It's great to be eight...

Back at the beginning of February, my son Ashley turned eight years old. Above is the card I made for him. It really is a great age; life is full of play, sport, school, friends and other fun.

Ashley isn't particularly into dirt biking or motorcycling but he's past the age where cutsie images appeal (kids grow up too fast). I wanted to make something a bit "cool". He liked it, that's what I was hoping.

He didn't have a big party this year but still managed a session of slot car racing, dinner at McDonalds and a sleep-over with three mates (I must be mad). Here he is with the figure eight cake I made for him:


Thanks for looking.

Love from Crafty Kim

Happy Birthday Cards

Not too long ago, a friend had a birthday and I made her this card using a Stampin' Up! set from the USA that I have long admired, called Branch Out:


I love the boots and the swing. I was remembering a farm where they have a tyre hanging from one of their many trees so it seemed appropriate.

And then a little friend, formerly aged 4 and 3/4 years, turned the big 5 and I made her this card using a new Stampin' Up! set called Pony Party:


As an alternative to colouring-in the image, I've used a technique called Paper Piecing. You stamp the image onto different patterned papers and then get snipping, pasting the various components onto a base image.

Like the glittery five? I'm not much of a bling girl myself but the little Miss, she lurves sparkles. She is also a big fan of My Little Pony and horses in general. So Ashley and I gave her a craft kit to make horse pictures using mosaic tile stickers. And we couldn't resist buying her the new picture book called about the library cat called Dewey Readmore Books. It is adapted from another book of the same name, this one for grown-ups:

If you're open to a literary recommendation, this book is a heart-warming read for any animal lover.

Love from Crafty Kim

The Embossing Class Cards Revealed

Just popping in quickly to show you in more detail the cards we made at my embossing class last month.

Here they are. The first one uses white embossing on vellum:


This second one uses a technique called emboss resist and also has a faux metal embellishment.


This last one (which looks better in real life - was rushing when I photographed), uses clear embossing and bleach.


Thanks to everyone who attended. I had a great night catching up with friends while we crafted. Hopefully you learnt something in the process :)

I have another class coming up at the end of this month, focusing on Flowers for Mum. But if you don't need Mother's Day cards, we will use different greetings to make birthday or get well or whatever cards take your fancy. I'll post more about it soon.

Love from Crafty Kim