Spectrum Noir AquaTints

So I have had a play with my Spectrum Noir AquaTints. I had purchased the Essentials set and was thoroughly pleased with the tints and the gold and silver and so, for my birthday my family purchased the Pastel, Landscape and Beautifully Grunge sets. I have played with the Pastel Set tonight and have made two thank you cards. I started by using the colours as a wash (the background for the cards). The colours go on to the watercolour card beautifully and blend very easily. The colours are true and the pastels are good colours which although subtle in shade are vibrant in tone (if that is possible). I preferred to use my own flat brush for the pieces I made as I found the brushes that came with the set too soft for my purpose. On the card in the front, I experimented a little further, a used a faux bleach technique. I was pleased with the results and I have another background, which I will leave to dry overnight which has sea salt on. The stamps were applied with Memento black ink, onto the painted backgrounds. The butterflies were cut around and then manipulated to give dimension. A little glitter glue was added to the edge of the wings and the body (doesn't show up so well in the photo but great accent on the card). And so here are the finished cards - hope you like them :)

Rose Gold Plated Chain Maille

Hi All

I made this Rose Gold Plated Chain Maille bracelet for my Etsy Shop, I hope you like it!

I enjoy doing Chain Maille as although it is time consuming, I find it quite relaxing.

There are several different patterns for Chain Maille the bracelet above has been made using a very simple design, but I like it!  The art of Chain Maille is based on the original Chain Maille pieces as used in medieval times to protect soldiers in their suits of armour.  The patterns themselves have been used, re-worked and given inspiration to new patterns.

When I have made a few more pieces I will upload them to show some different patterns.

Thanks for dropping by.

Clear Quartz and Apatite Twisted Necklace - A Frozen Twist

Today's make is a genuine Clear Quartz and Apatite Nugget twisted necklace.

 The Apatite has a beautiful turquoise hue and when twisted with the clear quartz the piece has a fluid, watery feel and look.  The nuggets have a smooth shine to them.   This piece would be perfect for any occasion or time of year, perfect for winter or summer.

The gems intertwine beautifully.  The two gems have been strung as individual strands onto wildfire thread for strength and stability as well as to allow movement.

The piece has been completed with silver plated findings.  Silver was used to compliment the Apatite and Quartz with its coolness.

This piece will be in my Etsy shop soon, please look out for it.
Thank for dropping by.

Leather Wrap Bracelets

Today I've been making some Leather Wrap Bracelets for my Etsy Shop.

Here' s one in progress

 

I enjoy making these bracelets as to incorporate the beads you have to weave them to the leather, I use a contrast thread, in the same way you bead patterns on a loom. I have used a diamanté style acrylic button for the clasp.

Here are some finished ones.

This will be in my Etsy shop soon, please drop by xxxx

 

Hunkydory Halcyon Days - Dreaming of warmer days to come!

Had a play with my Hunkydory card kit that I had in my stash - Halcyon Days.
The images are bright and summery and although it feels a long way from that at the moment I loved the images and enjoyed working with them.
I decided to make the little box scene cards which have a few layers of decoupage.
I started by constructing the box frame.  This is the rear side.  The opaque area allows you space to write your greeting.  The set also comes with a little stand which enables the card to stand on its own.
Just love Hunkydory Kits, the quality is brilliant and easy to work with. 

Then I added the decoupage layers. This shows just the first layer.

and this is the final result!

I made four in total; hope you like them :)

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 :)