Sunday 27 September 2009

Old Typepad Posts - August 2009

TITLE: 2S4Y - Kazan's sketch #34
DATE: 08/31/2009 01:39:00 PM
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How fun was this weeks sketch here at {2s4y}...our Sponsor is an online furniture store and we were asked to choose an image from  the catalogue of {living rooms direct} and use this as the colour scheme for our card. I had so much fun trying to find an image that I actually ended up saving about 6 of them to my hard drive and I will probably use them as colour inspo again at a later stage.

I chose the {butterfly rug} as my colour scheme and teamed it with Kazan's gorgeous sketch #34

Kazan#34sketch 

And this is how my card turned out - actually it was my second attempt. I didn't like the first one and tore it up. So glad I started a new card because I am REALLY pleased how it turned out.

** click on image to enlarge **

Kazan #34 Kim

Cardstock: Papermill
Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs - #UDD0136. Sweet, #UDD0137. Scrumptious
Embellishments: Ribbon, Pin, Button - Scrapitude; Butterfly Die - K&Co (red); Pearls - KatyCards
Tools: Butterfly Die - Cuttlebug; Diamond Embossing Folder - Quickutz


Have a look and see what the other DT Members chose as their inspiration - you will be surprised what a little online catalogue browsing can do to a card maker *giggles*

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TITLE: The Golden iPod
DATE: 08/30/2009 01:53:00 PM
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Ipod

I promised you that I would let you know more about the special edition iPod shuffle you may be able to win. Of course, as you may have already guessed this has something to do with AVON ;)

AVON is introducing a brand new Designer Fragrance from {christian lacroix}, named Absynthe which boasts a captivating, mysterious blend of sexy florals and rich woods inspired by the magic of absynthe. The bottle looks gorgeous too and what's even better, there is one scent for HER and one for HIM.

Absynth

Now, what has all that to do with the golden iPod? Easy - any order for a bottle of Absynthe for HER between now and 12 November 2009 will get their name in the hat for the possibility to win a special edition iPod shuffle in gold.

This perfume is fabulous. A designer Fragrance for half the price you would pay on the high street. Don't forget with Christmas coming ever so close, you would grab yourself a fantastic bargain at only £20.00 per bottle! This price is set and will not go up - however there may be a possibility for me to offer you all a 15% discount for all orders placed in October. So you still have some time to think about it.

I am also happy to provide you with a sample piece of fabric, spritzed with Absynthe - so you can make up your mind if you like it or not. This feature will be available from 7 October 2009.

In the meantime - if you are looking for some fabulous value scents...did you know you can get AVON's top sellers {little black dress}, {far away} and {perceive} are right now on half price sale for only £2.99 per bottle?? Yup, that's right 30ml of Eau de Perfume for under £3.00. Did anyone say stocking fillers *wink wink*? I already have quite a number of orders for those babies - contact me if you are interested. My next order will be placed on 8 September 2009, so you better get in quick. Those perfumes will be back up to £6.00 after.

My favourite is Little Black Dress: a very fresh and inoffensive scent -  the perfect fragrance for those Summer and Autumn nights :)

But it gets even better - a selection of all 50ml fragrances are on superb offer as well. Buy one at normal price and get a second one of your choice for only £1.00. I grabnbed myself two bottles of  {jet femme} for a total price of £13.00! Yep, that is 100ml for peanuts. And the best bit is that Jet Femme is the same scent as my beloved {light blue} from Dolce & Gabbana. The cheapest I could get 100ml of Light Blue would be £49.99 - a saving of £36.99 for me. And not forgetting that the AVON fragrance is Eau de Parfum, which last much longer than an Eau de Toilet...can you tell I am obsessed?


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TITLE: Wanna win a golden exclusive edition iPod?
DATE: 08/28/2009 07:31:48 PM
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Stay tuned, because I have a fantastic offer for you, which can win you a special edition golden iPod (not available for general sale). More details will follow over the weekend.

In the meantime, what do you think of the card we sent to Lyndon's mum the other day? She was diagnosed with swine flu, but is fine now. She gave us a present the other day and was due a Thank You card, so I thought this one would be funny. Don;t worry - she will not be offended, her humour is a dark as ours :)

The image was downloaded from the net and I printed it onto cardstock. I hand  cut the shape and just added bits and pieces. Kinda cute, hu?

** click on image to enlarge **

Card - thankx so much

Cardstock - Stampin' Up; Bazzill
Embellishments: Stickers - Pink Paislee; Pearls - Papercellar; Ribbons & Twine - Scrapitude
Tools: Cuttlebug - Swiss Dots Embossing Folder


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TITLE: 2S4Y - Laura's sketch #33
DATE: 08/24/2009 01:39:00 PM
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I am so excited about this weeks sketch, because I truly adore the Sponsor {ead designs}. Not that I do not love all other sponsors we had the honour to work with but EAD produce the BEST scrapbooking rub ons in the world. I am very critical when it comes to Rubs and when I first saw the {baroque frames} I had chosen, I wasn't sure if they would work. Mainly because they appear to be HUGE but also because I wasn't able to figure out how to rub them...

Let me tell you, these babies are the dogs' b*****s, the cats' whiskers...you catch my drift. There is not much rubbing involved either. You place the rub were you want it, just press it gently and peel of the backing - that's it...nothing more, nothing less. Personally I would rename them to "Gentle Press Downs"...

I really REALLY love them and as they are of a vinyl finish, they looks particular stunning on all projects. EAD mainly provide home decor and you can customise what you would like as well in a plethora of different colours. I am going to order a few more of their rubs....

Long story cut short - here is Laura's sketch and for my first card, I flipped it to the right. The word "Remember" takes place of the rectangle

** click on images to enlarge **

Laura331 

Laura33-remember

Cardstock: Bazzill; Papermill
Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs #UDD0137. Scrumptious
Embellishments: Rub Ons - EAD Designs; Ribbon, Button, Pearltrim, Twine - unknown; Flowers - Prima Marketing, Hero Arts; Pearls - Papermania, KatyCards



Then I flicked the sketch back to its original layout

Laura33 

The card I created for this design was off to a good start, but ended in me becoming hysterical...you see all the blue dots? I made them by using my beloved {jones tones} dimensional colours. They are fabulous and easy to use and when I got to the last three dots a HUGE blob of colour (the size of Luxembourg) splashed all over the card. I mean...WTH???? I did not put any more pressure on the bottle as before and now I was faced with a big fat piece of blue colour all over my card...

Laura33-hb2u

Cardstock: Papermill, Bazzill
Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs - #UDD0127. Calm
Embellishments: Stickers - American Crafts Thickers; Rub Ons - EAD Designs; Button, Twine - unknown


There wasn't much I could do but try to wipe it off as best as possible, but that also means there is some blue/silver film across a third of the black and white background. It probably doesn't notice much if you don't know it's there - but it sticks out to me a mile and I am still upset...

Anyway - I hope you all play along with us again. I would also like to say that I try to comment on as many participating blogs as possible but with a full time job, I don't always manage to leave a comment. That doesn't mean that I do not look at all your creations - I do and I love what everyone does.

{here} is out newest challenge and I hope to see you all there


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TITLE: Weekend full of fun
DATE: 08/23/2009 01:37:10 PM
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Us1ventnor0809

Man, what a weekend - I can honestly say that this was the best one so far this year. Lyndon and I rarely spend time hiking together on weekends as I am usually so beat after my working week that I cannot be bothered to do anything. But this Saturday I thought 'what-the-heck' and out we went.

We left home at 09:30hrs and returned shortly after 23:00hrs and in that time we walked, yes W-A-L-K-E-D across the Island from East Cowes to Ventnor. I think Lyndon said it was about 20 miles, and we faced quite a few steep hills. But we rested once in a while and refreshed our bodies by stopping for a pint of beer along the way in a few pubs.

Godshill0809

I was actually surprised at how little out of breath I was and today only my calves hurt a bit because we had a set really steep steps to climb at the end of our hike. The picture doesn't do the height of the hill any justice. It looks almost flat, but trust me it was the steepest hill I ever got up on the Island...but again, once I was up there I was good and not even out of breath. It does pay working out ever Sunday, as my cardio must be totally up to scratch. I have never been able before to do such a long walk without feeling poorly. So, I am pleased and we are certainly ready for our hiking holiday in Germany shortly.

Apart from the Super-Saturday, I also had a Fantastic-Friday...first of all I love the new office premises in which we moved at the beginning of the week. We have a canteen there as well and the prices are amazing - Tall Cinnamon Cafe Latte £1.30 (you won't even get en empty cup in Starbucks for that), Large Bacon and Sausage Bap (you help yourself and can bung as much bacon and sausage on there as you like) £1.75. Needless to say that I tried various bits and bobs from the Cafe this week - when you count that, I am pleased that I only put on 1lb in weight...

But I ramble, I wasn't going to talk about the food I wanted to talk about my new phone...I LOVESITSOMUCH. My contract was up for renewal and I really hated my old mobile, as the buttons were so small and I had real problems reading/using them (the joys of getting older...). So, I went to the {carphone warehouse} and asked them to show me phones that would be available free on my contract. So I got this beauty

257631033

The {LG KP500} is stunning, sleek and what I love most is that you have many different options on how you would like to create your messages. Keyboard style or handwritten are my fave - I have never been able to write messages as quick as with this baby :)

Additionally the friendly sales guy (who was a piece of delicious eye-candy too), managed to save me £240 per year on my broadband contract - AND I get a wireless router too. What a productive and money saving weekend. Now I can't wait for next Sunday when we are going to see Madness...woooohoooo

Oh and last but by no means least, here's a quick card I made a few days ago. I just had some scraps lying on my desk and it just feel into place.

**click on image to enlarge**
Card - birthdaybird
Cardstock: Bazzill, Stampin' Up
Embellishments: Ribbon, Pin - unknown; Stickers - Making Memories
Tools: EK Success - Wavy Border Punch; Woodware - Circle Punk; Quickutz - Bird Die; Stamps - Stampin' Up (dots), Upsy Daisy Designs (Chandelier); Uniball Signo Pen (white)


And I must not forget to say a big thank you to {this} fantastic lady. When I saw {this} card on her blog, I left a comment saying how much I liked it - guess what I arrived in the post yesterday? Yup, the sweet girl sent it to me. Who said that you cannot meet lovely people on the net?


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TITLE: Twisted Sketches #011
DATE: 08/20/2009 01:48:00 PM
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I know I say this ALL the time but it is amazing how quickly two weeks whizz by these days. I only ever realise when all of a sudden it is my turn to create a project for Twisted Sketches :)

In addition to Anam's wonderful sketch, this weeks twist was to create a monochromatic project. Now I *heart* those challenges as I adore dabbing around with just the one colour. It is very challenging indeed but also very rewarding when you finally got your card or layout together, thinking "I never thought I would be able to create without anything <insert your colour of choice> on it..."

So here is my card - the colour scheme was chosen by Lyndon as I was fed up with reaching for my trusted earth tones. And of course the bugger had to choose the one colour I would most struggle with. You know what? The card was done within 30 minutes...that's how much I did NOT struggle :)

** click on image to enlarge **

Card - Birthday #18

Cardstock: Bazzill; Stampin' Up
Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs #ED011 Charmed, #ED014 Mystical, #ED013 Magical
Embellishments: Buttons, Pin, Floss, Ribbon - Scrapitude; Stamps - Papermania (Happy Birthday), Upsy Daisy Designs (scroll) #UDD210 My Guy
Tools: Cricut Die Cutting Machine; Cuttlebug Embossing Folder "Swiss Dots

So, are you gonna play along with us? See the recent challenge {here} together with the other DT inspo


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TITLE: Holy Butterfly Batman....I scrapped!!
DATE: 08/19/2009 01:30:00 PM
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Yay me - it took some time but I finally managed to find a slice of mojo. She stuck around long enough to make me create one layout within just an hour. I didn't struggle, it just all fell into place and I am mighty pleased :)

The picture was taken by my super talented friend {christiane} during my last visit to my equally talented other friend {nat}. I didn't know Christiane took the picture when I was talking on the phone to my Sweetie-Pie, telling him that I would be home a few hours later that day.

I played with some awesome {perfect little labels} from my friend {jenn}, who - suprise, surprise - is also extremely talented. Yup, she has one of the coolest and hippest Etsy stores around, so check out {creative chaos} for your fix of fabulous jotters. Jenn designs all of them herself and ships internationally if you email her for a shipping price. 

** click on image to enlarge **

LO - LOve you 

Cardstock: Stampin' Up
Papers: KI Memories; Graphic 45; Scenic Route
Embellishments: Stickers - Jenni Bowlin (brown alpha), Making Memories (tiny alpha); Lables - Creative Chaos; Chipboard heart - Rusty Pickle; Flowers - Hero Arts, Daisy D; Rub Ons - Making Memories
Tools: Edge distresser, Tracing wheel - Making Memories; Stamps - Hero Arts; Butterfly Die - Woodware punck (small), Cuttlebug (large); Ink; Glimmer Mist


I really REALLY enjoyed crating this layout so, hopefully there are more to come over the next days. Oh, and don't forget to check out {point blank, period} the new challenge blog of my - dare I say it - uber talented friend {sasha}. Cannot wait for it to go live on September 1, 2009 with their first challenge. In the meantime, get registered at their forum to keep up with the latest happenings. Oh and the sponsor for the first challenge is no other than the amazing Bad Girls Kit club...YAY. How much better can it get?? I am SO gonna be there. With.Bells.On.

Oh oh oh and I have got another story to tell - the Lyndomeister and I are going to see {madness} - double YAY! Every time they played either on the Island or close to us we found out a week after the event and usually sighed a lot, saying "wish we'd known so we could've gone". Well, guess what - Madness play the Island on 30 August 2009 and I got us two tickets...woooohoooo. What a blast from the past and with {kid creole and the coconuts} as one of the support acts, you just know it's gonna be a fun filled afternoon


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TITLE: Jewellery RAK Winner
DATE: 08/18/2009 10:11:00 AM
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I am so sorry I did not get this done sooner, but somehow I totally forgot about the RAK....don't you just hate it when peeps promise you a RAK draw and then forget about it? Sheesh...

But anyway - here it is: the winner of a pair of customised earrings is:

** Terrie Bailey **




Hi Kimmie..

Your jewels are `gorgeous`..

I love your style...

I dont know if Typepad is the same uploading as the Bloggers.....hmmmmre Blog Header....



I usually when I create mine start with it in PS on a 12x12 LO place
everything and layer on a white background but place everything to the
right side of the top of the page?????(forming the border)

I then crop the top and the bottom and resize mine in I hope this makes
some sense for you.....or have I totally confused you more now:)xxx

hope this helps some...





Congratulations!!! E-mail me to claim your prize and to let me know which colour combo you prefer, so I can get working on your earrings straight away.



Thanks everyone for playing along


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TITLE: 2S4Y - Kazan's sketch #33
DATE: 08/17/2009 06:47:00 PM
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This week the 2 Sketches 4 You team got to play with a stamp set each from {clear and simple stamps}. I think the owners must know that I love my wine and cheese and that I am partial to grapes too, because I was lucky to receive the cool {wine tasting} set.

So without further ado, here is {kazan's} wonderful sketch

Kazansketch
And below is my card. I used the word stamp all over the background as I felt this would make the image stand out more. Naturally I chose the wine/cheese/grape combo for the focal point - major food staple in my life. Add Pizza and you would have my perfect evening shown on one card ;)

** click on image to enlarge **

Kazan#33_Kim

Cardstock: Bazzill; Papermill
Stamps: Clear & Simple
Embellishments: Stickers - Jenni Bowlin; Rub Ons - Making Memories; Ribbon, Staples
Tools: Border Punch - Fiskars Effervesence; Ad Markers - Chartpack


Check out what the other girls did and what our wonderful sponsor has up for grabs as a prize for the card of the week {here}


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TITLE: Just Rite Blog Hop
DATE: 08/17/2009 01:00:00 PM
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Ho Ho Ho

It is finally time to join the {just rite blog hop} where a selection of different crafters  showcase the new {christmas releases}. You can click on each of the links below to view the eye candy presented by each designer. If you need early inspo for your christmas cards, these are the places to go:

JustRite Blog



Becca Feeken


Sankari Wegman


Sharon Johnson


Kazan Clark


Sharon Harnist


Laura Davis


Debbie Olson


Michelle Woerner


Taylor Van Bruggen


Jenn Balcer


Michelle Wooderson


Lori Craig


Lauren Meader


Beate Johns


Barb Schram


Kimberly Crawford


Michele Kovack


Jami Bova


Kellie Fortin


Jennifer Buck


Heidi Blankenship


Angela Barkhouse


Lisa Somerville


Gerrie Johnnic


Kathy Jones


Debbie Seyer


Kim Sonksen


Terre Fry


Sheryl Dickinson


Bonnie Sharp


Mary Pfaff


Holly Simoni


Angela Robledo



What a list, hu? But seriously, take the time to have a browse around all those blogs - you'll be amazed.

I was delighted to receive the {merry little christmas borders & centers} to work with - they are so much fun! Teaming that with the {wood stamper 2" with bonus font} made for so many different possibilities.

** click on any of the images to enlarge them **

Card - justrite

Look at the first card I made - I used the 2" Wood Stamper and the font to create the outside message and the candles is one of the images from the Merry Little Christmas centers. I LOVE this 2" stamper - I'd go as far as to say that this is my fave from {just rite} and I own five different sets already...


Card - justrite1

Wanna see the other two cards I created? I have to admit that my colouring of the images is pretty poor, but hey I am trying...one of these days I will figure the shading out better.

Card - justrite2 Card - justrite3




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TITLE: Sophisticated Seven - AVON Make up Club
DATE: 08/16/2009 01:34:00 PM
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** This post will stay on top until club is filled **

If you fancy getting top value beauty products, fragrances and more every six weeks and some gifts on top, please see THIS post for more details on how to join

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TITLE: Sophisticated Seven - AVON Make up Club
DATE: 08/15/2009 08:29:45 PM
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As a brand new AVON Representative I am able to make you a wonderful offer. Well, at least I think it is wonderful :) and you will get some freebies out of it.

I am looking for seven peeps who would commit to spend a certain amount on AVON products every six weeks. There are three options you can sign up to: £10.00, £15.00 or £20.00 minimum order value (plus postage - but the more you spent on product the less you pay on postage). The Sophisticated Seven Club starts 1 October 2009 and you commit to place four orders (one every six weeks).

You are of course welcome to order more than your chosen minimum amount -  I will keep a track of your total order value which will determine the amount you can spend on a FREE gift of your choice from the most recent AVON brochure once your term is completed.

AVON actually releases new brochures and offers every three weeks, so if you do not wish to become part of the club you can still place orders with me whenever you like (the next order will be placed on 20 August 2009 - if you want something from the recent brochure, place your order with me no later than 19 August 2009). And the best thing is: You do NOT need to send payment with your order. Payment will be collected when I have received the products from AVON.

You know what is even better? AVON has a 90 day no questions asked money back guarantee. That's right - you can return ANYTHING you have bought from AVON (including jewelery and underwear) and will receive a full refund of the product price in cash - no vouchers or anything like that. I doubt that you will find any other make-up company who would allow that.

Interested? Then please E-mail me and let me know for which amount you would like to sign up - I will then send you an outline of all the benefits that may be applicable for your group. All club members will also receive a piece of handmade jewelery from me as a Thank You gift.

I can promise you that you will not regret signing up - the offers are mind-blowing. Want an example on how far £10.00, £15.00 or £20.00 could get you?

One of my customers just took advantage of the Buy One Get On Free promotion. She bought one 50ml pot of Solutions Ageless Results Day Creme for £10.00 and got the 50ml pot of Solutions Ageless Results Night Creme FREE! So, two pots for a tenner - considering that the recommended retail price for 20ml is £20.00 and she grabbed herself 100ml for £10.00... a saving of £90.00!!!! Well, do I need to say more??  Every three weeks there will be different offers: What a fantastic way to slowly build up your beauty products.


Here is another example to show just how much you can get for £15.00 (ish)


Total order value: £15.80
Ex-promo price value: £25.50  - a saving of £9.70


And what about if you sign up for £20.00 club membership? To tell you the truth, that is my favourite and I already put my order in for this month, wanna see what I am getting for my buck?


Total order value: £20.50
Ex-promo price value: £37.00 - a saving of £16.50


Maybe you are not really all that bothered about beauty products - well Avon also sells jewellery, fitness gear, bags, underwear, home essentials. etc. There is something for everyone. Or you may know someone who would be interested in this club, then please send them my way. If they sign up and tell me you sent them, you will receive a Thank You gift from me.

Oh and if you live in the Southampton/Isle of Wight area you can also become a member of the Sophistcated Seven. We can arrange for personal FREE delivery, which means no postage costs apply.


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TITLE: Hero Arts Challenge
DATE: 08/13/2009 08:40:27 PM
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I love {hero arts} stamps but somehow I must have been living on a different planet as I only found out by accident the other week, that they actually have a {blog} going. It has probably been going for donkeys but I was never the quickest on the uptake....Anyhoo - I loved the most recent {challenge} to use any of Shari's sketches as the base for your card. I have chosen Sketch #3, because for some reason it appealed to me the most.

Ha-sketch-3

With the F5042 - Leaf Flourish I stamped all over the background of the scalloped circle card stock and accented the leaves by dipping a little Diamond Glaze onto them. The A4942 - Tiny Owl is one of my favourites and I love colouring and hand cutting the little blighter. Here I raised it on a pop dot to make it appear that the owl is resting on the twine. A few pearls dropped strategically break up the background design.

** click on images to enlarge **

Card - Birthday Hero Arts Card - Birthday Hero Arts open

Stamps, Flower, Button: Hero Arts
Cardstock: Bazzill; Stampin' Up
Embellishments: Pearls - KatyCard; Embroidery Floss - Scrapitude

The rectangle piece of sand coloured Swiss Dots Bazzill card stock was adhered with a card stock hinge to the background to enable lifting the whole front to reveal a blank piece of card to write a personal message. I really like how this card turned out - something really different but definitely something I will try again.



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TITLE: 2S4Y - Laura's Sketch #32
DATE: 08/10/2009 01:30:00 PM
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This week we were  totally spoiled to play with the newest creations from the {cutting cafe}. Regina creates such gorgeous printable stamps and card templates that I am always spoiled for choice as to which ones to take.

I had the same problem this week - so many stamps and templates that I just had to combine a total of three :) 

So, I used the {apple shaped card} and the pencil and school days circle  from the {school days} set.

This is Laura's sketch for this week

Laura32 

And here is my card, done with the aid of Regina's files

** click on images to enlarge **

Laura #32_Kim_S Laura #32_Kim_S_open 

Cardstock: Bazzill
Embellishments: Pearls - KatyCards; Rub Ons - Making Memories
Tools: Cutlebug Embossing Folder "Swiss Dots"; Card Template & Digital Stamps - The Cutting Cafe

You simply have to take a look and see what the remaining DT gals created from Regina's files - trust me, it will make your eyes pop and mouth water...serious eye candy!


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TITLE: Ding Dong - Avon calling
DATE: 08/09/2009 12:04:51 AM
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As if I did not have enough on my plate, I have now decided to become an {avon} representative. But in all fairness, it is really not much work on top of what I have, I hand out brochures, peeps choose what they want and I deliver. Easy Peasy. And I already had my first order today :) - family rocks, right?

So, you know how AVON works? You have your Representative who delivers the make up to your door. Well, this may be a tad difficult for me living on an Island if you do not live in my close proximity but I was hoping that if some of my online buddies fancy some AVON make up (and believe me, I basically grew up with it and can vouch that this stuff is fab value for money), we can certainly make a deal. You may not have a Rep in your area, so you are very welcome to contact me. No minimum order value either.

You can either get a hardcopy of the brochure from me for a 99p charge (which I will deduct from your first order), or you can check it out yourself online {here}. The next catalogue comes out on August 27, 2009 so you better be quick checking the above link out or email me for a hard copy. There are some amazing deals out there, and my own order list is already HUGE. Orders have to be placed before August 25, 2009 for the recent brochure.

Anyway - if you are interested to buy through me, shoot me an email (direct link is on the left hand side of my blog) and we can work something out. If I have to send by Royal Mail you will only be charged actual postage. I do not wish to make money on delivery.

The offers that are on right now are amazing and I am not just saying that, I was seriously amazed when I flicked through the cataolgue and saw just HOW MANY top value make up products are on offer for £3.00....considering I usually spent £8.00 for {this} fab mascara - it is right now available for only £3.00 - guess how many I am getting of this baby? Right  -> three in one go, you never know when and offer like that pops up again.

But I ramble - if you are interested, contact me - you can order from me at any time and I will even give UK destinations FREE P&P for all orders over £19.99 throughout the months of August and September 2009.

** click on images to enlarge **
Arrows20092

Other than that - we had an eventful weekend. Cowes Week ended with the usual display from my beloved {red arrows}, we had a a few drinks, pizza and sleepless nights due to the drunken tourists roaming the streets all night...nothing new then.

Melynd070809

Hope you will all have a grand start to the week and don't forget to come back tomorrow for the recent {2s4y} sketch :)


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TITLE: SYC and a Blog Hop Announcement
DATE: 08/07/2009 01:36:00 PM
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The most recent challenge 'sup at {scrap your crap}. You wanna see what my girl {greta} did for this months' challenge of using packing materials - I m SO loving it. If you head over there you will totally see why I love her layout ;)

I love using masking tape and bubble wrap (by way of a stamping tool) to prep up my layouts. The following one is one of my all-time faves. This was my application layout for the {upsy daisy designs} DT call last October. Well, as you all know I was successful and maybe that is what this particular page holds a special place in my heart? Or maybe it is because this doodled (meanwhile discontinued) paper is my favourite ever UDD design?? Or maybe it could be that I just adore this picture of the Lyndomeister and myself...

** click on image to enlarge **

Love
Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs - Oodles of Doodles, Sweet Slumber, Modello
Cardstock: Bazzill
Embellishments: Chipboard Letters - Rico; Adhesive Rhinestones - Papermania; Dymo; Masking Tape
Tools: Stamp - Hero Arts; Bubble Wrap


Anyhoo, I ramble. Check out {syc} and play along with us. Show us what YOU do with packing materials.
And talking about becoming part of the Upsy Daisy Design Team - well, you can join me and my fellow Daisies if you check out {this} recent call. We would LOVE to have you, so get your creative juices flowing and apply NOW

I always wanted to do a Blog-Hop and I always wondered how peeps got into/onto them. That was until two days ago. {just rite stamps} have sponsored the {2s4y} DT previously and not only that, they gave a $100 prize voucher to the winner of our sketch challenge for that particular week. You can see that this company is generous with their prizes, right? So, when the asked if the 2S4Y DT Girlies would like to be part of the hop I shouted pretty loud. Guess they heard me all the way in Illinois, because I am SO going to be a hop-stop :)

Well, then you better mark your Calendars and pencil in August 17, 2009 as THE date for this month. Because we will all be hopping along the blogging world like mad. Think Christmas (yes, yes, I know but seriously folks - it is JUST around the corner, I can almost already hear the sleigh bells and taste the snow); think stunning new stamp designs and think incredibly versatile product for incredibly little buck...

Be {there} or be square - trust me, you will not be disappointed

And there is even more fun news around the corner from me - after the weekend though

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TITLE: Twisted Sketches #009
DATE: 08/06/2009 01:32:00 PM
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Can you believe it has already been two weeks since my last card for Twisted Sketches? It seems that this year is RACING by in huge steps...

Anyway, this week the twist for our sketch was to include doodles/penwork and as iIjust love to doodle on my projects, this was a prefect challenge for me.

You can see Anam's wonderful sketch {here} as well as the other creations from my fellow Twisted Sisters ;)

** click on image to enlarge **

Card - Friends #4

Cardstock: Bazzill
Embellishments: Stickers - 3Bugs; Chipboard - Rusty Pickle
Tools: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder "Swiss Dots"; Pen - Uniball Signo


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TITLE: 2S4Y - Kazan's sketch #32
DATE: 08/03/2009 01:03:00 PM
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Another week full of fun at 2 Sketches 4 You.

This week we have been generously sponsored by {may arts}. Let's face it, we all love ribbons and May Arts are certainly THE manufacturer to look to if you want top quality product.

I got to play with he {xh-33} and the {wf-33} to play with.

Here is Kazan's fab sketch


** click on any images to enlarge **

Kazan#32_sketch


And here is my card with the scrummy ribbons :)

Card - Happy Birthday 07092

Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers: American Crafts, Rose Mokka
Embellishments: Ribbons - May Arts; Pin; Stickers - Making Memories, American Crafts; Pearls - KatyCard


So, you're gonna play along with us? I hope you do as we have another AWESOME prize up for grabs {here}


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TITLE: Tattoo update & a layout
DATE: 08/02/2009 01:45:00 PM
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Two weeks ago I finally did what I wanted to do for a number of years now and get my tattoos all spruced up. I got my very first tattoo something like 26 years ago and I am pretty sure that my last one was done about 15 years ago. Needless to say that the colours faded over the years and I always thought of getting them one again.

Also, some of the colours on my arm...well, let's put it this way I have NO idea why I ever thought that orange and blue together are cool. Thinking about it, there is WAY too much blue on my arm anyway.

Long story short - right across the road from my flat is a tattoo parlor and I just went in and asked them if they'd fancy doing the colours and maybe changing some tattoos totally. The answer was yes and I have since "survived" my first session. We started with my "Blue Warrior" on the underside of my lower arm. It was quite an adventure I tell you - after 2,5 hours I had enough - the work was amazing but I was soooooooo sore.

Thanks to {dream cream} I healed within a week. No scab, no blood but quite a bit of itching...

Please note that the bits and bobs in between, where there is no colour are not quite done yet.

** click on the images to enlarge them **

Tattoo2

And just to showcase the difference between the colours from before and after, have a look here. The colours you cannot see proper are the old, faded ones. Compare that to the new and you have one happy Kimmy :). And no, I have NOT done anything to the picture - this is really the difference in colours...

Tattoo1

Cannot wait to my next appointment at the end of August!

You may have noticed recently that I am not so much into doing layouts, right? I have to say that it bugs me to no end, as I have all these ideas but I just can't get them to transfer onto the pretty paper. My usual style is just gone "phfumph" and I am not sure how to lure it back to me.

I tried focusing on the cards and now the jewelery, but to no avail. So, the other day I just tried - sat down and started on a layout. It took me three days and still looks like poop. Well, ok it is not THAT bad, but I am not too hot on it either. There is something missing, it just does not scream "that's a Kimmy layout" at me, kwim?

But anyrod, I scrapped and that's that - a start. It can only get better

LO - Birgit
Papers: American Crafts
Embellishments: Buttons - Sassafras Lass, Elsie; Tape - 7Gypsies; Stickers - American Crafts; Plastic Alpha - Heidi Swapp
Tools: Curved Ruler - Fiskars; Edge Distresser - Making Memories


I had a fantastic mail day yesterday - got my delivery for some fantastic {purple onion stamps}. Michele had a 25% sale on until the end of July and of course I had to take advantage of it. Wanna see which ones I got? No?? Well, I am gonna show you anyway...

Butterfly_Set_-_web Artic_blast_-_single_-_web Polar_Bear_Sitting_-_web

Ha, I just saw on the site that the Sale is actually going on until August 3, 2009 - so be quick and squeeze an order in. ALL stamps are 25% off.


Oh and speaking of the jewellery, don't forget {this post} to get your name in for a draw for some custom freebie from me :)

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TITLE: Upsy Daisy Designs August DT & BBtB
DATE: 08/01/2009 01:15:00 PM
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Pinch, punch first of the month - here I am with another reveal for {upsy daisy designs}. I have mixed some of the older papers and some of the new ones, as I love mixing and matching.

Of course, the focus for now is on the new releases and you have seen one of my projects a few days back as being created for one of the Cuttlebug Challenges.

** click on any of the images to enlarge them**

Project_cute

Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs #MT2-014. Nolan
Embellishments: Stamp - Upsy Daisy Designs #UDD208. Chic Bebe; Rub Ons - Upsy Daisy Designs #UDD0077. Sweet Slumber-Boy; Brads - Upsy Daisy Designs #EMB004. Man About Town
; Flowers - Prima
Tools: Cuttlebug Embossing Folders - Textile, Swiss Dots


And the following card doubles as my submission for the most recent Bitten by the Bug challenge, which you can see {here}. It uses one of my favourite cartridges, the "Going Places".
I couldn't think of a better use than an anniversary card for the potty people cut, so here it is

Card - Anniversary

Cardstock: Papermill; Bazzill
Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs - #UDD0040. Right On Track, #WP015. Majestic, #WP013. Gorgeous, #MT2-016. William
Embellishments: Rub Ons - Upsy Daisy Designs #UDD185. Baby Love; Pearls - KatyCards; Stamps - Upsy Daisy Designs
#UDD208. Chic Bebe
Tools: Spellbinders - Nestabilities; Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Swiss Dots; Cricut Cartridge - Going Places



But I am not quite finished, because here is a layout I did with some older papers, which also was part of the Layout Tag over at {noel mignon}. I love that picture of my Mom and my Auntie together.


Sisters_Kim_Sonksen

Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs -
#WP016. Splendid, #UDD0141. Steer this way
Embellishmemts: Stickers - Bella Blvd; Flowers - Hero Arts, Maya Roads
Tools: Fiskars Border Punch - Effervesence; Cuttlebug Emboss & Die - Butterfly, Embossing Folder - Branches; Cricut Cartridge - Storybook


Card - Birthday #15

Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers: Upsy Dasy Designs -
#UDD0162. Amour
Embellishments: Rub Ons - Upsy Daisy Designs
#UDD190. Sweet Celebrations; Ribbon; Button; twine
Tools: Border Punch - Fiskars