Of Your Monochromes And A WIP

Who is up for a bit of contemporary monochrome? In this month's Simply Cards and Papercraft, issue 101, I have a bold and beautiful, contemporary look article going on with the gorgeous Tiddly Inks Wryn range and BasicGrey papers.

You can see a sneak of it on the cover.

Isn't she cute? She is Tiddly Inks Wryn Grow A Little Love and great fun to colour.

Hope you like the article but I know you will like the freebie this month! It is a beautiful Prima Paper pack and Chipboard pieces - oh yeah, you read me right!

Before you hop off I just wanted to share some playing with stamps and oil pastels from my art journal.

There are lots of layers of gesso and stamping with stamps from Prima and Kaisercraft.

Plus colour from acrylic paint and the vivid luxury of yummy oil pastels to colour the Ranunculus Fields stamp from Stampendous.

You can't help but love that texture can you? I mean it gets everywhere but it is so sumptuous you have to forgive it!

Kim

Time For...

A couple of shout outs!

It is article time again but only a tiny one, I have a couple of cards in this month's Simply Cards and Papercrafts and get this, it is Simply Cards and Papercrafts 100th issue!

Happy Birthday Simply Cards and Papercrafts! (The '100' card in the circle is one of mine).

The second shout out is yet another bit of shameless self-promotion, I've got an interview on the Fiskarettes website if you are interested.

I've also got a project and tutorial on the Kuretake blog using ink and nib work on a mixed media project, which I will be posting here at some point, but if you can not wait for it to get here then pop on over to the Kuretake blog to see what I've made.

Zoom and I'm gone again, a very quick post from me, giving you plenty of time to do some more blog hopping, well time to check out my interview of course! (I am actually blushing with embarrassment as I write this!)

Have fun.

Kim