Daisy Chain Maille Bracelet

Well Hi there everyone!

I've decided this week that I should finish of some of those projects that get started and then!!!  You know the UFOs that sit in the cupboard; well before I show you some of those, now finished items, have a look at my Daisy Chain Maille Bracelet.  I was going to make a different design altogether and then, you know how the feeling takes you, that you just want to try something else and well here it is.

I was really pleased with the way it turned out and I can't wait to start making some more.

Below are close-ups of the individual daisy links.  Each Daisy took me about 10  - 15mins, which I didn't think was bad for my first attempt at this design. 

Hope you all have a good day!

Hugs KazBee

Chain Maille Bracelet

I've been making jewellery for some time now, but recently got into Chain Maille.  I like the complexity of the designs and find it really relaxing. 

 I have posted below a picture of a Byzantine style bracelet that I made for my daughter. 

It takes a while to make a bracelet and it does help having all the right tools.  

You start with lots and lots of jump rings.  You then need to open several to be able to start the linking process.

  You don't want to have to open each link as you go to add a new one, so make sure you open quite a few to start.  Always open the links by twisting sideways, do not pull the link ends directly away from each other as you will end up making a weak point in the ring.  There are several patterns that you can make in Chain Maille and the Byzantine is a good starting point.

Back with Pergamano

As promised back with the project I was working on yesterday.

I am going to a little girl's christening soon and wanted to make a special card that was different.  I enjoy pergamano, so I thought I would include it in my design. I decided I would make a book format card using the 'Bookatrix Board' and that I would do a little dress in parchment with some butterflies, well you have to have butterflies, don't you????

I traced the design of the dress with a white ink pen onto parchment paper and used a dorso crayon to colour the parchment to a soft pinky mauve. I then started to emboss the design, using flicking motions to create movement and veins in the petals and leaves.  When I was happy with the embossing, I started the pricking.   This enabled the effect of layers on the dress.

 So here is the dress and butterflies.

I haven't finished the card yet, it's not assembled, as I want to add some personalised info, reflecting the day etc. , but just to give you an idea of the lay out etc. here's an sea of what s going to look like.

Wishing  you all a lovely day and I'll post the card when it's finished.

Hugs

KazBee

Finally, I've sat myself down to blog again!!!  It wasn't that I didn't want too, just been so busy with lots of different things, although, I'm very glad to say I still managed to fit some crafting in.  My blog has mainly shown cards that I have made but I have been crafting for many years and I think have given most crafts a go, so I am going to put some of my other 'makes' up on my blog from now on.

I love to knit, sew, crochet, make jewellery, with beadwork etc., scrapbooking, and paper crafting. I've also done glass painting and I love working with different tools and medium, so find the melt pot great, friendly plastic, Fimo etc.  I also enjoy, parchment craft and quilling.

I will add to this tomorrow by adding my latest project with photos - see you then :)

KazBee

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all you lovely crafty people.  I'm hoping that 2013 will be a healthier year for me and that I will be able to craft more and add to my blog frequently.  I'm not going to make them new years resolution, as I'd only be sure to break them!!!!

I have returned :)

Hi All

Unfortunately I have had a quiet period due to illness, but now I am back and can't wait to show my crafty goodies again.  I have been undertaking seeral different crafts as I can't sit still without doing somethng craft and so i will be showing some of my creations in the next few days - I've missed my crafty world :)  So please look out for my blogs over the following days - glad to be back :)

Happy Easter!

Haven't blogged for a little while as I have been busy at work and all sorts of other things too! I am glad to say though that I have managed to squeeze some crafting in at last.  I made a Wedding Card for our relatives in the USA but I am gutted that I forgot to take photos of it before we sent it - but I have taken photos of the Easter Cards that I made in the 'in-between' times. (photos taken with my mobile though and so they are not very sharp)

I made nine in total and I have used the following recipe:

Pink and Green Gingham Paper

White Card for sentiment and first nestie layer

Suitable co-ordinating card for the birds and branch - your choice

Nestabilities - Labels One & Edgeabilities

Stampin' Up Bird Punch

Ribbon to contrast

Tim Holtz distress inks, Spun Sugar and Forest Moss

Sponge/ink blender tool

Pinflair glue

I think the pictures show how all the elements were assembled and I inked the edges of the base card, first nestie layer (white) and the sentiment layer.

I am sending gift vouchers for easter this year, easier than eggs in the post!

So here's the inside to hold the vouchers

and for the close-up

I am entering these cards into the 'Crafty Designs Challenge Blog' competitions  and I hope that they will also give some inspiration for a spring or summer card to crafters by changing the sentiment and colours.

Happy Easter To You All 

for this weekend

I shall be enjoying my daughter Kimberley's 20th Birthday

* YAY * 

Magnolia - Make a Tag

Oh boy, enjoyed this challenge as I was able to incorporate one of my new mini Tildas - yay!!!

OK so here's the recipe......

• ColorCore Cardstock - Tim Holtz & Ranger Distress Collection
• Centura Pearl Cardstock - Snow White
• Mini Magnolia Stamp - Tilda with Tulips
• Spellbinders Nestabilities - Blossom tags and Accents
• Magnolia DooHickey - Heart Swirl Branch
• Stampin' Up - Decorative Label Punch
• Copics & Promarkers
• 3 Nesting Flower Punches
• Grosgrain Ribbon - Primrose Yellow
• Mini pearl embellishments
• Small eyelet inserted with use of Crop-a-dile

So here is how I put it together...........

I stamped Tilda onto the Centura cardstock and coloured her with a combination of Copics and Promarkers.  I cut the base and the second layer from the ColorCore Cardstock; 'Scattered Straw' and 'Barn Door', using the Nesties.  The Heart Swirl was die cut from 'Peeled Paint'.  I assembled the tag by placing the heart swirl on the reverse of the Tilda label, to the point that I was happy where it would show and glued this to the back of the tag.  I then layered the pieces up as above.  The flowers were punched from the same colours as the  main part of the tag and swirl to keep the theme running through.  I wanted to chose spring colours but with a bit of vibrance.  

I moulded the flowers by rolling them with a pergamano ball tool on a piece of sponge and curled the petals back to give more dimension.  I assembled them and added a pearl embellishment to the center of each.  I added a pearl to the scallops of the base layer to add further dimension.  I added a co-ordinating  eyelet by using a crop-a-dile and threaded through some primrose grosgrain ribbon.

I was pleased with the outcome and will be making some more for my Easter Gifts :)

I am entering this Tag in to the Magnolia Challenge

Magnolia Challenge No. 144 - Make  A Tag

Pink, Pearls & Lace - Magnolia Challenge

Oh boy, how busy we've been, I can't believe that it is already half-way through February.  I've been loom knitting lately and made a few requested 'calendar girls' to make so hadn't had anything new to put up on the blog, but once I find some more time and a little space to work in, I'll be putting up all my makes :) 

Well I just love my Magnolias and couldn't resist this challenge, even though I think may only just make it before the deadline!  So here she is: 

Pink, Pearls and Lace

I used my Tilda with butterflies, bought for me by my gorgeous daughter.  

I have coloured her with a combination of my Copics and Flexmarkers. Skin colours of Copics, being E21, E00 and E000.

 I cut her out using a circle Nestability and then used a corresponding scalloped Nestie for the mount.  The backing paper and the mount have been cut from a pack of First Edition Papers called 'Sweet Owl'.  The lace is antique lace from a small boutique near to where I live and the pearls are hat pins.  I have used the Magnolia DooHickey die, Swirl Butterfly as my embellishment.  this was cut from a Coredinations card stack and the 'stickled' for the sparkly effect.

Hope you like her and I'm entering her in to 

the Magnolia Challenge 143 - Pink Pearls and Lace

Magnolia Gift for a Special Friend

For Christmas my family spoilt me with some fantastic crafty goodies including some beautiful Magnolia stamps, they know what I love, some Nesties and a Zutter Bind it All.

So one of my first projects was to make a little note pad, I was so pleased with the outcome that I then made one as a New Year gift for a very good friend of the family and my eldest daughters best friend.

I hope you like it.

I bought a small block pad from a local store and used some of the pages from this to form the inside of the pad, the covers are cut from 'Spring Feast' First Edition Papers.  Magnolia has been stamped on to Neena card stock and coloured with a mixture of Copic Markers and Flexmarkers.  The edge of the Nestie shape has been edged with 'Spun Sugar' Distress Ink.  

Our friends name is Vicky and this has been cut, from the same set of papers, using my Cricut Create and Jasmine Cartridge and then covered with glamour dust.  The top of the mini pad has been embellished with an assortment of pink, green and yellow ribbons, all colours taken from the papers and Magnolia.

I hope you like it - I'm planning to make another for another friends whose birthday is very soon - after all who wouldn't just fall in love with Magnolia :) 

I am entering this into :

Week 138 - Simon Says Stamp Special Monthly Challenge - anything goes

HAPPY NEW YEAR

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY, HEALTHY & PEACEFUL 2012

HAPPY CRAFTING :) 

Hugs Kaz Bee x 

Merry Christmas Everyone

Well it's Christmas Eve and soon to be Christmas Day

Here's wishing everyone a 

Peaceful, Healthy and Happy Christmas 

with all good wishes for 2012

Mince Pies and Jam Tarts

Next bout of cooking, a few Mince Pies and Jam Tarts

(for those in the household who do not like mince pies).  

I have only made a few so far, as I like them fresh and warm from the oven,

but mmmmmmmm delicious

Sausage Rolls next on the menu and maybe some Oreo Cookie Balls :)

Mars Bar Cake

Christmas is nearly here and one of my first makes is a Mars Bar Cake; only trouble is, it didn't last long enough and so will have to be making some more!!!

This was all tht was left about an hour after making it!! LOL

  It's really easy and quick to make and tastes delicious.  There are various methods, which include some with Digestive Biscuits and some with Rice Krispies, others use golden syrup and some margarine or butter, melted with the Mars Bars.  The Mars Bars and Golden Syrup/Butter/Margarine are melted together and then the 'Krispies' or crushed Digestives are added till the mixture is evenly coated and will hold together when set. The Topping is solid chocolate and that again is a preference with either plain or milk chocolate; melt the chocolate and then pour over the base and allow it all to set; if you can wait long enough.

Enjoy!

Dorcas Designs Candy

Have a look at Dorcas' website - stunning cards and colouring and Dorcas also has some delicious candy at the moment too! Until 30th December 2011.

Yipee!!!! I'm a Winner - Just Magnolia

WOW - I can't believe it, what an early Christmas present, I'm been picked as a winner in Just Magnolia's Challenge for 'Pink.White or Red' and this was my entry...... my little calendar girl

I am extremely pleased to say that I have won a fantastic voucher from 'Crafts U Love' and boy is that true, I do love to Craft.

Thank you to all the DT member's of Just Magnolia for all their inspiration - I'm as proud as punch to have won this challenge.

STARCARDS AUCTION for GREAT ORMOND ST HOSPITAL

I am very happy to promote and support the auction below, in raising funds for children who require treatment from all over the world, at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.  Fantastic gift ideas for Christmas, totally authentic and supporting a good cause at the same time, a gift that keeps on giving :)

Starcards Chrity Auction is now live at: http://www.starcards.org

Featuring hand signed items from Michael Crawford (Wizard of Oz), Brian May (Queen) , Alfie Boe (Les Miserables), Kerry Ellis (Wicked), Lee Mead (joseph and his Amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat), Amanda Holden (Shrek)

StarCards are delighted to support and promote worldwide, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. We hope that as a result of our involvement it will be possible for children of all nations who are suffering from the rarest, most complex and often life-threatening conditions, to receive the best medical care that money can buy. With help from our friends and sponsors StarCards organise fundraising events, celebrity visits and charity auctions dedicated to the wonderful work of GOSH.

Calendar Girl - Magnolia

Well here's my little calendar girl

This Magnolia is one of my favourites and as I had not been feeling well lately, I sat with a stamped image (on watercolour paper) and coloured her in with my Prisma Pencils, blending with Sansidor.  It's one of my first projects with these pencils, and even if I say so myself, I was pleased with the outcome.  I did layer her with some Crafter's Companion 'Spray and Shine' afterwards so as to protect her.  She is mounted on a mini wooden spoon which I had picked up in a local store months ago.  

CLOSE UP OF THE FLOWER

 I made the flower by using eight 'foundation white blooms' from Wild Orchid Crafts.  I coloured these with Promarkers and dried them with my hairdryer - LOL, anything is used in the name of craft.  There are two layers for the base and the other layers are folded and glued to the center, I used a pearl brad also from WOC for the center.  (If anyone is interested in how I did them with more info, just let me know and I will put a tutorial together - they are very effective and sturdy, whilst still being flexible).  The calendar came from a local stationery store and the ribbon is from my stash.

I kept the project clean and simple so that it would be appropriate for any setting

and finally

MAGNOLIA

JUST 'COS SHE'S SOOOOO SWEET

Hope you like her and the project too - please let me know

I am entering her into the following challenge:

Just Magnolia Wk 134 - Challenge Pink/White/Red

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

WISHING ALL OUR FRIENDS ACROSS THE POND

A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING, HOPE YOU ALL HAD A WONDERFUL TIME YESTERDAY

ENJOY THE HOLIDAY SEASON

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

OK, so I know it's November today, but here are some photo's of our Halloween efforts at our house last night, there were a lot more but we were too busy decorating to take more photos - LOL

THE TREE DECORATIONS

HENLEY IN THE HALLOWEEN SPIRIT WITH RACHEL

And here are just a few of the sweets that we put together, there were loads more, but we made the bags and labels for these and covers for the lollies.  We had trays of other sweets and some in bowls of the slippery balls that you put in vases, brilliant for Halloween.  We also made 'Frankfurter Mummies'.  These are frankfurters wrapped with strips of croissant dough, made to look like mummies swathed in bandages.  Cooked in the oven and were yummy, hence no photo, all been eaten :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN