Tea's Up! Bring The Biccies

I drink a lot of tea, love the stuff so I usually have one or two of these around the flat:

What to do with all that lovely cardboard? What to do? What to do? Oh I know! Make jewellery!

Of course and it fits so perfectly with The Altered Element's theme this month which is:

Recycle

I've made a little bezel pendant from my tea box and re-purposed a safety pin as well for extra recycling-ness!

If you look closely at the pedant you might be able to spot some embossing and I've used Acrylic paint to give it a metallic look and extra texture with a lighter colour smoothed into the embossing. I added a layer of glossy accents in the centre and a touch of Tim Holtz Ranger Rock Candy crackle paint on the raised edges.

The chess and bingo pieces are from the Creative Expressions Vintage games stamp kit and have been coloured with Tim Holtz Range distress inks. 

The safety pin has been distressed and then sealed with Mod Podge. By the way you can get lovely brass chains and bits and pieces from the Vintaj Natural Brass Co. section at The Altered Element if you haven't found it already.

Oh and I would like to thank my model Mini Manikin! 

Enjoy your day. Catch you later.

Kimx

Heart Warming Mondays

Today is my first official day as a La-La Land Crafts DT member and I have my first make for the La-La Lands
Crafts blog. 

I thought I would go for a heart warmer today, seeing as it is turning cold here in London, UK. I've used the super cute Ice Skating Marci and matched her with the gorgeously fiery Basic Grey Ambrosia to keep us all warm!

What do you think? Isn't she just a sweetheart?

Hope you are having a heart warming day.

Thanks for popping in.

Kim

Really Sad Bit Of News

It breaks my heart to have to tell you guys this but Lynne has had to make the tough decision to close The Altered Element due to personal reasons. She explains more in her post on The Altered Element blog. The doors will close at the beginning of the New Year. But meanwhile you can still get lots of beautiful things and more things are being added to the reduced section.

It has been a real pleasure DTing for The Altered Element, I've loved being part the the TAE team! I wish Lynne and her family the very best for the future.

You all take care of yourselves.

Kim

Digital Art Autumn Fire

We have had some amazing sunny days this week, the Autumn colours have just been stunning so I've been out and about with my camera snap, snap, snapping. 

With all the colour and texture I could not help myself but to do some digital art. It has been awhile since I have had a play, being so busy with commissions and DT work but I loved this picture so much that I just had to add my own unique digital expression to it. 

I've named it 'Autumn Fire' as I thought that the splashes of hot colours from the leaves looked like tongues of flames lapping at the wood.

Enjoy your weekend, especially those having fun at the NEC :)

Kimx

Moving Home Notelets

Today I have for you some notelets using the gorgeous houses from the Unity {Ippity} What Matters Most kit. I've done some different combinations of houses and colouring to make up a little set of moving home notelets or new home if you prefer LOL!

You might also like to know that Emily has a new sale section on at Make The Day Special ;)

They are up in my Etsy and Folksy shops along with some other cute notelets I've been busy with.

Have a crafty Friday.

Kim

It's Cute Card Thursday

Hey Guys, it is Thursday so that means...it is Cute Card Thursday! This week the challenge is:

Gently Does it!

Using vellum/parchment/tissue etc. on your make. This week the sponsors are the fab Meljen's Designs from Whimsy Stamps.

You guys are just so lovely! Thank you so much for the lovely messages you sent about my new La-La Land DT role. I gave you a little sneaky peek of my DT make yesterday with the lovely Santa Marci from La-La Land Crafts, well here is the rest of it.

I've used greaseproof paper (baking paper) for my vellum/parchment/tissue. What do you think? You will be raiding your kitchens soon too! Nothing is safe from the Crafting Monster LOL!

I've added some puff paint and glitter glue to Marci's outfit. She is very sweet, making me feel quite Christmassy!

The paper is from the Echo Park Merry Christmas Collection available over at Quixotic Paperie and if you pop over there today Elaine has a special birthday offer of 10% off storewide (excluding preorder items and already discounted items) until midnight on Sunday! 

But that isn't all! Elaine is also celebrating her birthday with some blog candy on her blog and on the Quixotic Paperie Store blog! Happy Birthday Elaine!

Oh my goodness, lots for you to check out today!

Have fun!

Kimx

New DT News!

I'm so excited! Got a new blog badge! The lovely Irina, owner of La-La Land Crafts, asked me if I would like to join her fabulous DT and I went - Yes Please! LOL!

So shall I give you a sneak peek of my first DT make?

Oh go on then!

Tee Hee - you can see the rest of this tomorrow! 

I officially start on Monday but, well, thought I would burst if I had to wait 'til Monday to let you know :)

Have a good rest of Wednesday!

Kimx

Mid-Week Beauties

Mid-week and I have a confession, I still haven't got any makes that I can show you today. I'm working on a commission and starting to panic about Christmas cards, so all the normal stuff really. 

Well you know I don't like you to go away empty handed so I have some more products peeks to show you, this time they are some of the new stamps available over at Make The Day Special. Have a look at these The Cat Pajamas cuties: 

I know, I am mean putting temptation in front of you :)

Proper make tomorrow - promise!

Have fun.

Kimx

All Change at Crafty Makes

A late drop-by post from me today. I've been doing lots of sorting out things today and one of the things I have wanted to sort out for a while was a new blog banner and signature for Crafty Makes.

Whilst I am here I will give you some heads-ups in case you are in a shopping mood :)

 Quixotic Paperie has lots of lovely new stock including the gorgeous new Webster Pages paper packs:

and the very cute new stamps from The Greeting farm:

Thanks for popping in and hope you have a nice shopping day :)

Kimx

Monday Is Photo Share Day!

Happy Monday to you all, I have no makes to show you today so I thought I would put up one of my photographs from a trip to China some years ago. I kinda love this photo as it has a lot of atmosphere and is just a wonderful insight into the daily life of another culture. I love exploring different cultures and the way we Humans are all basically the same.

Mondays are my favourite day of the week, which is a large improvement to when I was doing the 9-5 and Monday was my worst day of the week! Now Mondays are full of the promise of new opportunities and the start of a week of possibilities. 

This particular Monday has not started at it's best as I have a touch of a migraine trying to take over my day but I won't let it as I have so much I need to do this week :)

Right I shall let you get on and I hope that you have a wonderful day full of opportunities.

Oh and if you have any Photos to share today I would love to see them - just leave a comment

 and I will come and have a nose :)

Kimx

Ghost In The Machine

Do you scare easily? 


If so then look away now! If not than I have a ghost to show you for the Eve of All Hallows. A perfect pendant for all things spooky she is the Ghost In The Machine. 


Can you see her? Can you?

Look more closely, if you dare!

I've captured a real ghost for your enjoyment on Halloween.

Mwahhh ha ha ha!

(Scaring myself again now!)

Have a sweet filled day!

Kimx

The Altered Element Magic Circle

Hi folks, I have my last DT make for this Month's Enchanted Challenge over at The Altered Element blog. I have a loose interpretation of the challenge for you! Bear with me :) Ok so if you think Enchanted and think of a magical interpretation, then side step to Magic as a subject and slight of hand tricks then you have the inspiration for my make today - which I have called 'Magic Circle' LOL! Ok so it is a little loosely based on 'Enchanted' - I did warn you!

I've used stamps from two of the Creative Expressions stamp sets: Vintage Games and Vintage Aviation. I've also been heavy with the old Rangers Tim Holtz Distress inks for this one!

Ooo and some exciting news - I was picked as a Ginger Gem over at Gingersnap Creations for my Neutrals Plus One challenge entry! Thanks Guys you made my day!

Have a wonderfully magical Saturday!

Kim

SCACD New Artist Blog Hop

A BIG Welcome to the release day of stamps from the NEW artist over at Susana's Custom Art and Card Design!

Carmen Medlin - The Reflections Release

We Quixotic Paperie girls are sooo excited to be joining in with SCACD to celebrate this wonderful new artist that has joined the SCACD talented group of stamp designers! Of course you will be able to get your hands on these gorgeous new stamps from Quixotic Paperie!

So for the blog hopping fun you need to start over at Suzanne's blog Scrap Bitz. If you are hopping away already then you should have arrived at my blog from the lovely Chris Olsen.

For my make I've have used the lovely PrrrrFect Friends. 

I've also used Prima So Cute and Prima Flower Sequin Centres.

So as you might have guessed if you are in the UK/EU you can get these lovely new stamps from Quixotic Paperie. If you are in the USA then pop along to Susana's Custom Art and Card Design and for those of you in Canada you can get yours from Art Du Scrapbooking.

WIN, WIN, WIN!

We have some extra hopping fun for you! Susana and Elaine have been ever so lovely and are offering a 20% off voucher (not including p&p) from their respective shops SCACD and Quixotic Paperie to a randomly picked commenter and so is Susana's friend Denise at Storage Units, Ink And More. There are FIVE vouchers up for grabs (one from QP, three from SCACD and one from SU Ink & More) so don't forget to leave a comment on all of the blogs in the hop! 

Your next Hop Stop is the fab Alex Pearl Princess.

Happy hopping!

How Did We Get To Thursday Already?

A make! A real fresh off the desk make today! 

It has been one of those weeks where I haven't had a chance to get my fingers dirty, besides the fact that I could not sit at my desk as my chair was full of stuff, I've just been busy with other things. What things? I have no idea! But things that kept me from working! 

Well to be honest it was work really just not getting my fingers dirty kinda work. Monday was a sorting, planning and doing DT work day, Tuesday was a research and getting ready for a workshop I was running in the evening, Wednesday was a bit of a rest day (Oops!) with some planning and designing thrown in. 

So today? Today is a MAKE day - yahoo! 

My make today is inspired by the Cute Card Thursday challenge this week which is:

So Transparent!

Oh isn't he a cutie? Well I think he is cute! LOL! He is from the My Cute Stamp Eeek! It's A Monster set available over at Make The Day Special.

The sponsor this week is The Stamp Shoppie

Right I better go make some stuff before you start thinking that I've stopped or something! 

Lots of Monster thanks for dropping by today.

Kimx

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday

It's What's On Your Work desk Wednesday! I've managed to clear the floor up this week, so I can get to my desk - but this week I can't find my chair under all the mess! LOL! So for me it is What's On Your Work Chair Wednesday :)

Oh Bless!

Before I pop off to try and get some work done...Don't forget the yummy Blog Candy over at the Quixotic Paperie Store blog.

Byeeeeeee....

Crackle On!

Hi Guys, we have had some questions about how I did the crackle on the frame for my recent Enchanted Seamstress make. So we thought it would be a good idea to put a quick 'How To' post together for you all.

This is such a wonderful and really easy technique. I first came across it some time ago from a Youtube video but more recently Craft Stamper did an article about the technique too.

For the technique you will need:

Acrylic paints

PVA glue (yes I have a HUGE bottle of PVA glue!)

Brush 

A palette for the paint and PVA

The item to be altered

Step One

Paint your item to be altered with the first coat of acrylic paint. Pick which colour you want to come through the crackle, dark colours are perfect but you can do all sorts of colour combinations so don't be afraid of trying different colours. You can always have a play on a spare piece of paper to see the end effect before using your item to be altered.

Important bit - let the first layer dry completely.

Step Two

Once the first layer is dry start covering it with your PVA. Don't dilute the PVA, a nice consistency of soft, fluid caramel is about right. Cover the whole area and don't feel that the layer has to be thick, but don't make it so thin that it drys before you can get the next layer on.

Important bit - Don't let this layer dry

Step Two

As soon as you have covered the item with the PVA start covering it with your acrylic paints, again don't thin the paint. I don't even change brushes, as you can see my palette has room for both the paint and the PVA. I like a smooth layer so keep the brush nicely loaded with paint, again it isn't a thick layer but not too thin otherwise the effect will be a bit 'lumpy'.

Important bit - leave it to dry. 

You can use your heat gun but I like to just leave mine overnight.

The PVA and Paint dry and you get contraction and this is what makes the crackle, you can actually see the crackle develop nicely as the item drys.

We would love to see any makes where you have used this technique just come back and leave a comment so we can have a nose!

Have fun!

Kimx

Pin It

Altered Element Quick 'How To'

Do you remember this recent make I did for The Altered Element called Enchanted Seamstress? Well we got some questions asking how I got the crackle effect on the frame so we thought it would be helpful to put a quick 'How To' post and you can find it on The Altered Element blog if you are interested.

Don't forget to check out this month's challenge as well, you still have a few days to enter and be in with a chance to win a £10 The Altered Element Voucher - Yum!

Have an enchanted day.

Blog Candy AND New Stamp Artist Alert!

What a way to start the week! It is BLOG CANDY time! Wahoo! 

Elaine is holding a blog candy over at the Quixotic Paperie Store blog Quixotic Inspirations to celebrate a NEW stamp Artist joining the Susana Custom Art and Card Design fold.

But we ain't telling you WHO the new artist is! Well not until the stamp release date 29th October 2010 when the QP DT will be joining the SCACD DT for a release day blog hop.

A date for your diaries!

Oh and the candy? Pop on over to Quixotic Inspirations to join in!

Oh Boy And Configurations!

Arghhhhhhh! I'm not a natural early riser...So when I keep waking up in the early hours of the morning for no reason what so ever and then can not get back to sleep it tends to make me a little manic - Eek

Or should that be more manic than usual?

Hey ho! What can you do? I am somewhat prone to insomnia attacks and general problems with actually getting to sleep. My gorgeous man helps me to sleep by reading to me, isn't he lovely! He didn't realise that it was in his contract (very small print) poor boy.  

Sleeping generally annoys me, I feel it is time I could be doing other things. Well until I don't have any and then I start to be a bit stranger than usual like making a cup of tea and leaving the milk out next to the kettle and putting the teabags in the fridge - you know the type of thing! Making a card then sticking it to the table! I'm sure we have all been there? Haven't we? Anyone? 

Oh the joys!

LOOK! A distraction from my insomnia-driven madness... Look at these...

The new Tim Holtz Configurations available over at The Altered Element. 

Oooooo they look fab! They are customisable shadow boxes - how cool is that? I love shadow boxes!

Did I distract you sufficiently from the lack of sleep jabbering? 

Oh look the sun is coming up.

Good night

ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz