Happy New Year 2015

So we've welcomed in the new year and so begins 2015.

What crafty things have you got planned for this year?

I've been finishing off some of my Christmas projects that I had started late.

One of my favourites were my little robins which I purchased from Dandelion Designs.

They are super cute, quick and easy to do. I will post a photo when I've taken them. 

The Brother Scan n Cut - fails me :( 

Sadly I had a Brother Scan n Cut purchased for me for my Christmas and Birthday present but the machine was faulty, it would not turn off/on (literally on taking out of the box and setting up, the machine turned itself on from the point of powering up.  The on/off switich achieved nothing apart from telling me that the machine wa shutting down, which in fact in never did, it just went round on a cycle of appearing to want to shut down. Only removing the power cable would force the shut down. I was and am bitterly disappointed by the customer service I recieved from Create and Craft who I purchased it from and to that end I returned the product and am too cautious to want to re-visit such an experiance.  

I am not an electronic cutting machine novice as I have two Cricut machines, the original Create and an Expression but I was hoping to use the scan facility of the Brother and was looking forward to creating my own designs.  Unfortunately I've been left with a rather sour taste in my mouth and am therefore in the market for examining new machines - any takers?????

Red Work Christmas Bunting

Hi All

I thought I would post today my Red Work Christmas Bunting, which I'm pleased to say I made in time for Christmas.  I purchased a kit from Mandy Shaw Of Dandelion Designs.  It was a beautiful kit and the fabrics were perfect.  I thoroughly enjoyed making it and will be proud to hang it every year.
I hope you like it too.

The main stitch used is back stitch and a few french knots.  The designs are marked onto the fabric by heat transfer and the stitching is then applied over the lines.  Each flag has been bound with bias tape and the same binding was used to make the  hanging cord. 

I thoroughly enjoy Mandy Shaw designs and the material she uses are excellent quality.

I hope you like the red work bunting.

Keshi Pearl Bracelet

Hi All

I've been adding to my Etsy again with a beautiful Keshi Pearl Bracelet.

I have really fallen in love with these Keshi Pearls and their natural free-form shape.  I love their organic feel, although they have an irregular shape they are totally smooth.  A Keshi pearl grows nucleus-free and forms in the cavities where the first generation pearls once grew. They are completely free-form and are the closest cultured pearl equivalent to a natural pearl. 

These particular ones are silver in colour with mother of pearl tones. The average size is 8mm x 10mm and I have used a sterling silver chain as an extender and a silver plated bolt ring clasp.

If you're interested in these at all they are available in my Etsy Shop, just click on the link on the right hand side bar - thanks for looking.

Christmas Houses

Hi All

Haven't posted in a while and have a lot of catching up to do, so I'm going to start with my little tea light Christmas Houses. 



I made these cute little homes out of polymer clay.  I decorated the outside with christmas trees adorned with baubles of all different colours.  I hand rolled and shaped candy canes, all along with seasonal holly and berries and what do you know - it snowed on my cute little house too - well OK I had snowtex!

 I made sure I left a hole in the base big enough to fit a battery operated tea-light and there's my little Christmas House.

I enjoyed making this so much I made several others, so I have a village. 

They are a perfect little night light for all ages.  If you're interested in buying one at all - just hop on over to my Etsy Shop, by clicking on the icon below or on the right hand side of the page.

Clover Clam Shell Case

Hi All

A bit of change....................... It's sewing time!!!

I recently purchased from Create and Craft, the Clover Clam Shell Accessories Case (Forms) as I wanted to do a quick little project that was different.  I bought the sets in all of the sizes small, medium and large but I started with the small one first.

I had already purchased a set of fat quarters from C&C which are absolutely beautiful and perfect for this project - well I think so :)

I should have now taken photos of the process, but I was too eager, so I will do that with the next sizes; however, here is the finished Clam Shell Case!  Finished size is 7cm x 5cm.  I am really pleased with the finished article and its ideal for keeping a few £1 coins in for the trolleys etc.  a few sewing notions, e.g., thimble, thread and needles, a little jewellery pouch and so the list goes on. 

And so to the finished purse, I hope you like it :)

I will be selling these soon in my Etsy Shop come and see.

Love and Hugs

Kaz Bee x

Spellbinders Sunflowers

Hi All

I've finally found time to play with my Spellbinder Flower Dies and am really pleased with the result.
My first flowers are Sunflowers, well who can resist that lovely flower, that follows the sunlight.

So here are my flowers!

It takes ten cuts of the petals but I think it's well worth it.  I used a yellow card I ad and then inked the edges with a stampin' up ink. I will put all the details up when I make my next one, but just thought I'd show this as a starter.

Hugs, Kaz Bee :)

A Picture at Last

Well, at last here's my picture of my finished Scandinavian Tapestry Heart.  I did finish it in time for Christmas and was very pleased with the result.

What do you think?

I am waiting at the moment for our extension to be finished so that I can get all my crafty goodies organised and sorted out so that I can get seriously crafting again.  I soooo can't wait :)

Hugs xxxx

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone and I hope that it is a peaceful and healthy one for all.  At this time of year we reflect on all the things to come and all the things which have passed.  It's not always easy as we are all dealt so many difficult blows in life; however, my best wishes go to all, for peace, health and happiness.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hugs  Kaz Bee xx

Scandinavian Christmas Sewing

  The storm for the South East passed through our part of the East Sussex County with some damage to trees and cars but I'm very thankful to say that our home weathered the strong winds without any damage.

Anyway, this change in the weather has brought home even more that Christmas is not far away, with  the seasonal early nights, the blustery weather and the change in all of Mother Nature and so, whilst I was sitting recovering from a recent heart blip, broken toe and lovely bruise to my shin, I thought I would get on with finishing my Scandinavian Heart Snowflake tapestry cushion.

So here's a picture so far .........

The kit is from 'Cleopatra's Needle' and includes all that you need to complete the project apart from a little bit of wadding.  It does include a packet of lavender though, which is gorgeous. 

The heart is worked in tent stitch which is sturdier than half cross stitch and gives a neater and flatter finish.  Here's the back view............

Well I better get back to it now, will post a picture of the finished heart when it's done.  I hope this has inspired your festive making.

I hope to post some more makes over the next few days :) 

Karen 

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