Stitched Border Tutorial

Hey Guys, How are you all today? I don't know if any of you remember this card from a few weeks back? I was asked how I did the border stitching on this card so I thought I would put a tutorial up about it. Hope it is useful!

I actually use two stitches to get the effect, the first is a loose buttonhole stitch (aka blanket stitch) and the second is a backstitch.

Materials
Thread, a piercing tool, needle and the card to border. Sticky tape will also be useful!



Step One
When I'm stitching on card or paper I pierce the holes with my paper piercing tool before stitching.

If you are a perfectionist you might want to mark off the holes with a ruler but I usually use judgement - I like the rough and ready look (least that is my excuse!).



Step Two
Stick your thread end on the back of the card with tape and bring the thread through to the front of the card.



Step Three
Take the thread from the front of the card to the back of the card and back up to the front of the card through the next hole along. Leave the stitch loose in a loop.



Step Four
Now take the thread to the back of the card through the loop just as if you are doing a Buttonhole stitch (Blanket stitch) but don't pull tight.



Step Five
Bring the thread to the front of the card through the next hole along leaving the loose loop.



Step Six
Repeat Step Three to Step Five to build up the border.



Step Seven
Depending on the size of your card and length of thread you might run out of thread before finishing the border - so what do you do to make sure it looks like continuous stitching?

Well, with the end of the thread make a loop in line with the next hole along and stick the end to the back of the card with tape. Then with new thread continue repeating Step Two to Step Five as before. Simple!



Step Eight
When you get to the last stitch make your last loop and connect up the border by taking the thread to the back of the card through the first loop



Step Nine
You can leave the stitch as it is - it is a good look or you can add a backstitch to give some extra definition.


Clicking on the photographs will give you a closer view of the stitching.

Feel free to link in the comments to any projects you make with this stitching - I would just love to see what you do with it!

Happy Stitching
Kim

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Advent Calender Card

Sunday has turned up really quickly and I have a little Whiff Of Joy card for you using the cute Lizzie with Licorice stamp with an advent calendar feel. The little Christmas tree charm is also from Whiff Of Joy.


She was coloured with Prismacolor pencils and Sansodor and I've used Label Nine Spellbinders Nestibilities.


Before you go don't forget that there is a chance at some yummy Whiff of Joy candy here.

Hope you are all having a lovely Sunday.
Kim

Materials:
Stamp - Whiff Of Joy Lizzie with Licorice
Ink - VersaFine Onyz black
Colouring - PrismaColor Pencils; Sansodor
Paper - Reminisce snowy night
Usual Suspects - Paper trimmer; double-sided tape; silicone glue
Other - Charm; Label Nine Nesties; Fibres; Inch square punch; Cuttlebug; Snowflake die; seam ripper

Oooo Look At These!

Hey-up everyone!

Just a quick blog post to show some of the new alterable shapes that Elaine has just added to Quixotic Paperie. There are lots of wonderful Christmas and all year round shapes and if you keep an eye on her blog you will see some fabby examples of some of the shapes in use :)





Aren't they cool? These are just a small selection of what is on offer, there are all different shapes and sizes and they start at only 20p!

I was just so excited that I had to show and tell, LOL! Will be back later with a card If I can get it done before the sun goes down that is! Fingers crossed :)

Need Something Bright!

Here it is a sunny card with the totally gorgeous Emma from the Elisabeth Bell range for Susan's Custom Art and Card Design (SCACD), which if you are wondering how to get your hands on, well they are at Quixotic Paperie as well as the totally cute Victoria Case Stamps from SCACD.

I've used the lovely DCWV Citrus stack papers which are on very special offer at Quixotic Paperie 50% OFF! OMG how can you miss that? Tee Hee! BTW - there are lots of other fabulous specials on Quixotic Paperie as well.

Also I've used a lovely bit of Crochet ribbon that I've painted with Shimmerz Paints Fire Engine Red.


And yep - a bit more Copic practice!


The sun has just this second come out here - Wahoo:) Must be the sunny card LOL!

Have a Gloriously sunny day
Kim

Materials:
Stamp - SCACD Elisabeth Bell Emma
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Colouring - Copic Markers
Papers - DCWV Citrus
Usual Suspects - Paper trimmer; Double-sided tape; Silicone glue
Other - Button; Crochet Ribbon; Shimmerz Paint Fire Engine Red

Santa Is Baking

What do you think Santa is baking? Mince pies? Cookies? Christmas Cake?

Isn't he just the cutest? He is one of the fabulous new Elizabeth Bell Santa's from Whiff of Joy. Just Lurve!


The papers are My Mind's Eye Laundry Line and I've been practicing again with my Copic markers - might get there one day. LOL!

Have a simply baking Tuesday
Kim

Materials:
Stamp - Whiff Of Joy Santa Baking
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Colouring - Copic Markers
Papers - My Mind's Eye Laundry Line
Usual Suspects - Paper trimmer; silicone glue; double sided tape
Other - Buttons; Sewing machine; Letraset paper

We Need Your Help...

Candy Now Closed

How would you like to make a New Baby card and be in with lots of chances to win some wonderful Whiff Of Joy candy donated by the lovely Katharina?

The fabulous Whiff Of Joy illustrator Alison Acton and her husband Jim are expecting their first baby, Sam, at the end of this week, it would be fabulous to celebrate the event with a lovely card, well lots of lovely cards!

So the challenge is -

• Make a New Baby Card for Alison and Jim
• Send me an email and I will send you their mailing address to send the card
• Don't forget to also post it on your blog before you send it!
• Then link to your blog via Mr Linky below to be in with a chance to win Two Whiff Of Joy stamps of your choice.

You do not have to use a Whiff Of Joy Stamp but it would be nice :) We are just hoping for lots of cards to arrive at Alison and Jim's.

So here is my New Baby make and I've used the so cute Mina Celebrating Kangaroo from Alison's Party Animals range. Might have changed it very slightly to fit the theme!


Again with some more Copic marker practice :)


Also if you check out the other DT and GDT blogs you will find more chances to win as well :) Katharina is giving away a whole set of the Alison's next Whiff of Joy release called "Happy Mail" on her blog!

Katharina (Owner)
Aija (Finland)
Bev (UK)
Camilla (Norway)
Fran (UK)
Jacqui (Events Coordinator)
Jeanette (CA)
Murielle (France)
Rach (UK)
Sonja (Germany)
PGD Dawn (UK)
GD Marga (Netherlands)
Gd Melyssa (Canada)
Gd Ula (Poland)

This candy will be open until the 23rd October to give you time to send your make.

Happy New Baby Card Making
Kim

Materials:
Stamp - Whiff Of Joy Mina Celebrating Kangaroo
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Colouring - Copic Markers
Paper - My own design
Usual Suspects - Silicone glue; paper trimmer; double-sided tape
Other - buttons; embroidery thread; Sizzix Alpha; Cuttlebug; Computer; printer; Nail file

Mo's First Challenge

Mo and her challenge design team have launched a new challenge blog called Bronte and Bella's Challenge blog and their first challenge is to use 'Perple' aka purple in your creation with one of Mo's illustrations.


So here you go a 'Perple' creation using one of the Dani and Friends images and a ribbon I made using eyelet stitch.


I've used my Copic markers to colour her in, I'm slowly getting the hang of them :)

Have a cosy Perple Sunday
Kim

Materials:
Stamp - Mo's Digital pencil
Colouring - Copic markers
Papers - GCD Studios
Usual Suspects - Paper trimmer; Silicone glue; Double-sided tape
Other - Fiskars border punch; Embroidery thread; needle; buttons; computer; printer

And We Have A Winner

Hey All, I've used Random.org to pick a winner and the the winner is........

Sharon from Shari-Anne Happy Crafter

Congratulations Sharon send me your mailing address, my email is in the sidebar.

Thank you everyone for joining in the World Card Making Day fun and Elaine's lovely candy.

Keep your eyes peeled because I will have some more candy soon.

World Card Making Day 2009 Blog Candy and Offers

**This Blog Candy is now closed**

Hi All, World Card Making Day 2009 has finally arrived and to celebrate the lovely Elaine from Quixotic Paperie has donated some yummy blog candy for the DT to give away!

But not only that she is offering 10% off ALL in stock items over at Quixotic Paperie for the World Card Making Day Weekend (3rd and 4th October 2009). This offer excludes pre-order items.

AND....DCWV stacks have now even more of a bargain at 50% off, and Paper Pretties stamps are now 35% off.

So what candy can you win from me? The yummy Paper Makeup Stamp Kirsten Fairy, some gorgeous assorted flat-backed pearls and same fabby charms and bead caps. Aren't they pretty?



So if you would like to be in with a chance to win:

• Announce the candy on your blog - either a post or in you candy sidebar
• Add a link to your post or blog on the Mister Linky Widget below.
• If you haven't got a blog then add your name with this post as the link.

Of course as you are here feel free to become a follower if you like what you see but it is not compulsory :)

Right, once you have done all that remember that there is more candy on offer at the other DT members' blogs Elaine, Carole, Judy and Rowena.

My Candy will be open until 12 noon BST (GMT+1h) 10th October 2009.

Have a Crafty World Card Making Day
Kim

A Bit Of Stitching

Midweek already, would you believe it?

I've not got a card for you today but I have a little bit of my amateur embroidery play :)

This piece takes some influence from the Sea and the eyelet stitching uses a technique from an article by Jean Draper in Oct/Nov Stitch Magazine.

Have a lovely rock pool sort of a day.
Kim

October Is Breast Cancer Care Awareness Month

So bring out the Pink Shimmerz paints! Make anything with your Pink Shimmerz this month, post it in the Shimmerz Paints Flickr group and you could win a pot of Shimmerz.

When you post it in Flickr let us know which Shimmerz you have used and tag it Pink! Each of the DT will be picking their favourite so there are lots of chances to win.

But whilst you are at it don't forget to post it on your blog to spread the word about Breast Cancer Care Awareness Month :)

I have a pink card for you today, it uses a bit of the My Mind's Eye Laundry Line paper, Prima Crystals and a touch of sewing.

I've used my Shimmerz Spritz to make the background paper and the flower.

I sprayed card with Bed of Roses and let it dry. I then sprayed a new sheet of card with Licorice Spritz and used a brayer wrapped in rubber bands to 'score' patterns in the Licorice covered card and transfer the Licorice colour in rough lines to the Bed of Roses covered card (you might have to click on the photo to see the full effect).


Then I cut out flower shapes from this card and distressed it to make a flower.

The brad in the middle is a large crystal gem brad that was a touch too bright so I dipped it into Shimmerz paints Coal and carefully wiped most of it off so that it just left a 'smoked' gem effect.


The cute Paper MakeUp Stamp Shaela Fairy was coloured with Copic markers and the wings painted with Shimmerz Paints Flashee Fushia Blingz and Angel Wings (also available from Quixotic Paperie).

I can't wait to see your Breast Cancer Care Awareness makes
Kim

Materials:
Stamp - Paper MakeUp Stamp Shaela Fairy
Colouring - Copic markers; Shimmerz Paints Flashee Fushia Blingz, Angels Wings (also available from Quixotic Paperie)
Paper - Own made; My Mind's Eye Laundry Line paper
Usual Supects - Paper trimmer; Double-sided tape
Other - Brayer; Rubber bands; Shimmerz Coal paint, Bed Of Roses and Licorice Spritz; crystal gem brad; Prima; Sewing machine; Cuttlebug; embossing folder

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Fireman Saves The Day

Ah Monday Morning! How are you all doing this morning? It is dark, grey and wet here in London and I'm wondering if the sun will come back :)

I've got a little card for a Nephew to show you today, the image is one of Mo's fabulous illustration (yep another one!) and I've coloured him in with prismacolor pencils. It is only a simple little card :)

I've loved hearing all your favourite Christmas Movies! Bought a big smile to my face hearing what you like to watch - Thank you. Polar Express is very popular - I've still not seen it! Perhaps I will get to see it this Christmas :)



BTW - have you seen that it is the New Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Release day and that Elaine has a fab special offer and a blog hop for these yummy new stamps on her blog? Also you can pre-order your new CC Designs stamps as well.

Have a Fab New Stamp Day
Kim

Materials:
Stamp - Mo's Digital Pencil
Colouring - PrismaColor; sansodor
Papers - Basic Grey
Usual Suspects - Paper Trimmer; Double-sided tape
Other - Brads; computer; printer; cuttlebug; embossing folder

Sunday Morning Round Up

Hey Guys, Thought I would give you a head's up for a few bits and pieces going on...



First of all it is the Whiff Of Joy Challenge Blog One Year Anniversary and the DT have a blog hop running with Candy along the way but don't leave it too long because some of the candy finishes today.

There is also a chance to win the Winter Stamp kit or a gift certificate for Simon Says Stamp with this week's challenge.



Next up is another chance to win one of two of the Winter Whiff Of Joy Stamp kits over at Katharina's blog.

My final head's up for today is to let you know that Chris over at Craftling's Cozy Corner is running a fundraiser for Papworth Trust and I'm sure she would be very grateful if you could drop by her blog to see how you can help :)

Alright my lovelies - have a wonderful Sunday
Kim

A Christmas Angel

You may have gathered that I was in a bit of a Christmassy mood after yesterday's post talking about decorating Christmas trees and family traditions? Here is a Christmas card to prove it!

It uses one of Mo's wonderful illustrations coloured with PrismaColor pencils. A little bit of paper distressing, pearl gems and some stitching to finish her off :)




I'm still interested to hear about your favourite Christmas movies.....Me so nosey!

Have an angelic Thursday
Kim

Materials:
Stamp - Mo's Digital Pencil
Colouring - Prismacolor pencil; sansodor
papers - 7 Gypsies; Reminisce snowy night
Usual Suspects - Paper trimmer; double-sided tape
Other - computer; printer; fibres; thread; crop-a-dile; eyelet; seam ripper; pearls

Whiff Of Joy Winter Stamp Kit

Me again - it is becoming a habit posting more than once in a day!

I just wanted to let you guys know that the Whiff Of Joy Winter Stamp Kit has gone on pre-order today and closes on the 23rd October.



Look at the sneak peak, now doesn't that just make you think of open log fires, mince pies in the oven, your favourite Christmas movie on the telly whilst decorating the Christmas tree?



I can't choose which is my all time fav Christmas movie it would have to be either the 1947 version of Miracle on 42nd Street, or the 1947 version of the Bishop's Wife, or the 1946 version of It's A Wonderful Life. These would be the films my Mum and I would watch whilst decorating the Christmas Tree in our house :)

What are your favourite Christmas Movies?

Wouldn't You Just Love To Win One Of These?

I know I would :)

Jak over at Crafter's Kitchen has a Silhouette SD on offer as blog candy, open to UK residents only I'm afraid, closes 29th October.



The World Tour of Card Blogs run by Moxie Fab World is still running. There are prizes to be won each day!