Sunday Round-Up

Eh? Sunday? Nope I've not confused my days! It is Wednesday! But I am just dropping by with the kind of post that I would usually put up on a Sunday! Namely I have a couple of articles in magazines for your entertainment in those quiet moments between seasonal holiday preparations. Erm?

Ok so there are no quiet times and you might have to lock yourself away in the shed (hopefully heated) with a cuppa just to put your feet up at the moment! LOL!

First up is my recent colouring article in Papercraft Essentials Issue 75.

It uses stamps from La-La Land Crafts and Creative Expressions.

Next a 10 Cards for £10 challenge article in Simply Cards and Papercraft Issue 92.

It was an interesting challenge, have you tried doing 10 cards for £10? It really made me think about my materials, you were allowed glue and scissors and things like that but you had to include the base cards and embellishments in the £10. If you do have a go at the challenge I would love to know how you get on so drop me a comment / email / link!

Right I'll be off now, but before I go a last reminder for anyone looking for PanPastels - Your Creativity Store still has an offer on all their PanPastel and Sofft Tools with FREE P&P
as well!

Enjoy your Sunday Wednesday!

Kim

Sunday Round-Up - A Post For My Mum

Have you noticed how my posts here on the blog have been getting later and later? Ok so my first New Year resolution for 2012 will be to get back into the rhythm of scheduling my blog posts for first thing in the morning!

Well, I say New Year resolution but I don't really do that resolution thing - just too much pressure for a New Year I think. I try to pace my self-improvement steadily throughout the year - it is a slow, ongoing project with many pitfalls - LOL!

This isn't really a round-up post as I have no links to share with you today, I've not really had a chance to do much blog hopping and I feel that I am missing out on all the fabulous things that happen in the blogosphere - I feel 'resolution' number two coming up - and hopefully I can get more blog hopping done and sharing of links in the New Year.

No this is really a post for my Mum. My Mum is an amazing knitter, only one of her substantial creative skill sets by the way. I thought she might enjoy seeing the jumper I knitted for David a while back being put to good use and that you might get a giggle out of it too of course!

Ok so I might have got the size slightly wrong but I am trying (very trying as David might say!). And it comes in handy as it can get cold in the flat!

Have a fun Sunday!

Kim

Sunday Round-Up - Dear Diary

David and I haven't had any time off for good behaviour in a while so yesterday we treated ourselves to a blowout day in our home town of fun, funky London for a bit of relaxation and to recharge the creative batteries.

We tried to fit in as much as we possibly could starting with some performance art at the Wellcome Collection in Euston. I am a HUGE performance and instillation art fan, love it and this piece from Sheila Ghelani called Covet Me, Care For Me was an audience participation piece.

(Photo Copyright Sheila Ghelani via the Wellcome Collection website)

With 50 'mongrel' objects encased in sealed glass hearts, you pick a heart and then sign a receipt. You then dress in safety mask, apron and gloves and kneel before a cutting mat with your chosen heart and a hammer and break the glass to retrieve the item. Sheila then helps you to remove the safety clothes, which is all part of the performance, and hands you the object to take behind a screen where it is cleaned and wrapped with care by another performer at a desk with a draw and an old-fashioned standing lamp.

The idea is that you are encouraged to think about love, the passing of time, dissemination and cross-fertilization, and for me I felt like I was part of art and had participated in something very special and I was very grateful to be able to join in.

I'm going to look after my 'mongrel' item and wear it over my heart from time to time!

As we were in the Wellcome Collection we took some time to look around the exhibitions and, both being reformed scientists, it was nice to dip a toe into the history of science and I would recommend it for all, not just scientists! Their tag line is 'a free destination for the incurably curious' and I can definitely hold my hand up to being 'incurably curious'!

The Euston/King's Cross area is home to one of our favourite restaurants -  Red N Hot - a yummy Szechaun restaurant on 37 Chalton Street, NW1 1JD. It was Snazz Szechaun but has recently been bought by the Red N Hot group but the food is still gorgeous.

After filling up on dumplings and 'Hot Numbing Beef', we set off again, jumping on a bus towards Blackfriars and cutting through the inner sanctum of Temple to get to 2 Temple Place, which had an exhibition of work from a collaboration between William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones, which I didn't know was going on. We were curious about the house, so it was a total bonus to see such amazing work including embroidered panels that had taken 8 years to complete.

By now it was starting to get dark and we decided to walk up to Charing Cross Road to check out the second-hand book shops and stop for a cuppa. We cut through Somerset House where they have one of the Christmas Ice Skating rings set up and I took the opportunity to get snap-happy and take action photos of skaters, well until we get told that unless we have friends and family on the ice, we aren't allowed to take photos - erm? Why?

And we popped past Covent Garden...

Ooo Sparkly - makes quite a Christmas card picture, doesn't it?

Our last port of call was a small production in a theatre above a pub. So we hightailed it up to Camden High Street for the Etcetera Theatre above The Oxford Arms to see Stand-Up Comics by Michael Eckett and the Sigil Club production company. A very enjoyable comedy set in a comic book shop and with lots of comic book references whilst we look at the relationship and development of the main characters.

After a drink in The Oxford Arms we set off home... I think we managed to make up for a lot of missed relaxing in our one day!

And before I go, just thought I would say a BIG thank you to those folks who have seen my recent article in Simply Cards and Papercraft Issue 91 about the freestyle / free-motion sewing and have been dropping me such lovely messages about it!

You guys are the best! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Oh and I've been playing about with making my own photograph masks, as seen on my photos above, what do you think?

Right I'm off, hope you all are having lovely weekends. 

Kim

Sunday Round-Ups around the blogs - Update: Check out Debbi for her Sunday Round-Up.

Sunday Round-Up

Hello Sunday Round-Uppers, how has this week treated you all? I've had one of those weeks where my mojo went on a little holiday and didn't bother to take me with it. Hopefully it is back and refreshed and ready to go for the new week!

How do you fancy a peek at a Work In Progress, WIP? One of the things that I've been wanting to try out for a long old time was making my own digital background papers but there is always other things to be doing isn't there? Well the recent playing with My Memories Suite has rekindled my desire to make background papers and digital art.

Here is one of the sheets I made in Photoshop Elements - I've called it Blue Lagoon.

I'm not sure how keen you guys are on digital art and crafting as I have a downloadable copy of My Memory Suite up for grabs as Blog Candy, but there does seem to be a lack of interest in it. Hey Ho, more chance for those who have signed up for it!

Talking about digital, David and I were up at Ally Pally (Alexandra Palace in North London) yesterday - no not for a craft show - yeah like I could persuade David to go to a craft show! It was for a celebration of 75 Years of TV at the old BBC Tower - you know that big metal thing that dominates the sky - don't tell me you miss it because you are too busy rushing round to the Palm Court entrance to get lots of lovely craft goodies?

It was a cute little insight into how Television started, check out this Radio Times exert from January 8th 1937, 'People you see; The Television Announcers' Interviewed by Guy Fletcher:

Oh My! I'm jolly glad times have changed (she says in her best BBC accent). I think I might punch anyone trying to call me 'Decorative'! 

Well that is me this week, but before I go just wanted to let you know that I have a Christmas article using the lovely Marianne D Creatables Christmas Dies in the current issue of Papercraft Essentials (Issue 74).

I used the yummy Bo Bunny Gabrielle papers which aren't Christmas themed at all and I made them all Christmassy! So you don't have to have Christmas papers for your Christmas makes.

Bit of a warning though, I'm used to the fact that colours might not translate from computer to printed page but even the Bo Bunny website shows the Gabrielle papers as ice blue and coral. How shocked was I when they turned up and were actually very green teal and not ice blue at all. Bit of a disappointment when I got my hands on them, I had picked them specifically for the ice blue and coral colour combo so was somewhat dismayed when I got them!

Hey ho! It still worked out beautifully thanks to the lovely Lee Jepson, Editor of PE, who was very accommodating!

Oh and one last thing! Don't forget Sarah's November My Mojo Monday with the lovely Jo Capper-Sandon this month and the fab challenge and giveaway. 

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

Kim

Sunday Round-Up

Hello Sunday Blog Hoppers, it's that time again and this week I have some Halloween project links to share with you all.

First off have you seen this fabulous Gory Brains Cap project? Not for the faint hearted LOL! But great for a bit of scary trick or treating!

Next up is some fabulous art. Some of you will know that I'm bit of a fan of sardine tin altering and I spotted this wonderful Halloween altered tin from Shelly Hickox recently.

Then we have some really cute Coffin Critters from Spooky Pooky Creations, spotted via Needlework Craft Gossip. They are so cute, I love Dracula!

Finally some more Halloween fun from Future Girl with these really fabulous Fanged Pumpkins! LOL!

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Before you go, I think my Sunday Round-Up news posts might be catching on! Check out Lou Mac for her Sunday Round-Up and Simonne for her Sunday Round-Up. If you have a Sunday News Round-Up blog post let me know and I will link to it here!

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Have a great Sunday Hopping.

Kim

Sunday Round-Up

How are we all doing, Sunday Blog Hoppers? 

I've got something today that will get your crafty fingers tingling!

It's the Make With Me initiative from Mencap, the charity supporting people with learning disabilities and their families and carers. They also have a Bake With Me initiative for all you bakers out there - mmmmm - cake...

Well as Halloween is fast approaching, the Make With Me and Bake With Me guys have some great free projects to share such as some scarily yummy Edible Bones from the bespoke East London Baker Lily Vanilli and some fabulously freaky stitching from the Sublime Stitching stitcher herself, Jenny Hart.

There is lots of information on how to get involved on the Make With Me website, such as holding crafting parties to raise money or donating some of your own projects to inspire others. Also check their Facebook and Twitter pages too.

So my crafty cogs are turning, thinking what I can do to get involved, perfect for us crafty bloggers don't you think? What do you reckon? What can we as CRAFTY BLOGGERS do...? LOL! Spread the news? Hold a craft event? Donate some projects? Donate some cash?

Enjoy your Sunday.

Kim

Sunday Round-Up

Oh Sunday, lovely Autumnal Sunday. I have to admit to a little bit of plot losing this week. It hasn't been one of the happiest weeks ever but it is a roast chicken dinner Sunday and that can make up for a lot of heartache in my book. 

The way to a girl's heart is through her stomach - well this girl's heart anyway!

I feel like it might be time to snuggle down and do some designing today, and see if I can persuade David to bring the Winter rug down from the loft - he says it isn't Winter yet so it can't come down. Boo!

As you were all so keen on the M6 Picture on Thursday here is another for your enjoyment...

Can you tell I was having fun with the shutter speed on my camera? Oh hours, and hours, and hours of fun!

Thanks Claire, Silvia, and Toni for your lovely comments about the M6, you made me smile! Gabrielle suggested that it should become a regular feature - perhaps 'Road Of The Week'. What do you think? Anyone got any road pictures you want to share? Could become the new craft blog phenomenon!

Well, I'll let you think about that, but whilst you do I have a couple of links to share today. First up have you checked out this month's My Mojo Monthly inspiration and guest from Sarah's blog La-De-Dah yet? You will be very happy you did - it's the very inspirational Tammy Tutterow this month.

I've been doing some catching up with my blog hopping. I have actually got something from July that I missed the first time round but I'm so glad I spotted it, better late than never! It is this wonderful Journal page from Juls over at The Glitter Chick. Gorgeous!

Anyone looking for some fabulous flower tutorials? Lee over at A Wee Bit Of Craftyloops makes and shares how to make beautiful flowers and she has some blog candy on offer too.

Next up might interest you folks into your image colouring. I recently spotted this video on Youtube for Colour rending of skin tones using Copics for fashion illustration that I thought was really interesting and gives a different way of using your alcohol markers to the one we all use in our crafty colouring. Always good to take inspiration from different areas don't you think? There are some colour rending videos for clothes too worth checking out. Ok so they are bigger images than we all use but still lots of interesting colouring tips that could be adapted!

Right, last link this week - for all you The Octopode Factory fans, have you spotted that Lily is looking for some new DT members? Go check it out on her blog. 

Hope you all have a lovely Snuggly Sunday.

Kim

Sunday Round-Up

Watcha Crafty, Arty Girls and Boys, how are you all doing today? Up to anything creative or maybe you are planning some out and about time with loved ones?

It's a full day of work for me today, such is the life of a freelancer, but least I enjoy what I do! 

I did have a lovely day out in the amazing 28^oC, blue sky and sunshine October 1st day yesterday. For those of you not from the UK that is VERY unusual weather for this time of the year. In fact I think it must have broken a record. It's the best weather we have had all year so far!

I wasn't the only one bemused by this heatwave! One of the folks we bumped into on our trip around Hampstead Heath - a South American Rhea, watching the world go by in
Golders Hill Park.

I got a bit snap-happy with my camera and took 245 photos - oops. Thank goodness for
digital cameras.

I only have a couple of links today and they are shameless self-promotions - Sorry!

The first is just to say keep your eye out for the latest issue of Papercraft Essentials (PE73) for a little fun article from me.

Next Buffy from Kuretake is interviewing all the DT (plus others!) on the Kuretake blog and it's been my turn this week if you are interested!

Before I go, what do you think about Blogger's new Dynamic views for blogs? I was thinking of having a play a little later see how it looks on my blog. Any of you trying one of the new formats already? How is it working for you?

Right, suppose I should go do some work. 

Enjoy your day.

Kimx

Sunday Round-Up

It has been a while since my last Sunday Round-Up but I've been collecting links over the last couple of weeks, I just haven't got around to blogging them until today.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to comment or get in touch with me about yesterday's spooky post and I'm so glad I could bring a smile to your faces and perhaps slightly gross you out with the brown snot - tee hee! I grossed myself out too!

Anyone make it to Ally Pally yesterday (or going today?) for the BSSBS? I popped in and managed to meet up with some crafty pals Anika from Anikraft and a couple of my Kuretake Teamies Sarah Hurley and Emma Williams. It is always nice catching up with other crafty folks isn't it? Which crafty mates have you managed to catch up with recently?

Might have bought a couple of crafty things whilst I was there, well rude not too, oddily not loads, but that was probably a good thing. Did find some fabulous Sari ribbon that I've wanted to get my hands on for a bit but thought I might have to order it from one of the Textile shops I frequent!

Ahhh, what to do first with this yummy colour? It is too pretty to touch - Blast! Knew I should have bought two of them!

A little bit of news and a big bit of a thank you to the lovely Janine. Janine has been really kind and linked up my Poppy Tag from sweet wrappers tutorial on the wonderful Deze Is Ook Leuk (This Is Fun!) - Thank You Janine and welcome new Followers and RSS folk who popped on over from the link up!

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Onto the links!

Got some 'have you seen this?' links you might be interested in checking out if you haven't
seen already:

I loved this post from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer about rejection from DT calls, magazine submissions all that kind of thing, we have all been there!

Another one from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a little interview with Alisa Burke and I just love Alisa's Daily routine! I need to get my day balanced out a bit better - sheesh!

For you alcohol pen colourers out there Marianne Walker has a fabulous Copic tutorial for colouring with limited colours and grey.

Another one of my favourite blogs belongs to Tammy Tutterow, if you haven't checked her out you really must. I loved her recent tutorial for making seam binding flowers and they so look like silk ribbon embroidery to me.

Are you linked out? Can you handle a couple more?

Two shout outs the first for this great hole punching to make shapes tutorial from Joanne Wardle and then I just love this bit of stamping on wooden sticks from Faye.

Right I'm off. I shall leave you with this link to a piccy of Godzilla cleaning up after a rampage! If I had the money and the space I would SO buy that!

Have a fun Sunday

Kim

Sunday Round-Up

It is Sunday Round-Up time and that seems particularly approriate this week as I am watching Toy Story 2 with Woody's Round-Up as I write this post!

Well to Round-Up this week I have a little card in Papercraft Essentials Issue 72 to 'toot' about but you might be extra excited about this issue - not 'coz of my card but because of the super cute Humphrey's Corner cover stamp set - so cute you won't want to miss it!

I also wanted to give you all a couple of heads-up for the week ahead, things you might be interested in checking out. 

First off have you checked out the Kuretake Design Team call?

Second is the new My Mojo Monthly Muse and inspiration from Sarah is up and ready for you to play with! Have fun!

Last but not least don't forget the Art From The Heart Blog Hops!

Catch you later and have a super Sunday.

Kim

Sunday Round-Up

It has been a busy old crafty week this week, I've been pretty busy with cards for Creative Expressions and just as they finish I'll be doing some makes for Kuretake playing with their Alcohol inks and punches, not necessarily together! Then we have some fun coming up to celebrate La-La Land Crafts Birthday this month which you won't want to miss!

So another busy and creative week ahead! I'm hoping to fit in some personal makes as well this week, something a little different perhaps? I like to throw something different in the mix from time to time.

This Sunday I don't have any links to share with you I'm afraid but I do have a couple of Magazine articles to mention.

First up is a colourful two card article in Papercraft Essentials issue 71 using peel-offs as masks to make backgrounds.

The next article is me in my element tearing up cardboard and re-purposing book pages, maps, buttons and safety pins for Simply Cards and Papercraft Issue 88 and using stamps from Make The Day Special. 

And look I'm on the cover - Yay!

It's been a lucky month for me as I have three articles in three different Magazines - Papercraft Essentials, Simply Cards and Papercraft and Craft Stamper - I think that might be a first (and probably a last!) for me. Perhaps I should buy a lottery ticket!

Oh and I lied! I do have a link for you and this one was spotted by my ever patient boyfriend David. Check out these nails you Superhero fans!

Kim

Sunday Round-Up

A happy creative Sunday to you all! Yep, it is Sunday, it really does scoot around quickly, but then that is what happens when you loose track of time playing crafting!

I thought I would drop by this Sunday to share a couple of blog hop finds, the first being for the blog of Britt Kvilhaug - Life, Paper, Scissors. She has many gorgeous papercraft and scrapping makes to check out, I particularly love her 'Un-Art Journal' covers using Thickers very cool!

Next, you guys into your colouring of images have you been seeing the fab work of colouring 'without' lines? There are some fabulous examples from Zoe on the Make It Crafty Blog.  Or check out this lovely from  Melanie over at Paper Blessings. They just look so great, got a very illustrator/ artist look to them. Love them.

I'm a bit scared of trying this, don't think my colouring is strong enough but I'm going to give it a whirl LOL! I'll let you know how I get on and I would love to see your 'without lines' colouring so leave me a link to your make in the comments and I'm come on over.

Whilst I'm here I just thought I would also let you know that I have an article in the current issue of Craft Stamper on page 78.

I know some of you have seen it already and thank you so much for the congratulations messages you have been sending to me! You are so very lovely!

Ok, so I'm off now, but I'll leave you with one last link and this time it is for you nail varnish nutters (like me at the mo!). Need something to do with all that glitter you have been collecting in your stash? One beauty DIY tip coming up!

Big crafty hugs to you all, looking forward to seeing your 'without lines' colouring, don't forget to link up!

Kimx

Sunday Round-Up

Ok so here we are, it's Sunday morning, I'm sat with a HUGE cup of tea in my left hand and typing badly with my right hand, I'm watching The Avengers: Earth's Mightest Heroes and I've just had breakfast of a Matzo with Marmite - Perfect Sunday Morning!

It has been a fabulously busy week I've been meeting up with crafty bloggy friends and meeting new crafty folks at various crafty events/ meetings. I've come to the conclusion that crafting events are like buses, you know, you wait around for ages and then four come along at the
same time.

I've also managed to sneak in a bit of making and I have some slightly different blog posts coming up that I hope you will enjoy!

So one of the bloggy folk I managed to meet this week was the lovely and talented Anika from Anikraft. She was holding her first market stall yesterday (some of you might have seen it mentioned it in my Friday post) and I wanted to go say 'Hi' as we hadn't met in real life yet and show some support 'coz us maker/ arty/ crafty folk should stick together!

Anika makes absolutely gorgeous things, I've always loved her work and they look even more fabulous in real life! I'll let you know when she does her next market stall but you can always go follower her to find out first hand and of course see her Folksy shop :)

And no, she hasn't got me on commission LOL!

I'm still trying to get my act together and gather up my courage to do a market stall! Maybe
one day.

I had some fabulous and surprising news on Friday morning, Irina (the owner of La-La Land Crafts) spotted this:

Yep, it is my recent article for Papercraft Essentials UK on the cover of the sister magazine published in Australia! Wahoo! I used lots of La-La Land Crafts stamps for an article on using different colouring mediums such as Prismacolor pencils, Copic markers, Kuretake ZIG Art and Graphic Twin pens. 

I was well chuffed (translation: very pleased indeed) as I've not made the main cover piccy on the UK Papercraft Essentials yet LOL!

Ok so tea is drunk, Matzo is eaten, cartoons are watched and blog post is finished, better go do some work then!

Enjoy your Sunday.

Big Painty Kisses

Kimx

Sunday Round-Up

Hello Folks, it is Sunday and me and my other half are midway through our themed Harry Potter weekend (apologies to those not into the HP phenomenon). We've watched the first four films yesterday. Today we have Order of the Phoenix through to Deathly Hallows part I to watch. Tissue box at the ready!

To add a little light into the proceedings I have some blog suggestions for anyone in the mood to blog hop today.

First up is a new directory called Artsee Bloggers for all us arty blogger types. Geri is the founder and curator of this fabulous directory and you will find a number of different categories to sign up to and blog hop at your leisure!

Got a couple of blog shout outs as well - in January/February I had an article in Issue 64 of Papercraft Essentials with some makes using heart paper punches. Well I'm honoured that a couple of folks have CASE'd these cards Mims from If I Can Do It and Shelley from Shelley's Boring Life. Love what you did with the designs girls!

Ok and now for something completely different...

As some of you know I'm a bit of a mix and match kinda gal and love all sorts of craftyness not just card making and papercrafts, so I have a habit of visiting all different kinds of blogs and websites - much like yourselves I'm sure.

Well I've been following the Vintaj company blog for a while now and I'm always impressed by the fabulous tutorials they put up and the gorgeous makes the DT do. Any of you who have yet to discover this blog and like your metal and bead jewellery you should really pop on over. They have this great image transfer tutorial up at the moment, well worth a look-see. (I've been hoping that ICE resin would be more available over here in the UK for like forever! Still waiting unfortunately!)

Another fabulous blog that I like to check in on is Donna Downey. Every Wednesday Donna has a Inspiration Wednesday post where she has a video of a make and the process she went through. Love seeing the art develop! I'm sure many of you have come across Donna Downey's stuff in some way or other but if you haven't and you like your art journals and painty stuff then you will love it!

Ok so my last link today is the website of a stitch artist Amanda McCavour. Amanda uses stitch on dissolvable fabric to create images and her art is fabulous. I'm a big fan of dissolvable fabric and stitch and when I recently stumbled across Amanda's work I loved it immediately! Go check out Amanda's Gallery to see what I'm going on about! LOL!

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Right I shall leave you guys to it. Hope you liked the two flower inspiration piccies above, a couple of digital art makes from me :)

Have a fun day.

Kimx