Thursday 31 January 2013

IBSIC #44...........light pink, rose pink and red.



Hello there, Crafty Friends, I'm back today with this week's colour inspiration from Inspired by Stamping Inspiration Challenge.

This week's colour of Light Pink, Rose Pink and Red, say 'love' to me and as it's coming up to Valentine's Day, I went with that theme.

Here's this week's gorgeous inspiration board.


It's such a pretty photo, here's my card using the colours.


Supplies
Stamps- IBS Touched by an Angel
Papers- MME Love Me.
Other- SU Sizzix Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Spellbinder Scalloped Circle, button, twine.

I also used this sketch from Cardabilities.




Thanks for stopping by, hope you will join in with this week's challenge, we love looking at your creations, also you could win some blog candy !!!!! One lucky winner will win $25 gift card to spend at the Inspired by Stamping Store.

xxxxDebxxxx

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Worlds Greatest Husband Birthday Card............using Stampin'Up Collage Curio's.



Hi, I'm back today with a masculine card which is as rare as hen's teeth for me. My sister as asked me to make her husband a card for his birthday. The new Stampin'Up Spring/Summer catalogue is out on Saturday and I'm loving the new Soda Pop Tops with the coordinating stamp set.


The bottle tops are very easy to flatten, I used my Big Shot without tab 1 and 2, with the rim face up, use an old plate as it does dig into the plastic and marks it.
Using the SU Collage Curio's, I stamped the text circle in Crumb Cake then stamped the vintage frame in Chocolate Chip, lastly stamping the hot air balloon in Midnight Muse. I  punched out the stamped image using the 2.5cm circle punch, it fits perfectly inside the bottle top. Once the image was in the top, I  covered it with SU Crystal Effects, giving a nice glossy, raised look to it.

I used this week's sketch from Mojo Monday.



Supplies
Stamps- SU Collage Curio's, SU For my Family, SU World's Greatest.
Papers- SU First Edition, SU Natural Composition, SU Fan Fair.
Other- Soda Pop Tops, Paper Piecing Pack, Hearts a Flutter Framelit Dies, Crystal Effects.

Sunday 27 January 2013

Next Step Sock Knitalong............ Week 1

Hello there, I hope you are all having a good weekend, the sun is shining here and there is no trace of the heavy snow, we'd had. It literally disappeared overnight !!!!!
A couple of weeks ago as I was having a look through Ravelry, I saw that Sarah from Crafts from the Cwtch was having a sock KAL called Next Step Sock, starting on the 24th January. I have only knitted one pair of socks before which was a Rowan Sock Kit and a very basic rib and stocking stitch.

I think it was all meant to be as the day before I'd been looking through Knit Now Issue 17 and I saw a gorgeous sock pattern called Regency socks by Rachel Gibbs. I kept looking at the pattern and thinking I probably couldn't do them so this KAL gave me the shove to have a go.


I had the perfect yarn in my stash which was The Natural Dye Studio's Dazzling 4ply/sock in 'Quetzalciatl'.
My husband bought me a ball winder for Christmas and I love using it, I haven't got a swift so I put it over the back of a chair and started winding. Everytime I use it the song 'Wind the Bobbin Up' that I use to sing to my girls, pops into my head, lol.



The day came for us to all start our socks, I got on You Tube to remind me how to knit in the round using DPN's and I was away.


These are the socks I'm making and this was my first day progress, not a lot but was pleased I'd got the hang of DPN's. I got my 'Believe' sign in the photo just to remind me that I can do it.

It's day 4 today and I've nearly finished the leg.


It's a slow process for me but I'm really enjoying the pattern, I'm getting to the hard bit now, the heel so I'll get back onto the You Tube video's and with the help from the lovely ladies on the Ravelry Group, I'm sure I'll do it.

If you want to take a look at the socks that the other lovely ladies are knitting, check out Sarah's link post, here.



Thanks for looking, hopefully I will have finished my first sock by next week's post. Have a great Sunday.

xxxxDebxxxx

Friday 25 January 2013

My Finished Starburst Flower Throw.......



I'm back today with my Starburst Flower Throw, all finished with a border, it's been a long time coming.
I started it back in May, last year when I found some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran at £2 a ball, I'd had my eye on this Jane Brocket pattern for a while when I first saw it in Mollie Makes Issue 2 and this yarn was perfect as I only had 2-3 balls of each colour. I did buy more cream at full price, though.

I had thought I'd finished it some month's ago but when I was going through my stash, I found the leftover yarn. I kept looking at it thinking I'd get another few squares made from it. I ended up with another 14. It's not a large throw, it has 80 squares now and is perfect for throwing over my legs on these cold, snowy nights.


I had 2 full balls left of the cream so I added a simple border of double crochet (sc in U.S. terms) and a picot edge.


I've loved working with this yarn, it is so soft and squishy and I've ended up with a gorgeous, thick, warm throw.


If you'd like to see other FO's head on over to Tami's blog for FO Friday.


Thanks for stopping by, have a great weekend, everyone !!! We are forecast more snow today, here in the Midlands, U.K. so I maybe stopping put in my cosy, warm home.

xxxxDebxxx

Thursday 24 January 2013

IBSIC #43......White, Saffron Yellow and Pink.



Good morning, how are you all, I hope you are having a good week. I'm back today with this week's Inspired by Stamping Inspiration Challenge.
Here is this week's beautiful inspiration board, with all the snow we are having here in the U.K.this makes me happy, thinking of the summer months.


Here's my card using these pretty colours.


I'm taking a leaf from Ros's book and trying to use all my leftover bits of paper and card, all the paper and card on here are from my scrap box. I added some flowers and buttons, then used my favourite lace trim from Inspired by Stamping, it has adhesive on the back, which is so convenient. I'm also loving the new label dies from Inspired by Stamping, so much easier than hand cutting the stamped image out.

Supplies
Stamps- Just Because.
Papers- My Minds Eye, Pink Paislee.
Other- Fancy Labels Dies 1, MS Heart Border Punch, MS Butterfly Punch.

I also used this week's sketch from Mojo Monday, I love to combine colour inspiration and sketches together.


Thank you for stopping by, I hope you will join us this week's challenge.

Happy Crafting
xxxxDebxxxx

Wednesday 23 January 2013

WIP Wednesday...........Something Pretty Crochet Squares.

Hello there, how are you all, it's extremely cold here in the U.K. and still covered in snow, so we didn't go far over the weekend. I'm not moaning though, I was quite happy to sit in the warm and crochet.
On Friday, my friend, Kerry, had a unexpected snow day so she walked to mine, I made a pot of Rustic Bean and Pasta Soup for lunch and we settled in front of the fire for the afternoon with our crochet.


I worked on my Starburst Flower Throw and Kerry started a gorgeous chunky cowl, we didn't get much done as we do tend to talk a LOT !!!!


On Saturday evening, I started a new project, I've been looking at the Something Pretty pattern for months now and I planned to start it as soon as I got a few projects out of the way. I've been buying Rowan Amy Butler Belle Organic Aran, whenever I see it in the sale,  it is the perfect yarn for this pattern.



The photo doesn't do these granny squares justice, they are so dimensional, I'm not sure yet whether to make some cushions or a throw, so I'll decide when I have a few more squares.

I'm trying to do some stash busting and in the latest edition of The Knitter (issue 54), I saw a little girl's cable knit cardi, that would be perfect for my niece. I had some Rowan Cashsoft DK in my stash so this is on my needles at the moment, it's a sweet pattern and the row of cables, look like little hearts.


Thank you for stopping by, why not take a look over at Tami's blog to see other WIP's.


xxxxDebxxxx

Friday 18 January 2013

FO........Playful Stripe Cardigan.



Hello there, I hope you have all had a good week. Winter is here in the U.K .with amber alerts all around the country for heavy snow. Well, it's here in the Midlands and coming down thick and fast at the moment.



It's the perfect day for staying at home, in front of the fire and doing some knitting or crochet, so I think that's what I'll be doing !!!!

I'm back with a FO today, I wanted to finish my Playful Stripes by Alana Dakos by the weekend, guess what, I did by the skin of my teeth, finishing it late Sunday evening.



I used Rowan Cashsoft 4ply for this little project, I really enjoyed knitting the pattern as the body was knitted all in one so no sewing together, hopefully I will get this to Megan over the weekend. It's so soft and snuggly, perfect for this weather.

Check out everyone else's FO's over at Tami's blog.


Have a great weekend and if you're in the U.K. keep warm !!!!

xxxxDebxxxx

Thursday 17 January 2013

IBSIC #42......white, olive green and blue.



Hello, I'm back today with this week's IBS Inspiration Challenge #42 using the colours olive greenblue and white.

Here's this week's gorgeous inspiration board, isn't it pretty ?

I love these colours especially the beautiful midnight blue.


I also used this weeks sketch from Mojo Monday.

supplies
Stamps- IBS Cute Circles, IBS Little Phrases.
Papers- My Minds Eye, Stampin'Up.
Pretties- IBS Flowers, SU Old Olive seam binding.
Tools- SU Scalloped Punch, Spellbinder Circle Nestabilitie.
Ink Pads- SU Lucky Limeade, Midnight Muse.

I hope you'll join us this week, we love to see your creations. We've also had some new talented designers join the Inspired by Stamping team this week, so it would be lovely if you could pop over and say hello to them.


Thanks for stopping by, I'll be back soon.
xxxxDebxxxx

Wednesday 16 January 2013

WIP.........Adding To My Starburst Flower Throw.


Hello my lovely friends, I hope you are all having a good week, and for those in the U.K. are keeping warm, it is -3 at the moment where I live  but it's been a lot colder in other parts of the country. I know that's not cold for some countries but that is cold for us, brrrr !!!! We even had a covering of snow on Monday.

I'm back today with what was a FO but when I was sorting through my yarn, I found these leftovers from my Starburst Throw. I bought the yarn, which is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran at a bargain price of £2 a ball.


When I had used all the yarn, the throw wasn't as big as I would of liked so always in the back of my mind, I thought I may add to it, if I managed to find more bargain yarn. It's the  perfect size for throwing over my legs, though, on these cold evenings, whilst watching T.V. and doing some crochet.
Anyway, last night, after finding the yarn, I was wondering if I could get another 11 squares from it, which is how many I'll need to get another row, lengthways, so now it is back to a WIP.




I finished 7 centres last night, so I'm pretty sure I'll get the 11 I want I love doing this pattern by Jane Brocket, it's so pretty and very easy to do, my sort of pattern, perfect for if I'm chatting or want to watch a film or T.V.

Check out what everyone else is working on over at Tami's blog.

If anyone loves making socks or has always fancied having a go, Sarah  is doing a KAL called the  'Next Step' Sock KAL on the Ravelry group Knit-a-Long with Crafts from the Cwtch. I've only ever done a basic sock pattern before so I hope I can manage something more complicated, I've decided to try the Regency Sock pattern , which is in the latest Knit Now (issue 17) magazine.It starts on 24th January, you can find all the details here.

Thanks for stopping by, I need to go and check on the Beef Casserole that I'm cooking for my friends, who are coming around tonight. Food, a glass of wine and some crafting, the perfect evening !!!!

xxxxDebxxxx


Thursday 10 January 2013

IBS Release Day.........Blog Hop and IBSIC #41



Hi, I'm back today with three of the new releases from Inspired by Stamping, including this week's Inspired by Stamping Inspiration Challenge.

The first set I'm going to show you is Crafty Organization, I'm so excited about this stamp set. It is what every crafter needs, and as it's the New Year and if you are anything like me, you will be thinking about  de-cluttering and organizing your stash, you will want to create labels for everything !!!!!




I've already made a start and have bought these Kilner Jars with removable centres, the circle stamp fits perfectly inside the removable lid. I've filled them with all my favourite products IBS Flowers, washi tape and buttons.I also used IBS Gingham Washi Tape around the edge, covering the gold rim.
Another Kilner Jar creation is this Pincushion Sewing Jar, I've made as a gift.



I stamped the label and and cut out using the new Fancy Label Die, the 'Stitched with Love' sentiment was from the Cross Stitch stamp set. I then filled the jar with threads, needles, ribbon and buttons.

Supplies
Stamps- Crafty Organization, Cross Stitch.
Pretties- Gingham Washi Tape, twine, heart charm, SU brad, fabric.
Other- Fancy Label Die 1.

Next up is Small Fancy Labels 1.


I've made a little card to give with the Sewing Jar.


I stamped the frame and added the sentiment 'A Gift for You', a quick little gift card.

Supplies
Stamps- Small Fancy Labels .
Papers- Prima Songbird.
Other- Fancy Label Die 1, MS Lace Scallop Punch, buttons, twine.

Last but not least is also my card created for this week's IBS Inspiration Challenge. I used the Flowers Bloom set.




Here's my card using these gorgeous colours.


I wanted to create lots of ruffles like the inspiration photo, so added layers of pleated fabric and lace. I stamped the frame and sentiment cutting out with the die and then using the next size up, die cut some paper to frame the stamped frame.

Supplies
Stamps- Flowers Bloom.
Pretties- Scallop Border Crochet TrimLace Fabric Tape
Other- Fancy Label Die 1, MS Heart Border Punch.

To be in with a chance to win some Blog Candy, please leave a comment on everyone's blog, there will be a winner today and tomorrow. The winner will receive one 4x8 stamp set of their choice and the brand new Fancy Label Die 1.
Become a Fan on our FB page for a chance to win the new die, if you are already a fan, then you are already eligible ! Please let your friends know too.

Today's DT.

Deb Hickman (you're here)

Friday's DT.


Don't forget, you must leave a comment on today's DT  and the tomorrow's  DT  to be in with a chance of winning.
The stamps are available to purchase from today with free shipping with purchases over $25 for today and Friday.

Thanks for joining us for this month's release and good luck with the blog hop. I'm back saturday with the full release.

Happy Crafting
xxxxDebxxxx




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