Vixx Handmade Cards Candy

It will be Vicky's birthday soon and she is offering great candy to celebrate.

The candy ends 28th August at 9 p.m. so be sure to click on the picture above, or on he side bar, and pop across.

Wedding Card

OK, so this is the other project I've been spending my time on.  One of my very good friends is getting married, tomorrow!!!!!!! And this is the card gift that I've have made for her and her husband-to-be.

I made an easel card and their theme is Vintage Gold & White, hence my colour scheme.  Used the LOTV Bride and Groom stamp, which is very apt in style for the couple, as the bride works in a school and loves al the children and this image has that feel to it.  The card base is made from a pearlescent card stock, which I also made a matching gift box in. There are two sentiments, one which is from a multi-round stamp 'On your Wedding Day' written in a vintage style to match the theme and the LOTV stamp which supports the easel card says 'Wishing you a World of Joy', very apt.

This is a close up of the front of the card.  I trialled a few where I added colour to the image and shading; however, because the theme was 'Gold and White' and the image was clean and crisp, I decided that it didn't need colour this time.  I embossed the image using clear embossing ink and gold embossing powder. I used gold mirri-card for the layering.  The backing paper is, in fact, a stamped image.  It is a large wooden stamp that my daughter picked up once in a local store reduced.  I'm so pleased she did, because I love it :) The bouquet is assembled from flowers purchased from Wild Orchid Crafts and I added some pearl pins which I had in my stash.  I held them together with florists tape.  The bow is made from white chiffon.

The couple already had their own homes before they met and therefore did not require gifts for their new home together.  So we have decided to give them some money to put towards their honeymoon.  I therefore made a small pocket sleeve, from stamped backing paper to take the gift and set this above the sentiment to support the card.  This way I thought they would see the gift easily but it's concealed when the card is resting on the sentiment. If I had put it underneath the flap, which was my other option, I wasn't sure they would know it was there. 

This is the back/base of the card.  I printed the sentiment and cut the two layers with nestabilities; one layer of gold mirri card and the other of neenah as it took the print better than the pearlescent card stock.

I am really pleased with the card and can't wait to go to the wedding tomorrow. let's hope the weather stays fine.  My daughter Rachel has been asked to sing at the wedding, and the song chosen is 'The first time ever I saw you face'.  Rachel sung it at the rehearsal on Tuesday and it was decided that waterproof mascara would definitely be the order of the day, it was so moving and beautiful, there were lot's of watery eyes!!!!!!

Well I hope they like it - I enjoyed making it - please leave a comment and let me know what you think too :)  

Hugs x 

I have decided to enter it into these challenges 

LOTV Challenge 108 - Roses
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes (optional extra of metal)
Crafts & Me Challenge 46 - Anything Goes
Bunny Zoe's Challenge 15 - Easel Card

Baby Bouquet & Lacey Cardigan

I had seen a Baby Shower gift set that had used baby items folded and rolled to make a bouquet so I thought I would give it ago, with baby socks,  as my gift to go with the card that I had made for my friends new little baby and this is the result. Hope you like it :)

 

The bouquet is sitting in a box, which actually contains the lacey cardigan and a couple of sets of little pyjamas, then there is the layer of tissue paper and the bouquet of socks fills the box (bought from Clinton cards) with the little Miffy toy rattle.  I really enjoyed rolling the socks and you can find examples on You Tube of various methods of rolling.  I watched some and then did my own that worked with the socks that I had bought and that I thought looked like a rose when rolled. I was going to make little leaves, or add artificial ones to add to the effect, but I liked it better without in the end.

Well this is the lacey cardigan that is in the box with the PJs.  I spent a few evenings knitting it and enjoyed it as it grew quite quickly.  I made it with Bamboo yarn as it is more hypoallergenic than most man-made fibers.  the colour is a very soft pink, perfect for a 'little baby girl'.

This is the back view.

Hope you like this and it inspires you in your own crafting. 

A Baby Card & Gift

Hi All

Just thought I'd share why I hadn't blogged my crafty bits lately.  Well a good friend of ours has had a beautiful baby girl, who they have named Phoebe, and I wanted to make a special card and gift.  I started with the card. I decided to make it as a hanging frame, spelling the word Baby in pink gingham letters. My daughters a far better photographer than I and I'm afraid these pictures don't really do it justice, but you'll get the idea!

The reverse side of the panels looks like this.

The panels were made with a pearlescent card stock and the letters were cut out using my cricut machine.  I added the butterflies and flowers to each letter, but did not want to overdo the embellishments, so that it didn't detract from the letters.  The panels were joined together with pastel pink ribbon with a small silver bead at the top.  This is the box that I made for it.

Hope you like it and it inspires you with your crafting projects.  Of course the panels can be adapted for whatever you want to celebrate.

In my next blogs I'll show you what I made as the present.

Have fun.

Rachel Brett & Dorie Jackson

WOW! Whole week without a post but boy have we been busy.  Highlight last night though was of my daughter Rachel recording with Miss Dorie Jackson.  Rachel has been writing some new songs and is putting together an album, which will be released soon.  Dorie came to the recording studio to put down some backing vocals for Rachel; and the tracks are sounding brilliant.  Dorie is a lovely, inspiring lady and a fantastic singer and has worked with many famous vacalists and groups, including Chris Difford of 'Squeeze' fame.  It was a great evening and we were very grateful to Dorie for her time and input.

Rachel and Rachel also did a 'live lounge' style acoustic version of one of the songs, which hopefully I will be ale to post the link for soon. 

Rachel and Dorie at Appleyard Studios in Robertsbridge.

I'll be back to crafting & posting soon though!

PevFest 2011 - Rachel Brett Band

Well Saturday came and the weather stayed fine and PevFest was a great event; and the Rachel Brett Band were brilliant and went down a treat.

 

If you click on the picture above it will take you to 'You Tube' and a montage of the bands gig.  Their set was an hour long so the video is just of selected clips.  The Band has recently formed and they have already been booked for further gigs.  They are currently unsigned but raising lots of interest in the music world.  Rachel has been in the recording studio recently and she will soon be releasing her new album which will include her newly written songs.  Details will be released here and on her own website. 

http://rachelbrett.com/www.rachelbrett.com/Welcome.html

Condolences to Norway

At KazBee Crafts we were very sad to hear of the tragic news from Norway and just to say our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time.

'i den dypeste sympatien'

Trines-papirkaos - Summer Candy

Follow the link here by clicking on the picture or by the sidebar to visit this bog.  Stunning designs full of inspiration and also some excellent candy on offer.  Follow the links and good luck :) 

PevFest - Rachel Brett Band

Well it's Friday, the day before PevFest and my daughter and her band, Rachel Brett Band (RB Band) are the first act on.  PevFest is an all day event, where lots of bands play at the local pubs in Pevensey Bay; it's a great day out, with something for everyone.  There are all types of bands from soul, jazz, blues, rock, pop & heavy metal. The organisers try and put the same/similar genre of music on at all the venues. There is also a stage on the beach, which is great.  That's where my daughter and her band are starting it all off.  So here's to sunshine and a great day.

 

Click on the poster to find out more about Rachel.  The band have recently formed together and they are all brilliant musicians. 

Rachel sings and plays guitar, ukulele & keyboard, writes her own songs and is joining the MGA Academy from this Sept. 

Jamie is an excellent guitarist.  His guitar playing is brilliant and shows maturity despite his young age; he also plays an excellent version of the classic, 'Parisienne Walkways'.

James, the awesome drummer!  James' drumming is fantastic, his enthusiasm for the music and his instrument shine through and he's another definitely to watch for the future.

The Rachel Brett Band will perform a selection of Rachel's own songs and some covers at PevFest. They've also been requested to play at the 1066 Cruisers Event.  At this event there is a display of Classic, Vintage and Hot Rod Vehicles, more details to follow.

If you can pop along to PevFest, come and join us,

it's a great day out (all details on the poster)

Blue and Pink and Summertime Challenges

Well in between the rain and whilst still recovering from a major operation, I made this card and decided to enter it in to the challenges listed at the end.

The card base is made from 'Crafter's Companion' Centura Pearl Snow White which has a light lustre to it.  The papers were from a free pack from Pink Petticoat which came from a magazine that my hubby bought for me this week and I thought were just perfect. The fairy image is from LOTV and I think just adorable, just love using it and the text is from a set of Country Companion stamps.  I used silver mirri card to add dimension to the layers.

My lil' blue fairy was coloured with Copics and Promarkers, just love the depth of colour that you can build with these and how they blend so well.

 And of course the inside got the finishing touch too!

Hope you like the design.

I have entered this into the following challenges:

LOTV Challenge 105 - Pink & Blue

Paper Play '11 Challenge wk 28 - Things with Wings

Divas by Design Challenge 6 - Pastels

Crafts for Me Challenge 43 - Summertime

Allsorts Challenge wk 112 - Free & Easy

Jacque's Joie de Vivre- Happy Birthday Candy

Jacque who is a DT member of LOTV, WOC and Just Magnolia and hAnglar and sTanglar amongst many other strings to her bow, is celebrating her birthday by offering some fantastic candy.  Jacque's designs are beautiful and inspiring, so pop over and have a look and maybe join in with a chance for some candy; candy ends 31st July 2011.

Marianne's Craft Room Candy

Congratulations to Marianne who has just become a member of the DT for 'Squiggle Stamps'.  Marianne's candy offering is a £10 voucher for 'Squiggle Stamps'.  I enjoy looking through Marianne's inspiring creations, so pop over and have a look and maybe enter for the candy - good Luck :)

Bunny Zoe Candy

Bunny Zoe's Candy this week, is the chance to win the fabulous new Magnolia DooHickey Die - Old Oak. Fantastic for all the autumnal days which will soon be on their way - Oh no!!!!!!! 

but also Halloween :)

Candy entries must be in by Midnight, Thursday 22nd July 2011

so visit the blog now, link above or see my side bar 

- Good Luck -

Sketch & Summer Challenges

Well saw Donalda's sketch on the LOTV Challenge and  and had to stop what I was doing to put a card together and thought it combined so well with the other challenges of summer and seeing that ours is pretty cool at the moment, thought the blue tones were very apt. 

Loved the sketch for this card - hope you do too!!!

I made the card base from Centura Pearl, Snow White Card Stock from 

Crafter's Companion, it has a lovely pearlescent sheen to it, not sure you pick it up really well in this photo though.  The backing papers are from my stash, from a 'My Minds Eye' paper stack and a Kate Knight paper stack.

Well this is my 'Cool Blue Lil' Girl Fairy' close up.

Usually, I would probably colour her in pinks or lemons, but I decided to go for a blue feel to make a change.  I used a mixture of Copics and Promarkers and the tips of her wings were highlighted with a touch of ultra fine glitter, as were the dandelion leaves.

And here's my artistic crop of the flowers - LOL.  The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, except for the green lower layered petals, which are from a tin in my stash - thank goodness for a stash!!!!

Hope you like the card, please let me know, love hearing from all you like minded crafting buddies

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

LOTV Challenge 104 - Sketch by Donalda

Dream Valley Challenge 11 - Summer Theme

One Stitch at a Time Challenge 70 - Anything Goes

Scrappy Frogs Challenge Blog - Summer Flowers

One Stop Craft Challenge 139 - Summer Time

Pixie Dust Paperie - July - Giveaway

Pop over to Pixie Dust Paperie (follow this link or click on the piccie on the side bar!)to see some of the DT's wonderful designs.  They have some wonderful Candy on offer for July - Giveaway runs until 18th July - so have a go & good luck

Hugs x

Freshly Baked Apple, Sultana and Cinnamon Bread - Yum

Thought I would share this with you, as this morning instead of crafting I made fresh yoghurt, that is still brewing and this loaf of bread.

Don't know about you but I just love the smell of fresh bread; well almost as much as eating it.  This is made from a flour mix, that I buy from a Farm locally, which is a Apple & Cinnamon Bread Flour, the recipe to then make the bread is as follows (in English imperial measurements) :

1lb 2oz Flour (Apple & Cinnamon already added)
2.5 tsp Dried Yeast
1.5 tsp. Salt
1.5 tsp Sugar
2.5 tsp. Olive Oil
320ml Water (hand warm)
Sultanas - added to preference

I have a bread maker, that I love, and this all goes into that on the dough programme.  When it's ready, about 1.5 hours later, I pop it into a traditional loaf tin, or make rolls and bake accordingly.

If you can't get the ready mixed flavoured flour, I would guess that some dried chopped apple and cinnamon with a bread making mix or bread flour, would give the same results; although you would have to experiment with quantities for your own preferences.

The aroma is delicious, and is calling to me, so I have to go now, off to enjoy with butter and a cup of coffee.

***** YUM *****

Just Magnolia and Crafts and Me Challenges

This is my card for
Magnolia hAnglar and tAnglar  Challenge 113- Anything Goes with Shabby Chic and
'Crafts and Me' Challenge 42 - Favourite Stamp/Image

 The backing paper is a from 'docrafts Papermania' set called 'Summer Bloom'.

Magnolia was coloured with a mixture of Copics and Promarkers. 

Skin: E21, E00 and E000 with R00 for the cheeks.  The pinafore, top, bows and boots were a whole plethora (been waiting to use that word - LOL) of colours.

The flowers and brads are from my stash, not sure where they came from now and the gems were from C&C.  I pergamanoed (if that's the term) the butterfly, colouring the parchment with dorso ink and embossing the outlines etc. The tag is from Tim Holtz and the little pearl gems are from WOC.

I enjoyed this challenge as I had been waiting to use this stamp as I love Magnolia, just think she's soooo cute.

This card is being entered into two challenges:

Just Magnolia hAnglar & tAnglar - Anything goes with the option of Shabby Chic
Crafts and Me - Favourite Stamp/Image

Please leave me any comments as 

I'd love to know what you think too :) 

Prom Time!

Just thought I would share a picture of my daughter, all ready for her prom, last Friday.  I had a heart op. earlier this year and didn't think I would get to see her in it, so very proud and pleased for many reasons!

Rachel is a singer, song writer and she has her own web site http://rachelbrett.com/www.rachelbrett.com/Welcome.html where you can hear some of her tracks.  She has been recording recently and will have a new album out soon.  Rachel will also be opening a local Music Festival called Pevfest.  It is a day of all kinds of music from blues through to rock, all free and approx. 50 bands will take part; it makes a great day out. I don't think that she will be wearing her prom dress to front her band though!!!!!!

Copic Challenges and Crafts and Me

Well the Copic Challenges were a mish..., as my daughter would say!  Colour White Clothing http://copiccreations.wordpress.com/ and CMC's Copic Challenge of Folds, Pleats and/or Ruffles http://scrapbitzcopics.ning.com/group/cmccopicchallengegroup; I linked these two challenges to the Crafts and Me Challenge of Birthday too http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/2011/06/challenge-41-birthdays.html (all blinkies down the side bar too for quickness).

I used one of my favourite images at the moment 'Twilight Lily Fae' from Crafts and Me.  I accentuated her dress with copics C-1, C-3 and C-5, to bring out the subtle tones of shade and light.

Her bodice was coloured in a gold and her hair in varying tones of light browns.  The tips of her wings were highlighted with very fine glitter powder - to add a little bit of fairy dust!

I added an LOTV sentiment as I thought it was very apt, a piece of organza shimmer ribbon from my stash along with a few little gem stones.  I also highlighted some of the background fairies and branches from my 'Dovecraft' fantasy paper.

I hope you enjoy this card as much as I enjoyed the challenge.  I am entering this in to the following challenges:

Copic Creations Challenge No. 53 - White Clothing
CMC Copic Challenge Group No. 21 - Folds, Pleats and/or Ruffles
Crafts and Me No. 41 - Birthday

HAPPY 4TH JULY

WISHING ALL OUR AMERICAN FRIENDS & FAMILY
A VERY HAPPY 4TH JULY!!!