Paperpiedesign

Moving

2011-08-12T22:38:00.001+01:00

Hi
After much thought I've decided that it's too hard trying to keep two blogs going - so have decided to focus on my first (and most closest to my heart) http://www.oldriverhouse.blogspot.com/.
I will be combining all the things I would normally post on here onto there - it will just be easier to have it all in one place.
I hope you can come and join me there too.
Bye (for now), Kim

More new cards .....

2011-03-07T10:44:00.000Z

Some more new cards I've just added to my Folksy shop.

Folksy Friday - Books

2011-03-04T12:50:00.004Z

This is my first Folksy Friday selection for ages. I've gone for a book theme in honour of World Book Day yesterday.

I so wish I could knit and had the patience to make that little badger, he's so sweet.

By the way, what do you think of the blog's new-look?

Ta daaaaa ....... my very first cushion cover!

2011-02-27T20:31:00.004Z

Well, I havn't made an awful lot of progress on my to-do list, but I did finish my cushion cover, and here it is............................

Excuse the photo - it's not the best.
I really love it, and it was so easy to make.
Measuring and cutting out the patches was the hardest part (I find it very hard to cut fabric in a straight line - any tips much appreciated!).
I did an envelope back which was simple - no buttons or zips (the thought of which scare me to death!) and I just want to make more now!

Colour combination #1

2011-02-26T21:16:00.001Z

My lovely husband bought me some beautiful flowers today. The bouquet was so large I had to spilt them up between two jugs.
I took the roses and eucalyptus leaves out (not sure what the other plant is?) and put them in my favourite vintage jug, and the colours just looked so pretty together I had to take a photo. That pale lilac against the teal of the jug is just stunning I think - and has inspired me start a new series of posts on colour combinations.
So, here it is - colour combination #1

What do you think?

Stylish Blogger Award

2011-02-19T22:16:00.000Z

I was hugely chuffed to discover I have been nominated for a Stylish Blogger Award by Milliebead. Thank-you Milliebead - the gesture is much appreciated!
Check out Milliebead's lovely blog to see the other 14 nominees.

The rules of the nomination are:

1. Thank the person and include the link for the nomination (see above)

2. Share seven things about yourself.

3. Nominate 15 blogs for the award.

4. Let everyone know they have been nominated and let them have the details, should they want to spread the Stylish Blog love

So, here we go, 7 things about myself:

I have 5 brothers - I'm the eldest.
I am an Auntie to 3 nieces and 2 nephews, but there will be two more appearing in the Summer when my brother's twins are due. And I can't wait to meet them.
I can't stop listening to Eliza Doolittle at the moment - she just cheers me up everytime.
We have just started having Family Film Night every Saturday evening - where we cuddle up together and eat pizza and chocolate on the sofa. We watched Pirates of the Carribean tonight and now my youngest is insistent on being called Jack Sparrow.
I like wearing black with colourful chunky jewellery.
I love Autumn - the smells, colours and the feel in the air. I was a November baby and am sure thats why.
We have a grey house-rabbit called Dylan. He is a mini-rex, and has fur like velvet.

So, there you have it - 7 kind of random facts about me.

I am nominating the following blogs:

So Resourceful

Dilly Dally Dangle

Attic 24

Bluebell and Rosie

A flower for you

Mary Elliot jewellery

Peculiar Forest

This Crafting Life

Print for Love of Wood

Gooseberry Moon

Fox Bunting

Dearest Jackdaw

Lovely little sweetpeas

This is marzipan

Good and Happy Day

They are all lovely and stylish of course - go and see for yourself

To-do list

2011-02-18T21:27:00.000Z

I have a never-ending list in my mind of all the things I want to make, and very few of them actually get made. So, I thought I would write down my list here (a realistic version) - might help if it is in black and white.
I've got half term next week and although I've got two energetic boys to keep me busy I am determined to set aside some crafting time.
So here's my list:

Tutu for my niece's 4th birthday in March - better get a move on then!
I'm using this fab tutorial and have all the materials ready and waiting - just need to make a start.

Patchwork cushion cover for large floor cushion that desperately needs re-covering. I've just ordered this and this - never made a cushion cover before so should be interesting. And quite exciting!

A granny square blanket for the sofa - just ordered some wool for this, this will be an ongoing project I think.

A photo/collage frame for my brother and sister-in-law to be's wedding in May. Can't say more in case they read this.................

Grey linen trousers for my boys to wear to the above wedding.

I'm aiming to get two of those things done next week (tutu and cushion cover), and will keep you posted ...........................

New cards

2011-02-14T10:51:00.000Z

I've been busy making cards for my Folksy shop over the last few days and I will be adding them gradually over the next week or so.

Here's a sneak peek at two of them

Vintage Hello

The paper used for this is from October Afternoon's Schoolhouse collection - really gorgeous as usual from them, has a lovely vintagey/retro feel.

Fluttering Butterflies

I designed this card last year and it has sold well in the past at craft fairs and on Folksy, so I made some more. This time using Olivia by Basic Grey, a collection that I have been drooling over for a while.

I will be adding loads more and will also be having a blog giveaway very soon so watch this space.....................

Hello

2011-02-07T11:50:00.000Z

Well, it has been a very long time since I've been here.

There have been lots of things going on in my life since I last posted. The major event and the main reason why I have been away was due to falling pregnant in the Summer and then losing our baby in October. I was 20 weeks pregnant - and obviously it has been a very sad time for us.

I'm feeling much better and ready to be back here.
My folksy shop has suffered and is desperately empty at the moment. But that is about to change - got lots of cards and nameframes on the go ready to be uploaded, so watch this space.

I've also decided that this blog is going to take a slightly different direction as of now.
I currently have two blogs - one for family/life/general crafty bits and bobs (which has been equally neglected recently) and this one which was originally created to have a Folksy/cards element. I'm finding it quite hard to keep them both up and running, so I've decided to combine them under this blog.

So, I will be blogging about anything and everything on here from now on - kids, sewing, crochet, recipes, photography, music, books etc as well as the usual Folksy Friday posts and craft related items.

It will be a bit of a mish-mash but I'm looking forward to it.

Folksy Friday - Rain clouds

2010-07-30T13:13:00.001+01:00

Again, I must apologise for neglecting my blogs over the last few weeks. Just been ridiculously busy - but being a teacher I am lucky enough to be on holiday for six weeks now, so will definitely be checking in more frequently plus adding lots of new items to my shop.

It is raining here today - a really dreary kind of rain that makes you want to stay huddled up inside the house. I'm fed up of cloudly skies - so in protest, my theme this week is clouds.

Folksy Friday -Puppy dogs

2010-07-09T19:43:00.000+01:00

I have been a bit neglectful with my blogs over the last few weeks - been so busy with my card order (see last post), but almost finished now, so should be back to normal soon.

In honour of my mum's new puppy Teddy - here are my favorite puppy picks.

Good news

2010-06-19T19:47:00.000+01:00

I contacted the owner of this lovely shop last week to see if they might be interested in stocking some of my cards.
To cut a long story short - I popped in to see them this morning and came out with an order for 72 cards!
I'm very pleased as you can imagine and extremely chuffed that a shop with such a fab reputation for cards wants to stock mine.
It is a great shop with a real eclectic mix of gorgeous things - including lovely journals and stationary items, pens (they are very well known for their knowledge of pens and customer service), wooden toys, board games, kites, juggling equipment and of course cards, I would definitely recommend a browse if you are in the area.

Folksy Friday - Applique

2010-06-18T11:45:00.000+01:00

I've just bought some fabric to make my son an applique t-shirt for his upcoming birthday (I can't believe my baby is going to be 4!).
So, the first thing I did was look to Folksy for inspiration.
Here are some of my favourite applique items:

UK Handmade Giveaway

2010-06-12T21:54:00.000+01:00

I've just discovered the fab UK Handmade blog - havn't had a chance to fully investigate but I've heard great things about it.
They are currently running a giveaway linked to Julia Smith Ceramics - one of my favourite Folksy shops.
The items Julia makes are just beautiful - I love everything in her shop.
Here is a link to her shop and click here for the giveaway on the UK Handmade blog.

Folksy Friday - Swans

2010-06-11T10:03:00.000+01:00

We have seen swans galore over the last few days,including a swan family with 7 cygnets (so cute and fluffy!). I love living near the river - it's a real privilege, we get to see so much wildlife when walking along the towpath to and from school, including grasshoppers, ducklings, dragonflys and the occasional kingfisher (that is a real highlight).
So, in honour of our swan neighbours - I've chosen some swan inspired Folksy finds today.

New Name Frame

2010-06-02T20:23:00.001+01:00

Recently added this Name Frame to my Folksy shop - love, love, love the background paper on this one. Its Sassafrass Lass again.

For Dad

2010-05-31T19:54:00.000+01:00

Here is the second of my two new card designs - again this one sold well at the craft fair, with Father's Day fast approaching.

(Paper by October Afternoon : The Thrift Shop)

I love this October Afternoon range so much - it's so versatile.

New cards

2010-05-31T12:58:00.000+01:00

I've just uploaded two new designs to my Folksy shop.

This is my 'Fluttering butterfly' design - these were very popular at the craft fair i attended recently so I made some more (they are fun to make!) and have added them to my shop.

(Paper by Basic Grey : Nook and Pantry)

(Paper by Basic Grey : Wisteria)

(Paper by Basic Grey : Junebug)

Will be back later to share the second design.

Basic Grey

2010-05-29T08:48:00.001+01:00

I am a huge Basic Grey fan - they were one of the first designer paper brands I came across, and I still use their papers all the time.
I love the look of their new collections Oliver and Olivia - gorgeous papers.
Unfornately as they are based in the US, it takes a while for their new collections to appear over here - but I will be on the look-out.

Another recent collection (that is available here) is their Basics range - I especially like these manilla papers.
So versatile and quirky - perfect for all kinds of paper projects.

Folksy Friday - Foxes

2010-05-28T18:47:00.000+01:00

Everyone is our house is pretty much obsessed with the Fantastic Mr Fox film - we've just bought it on DVD. It really is fantastic - as you would expect!
Love Wes Anderson films anyway, but I think it's my favourite.

So, with that in mind - I've gone for a foxy theme this week. I was suprised how mnay fox related items there are on Folksy - and it was hard just picking six - but here are six of my favs.

School fair

2010-05-23T20:01:00.001+01:00

I had a stall at the Plant and Craft fair at my son's school on Saturday. It was just a small event for a couple of hours but was my first craft fair of any kind.
We had fab weather of course and it went really well. I wasn't expecting it to be a big moneyspinner but I sold almost all of the cards I took along. It was lovely to see that people like my cards (one lady bought 7!) and people were very taken with my name frames. Several people took flyers too so might lead to future sales. So all in all a successful few hours!!

Folksy Friday - T-shirts

2010-05-21T10:49:00.000+01:00

In honour of the sunshine here are some of my favourite Tees on Folksy right now:

Folksy Friday - Polka dots

2010-05-13T19:37:00.001+01:00

Okay - I know I'm being ridiculously organised and it's not officially Friday but I know I'm not going to have much free time tomorrow (have an urge to clean the kitchen and wash the curtains - very unlike me, so I have to act on it quick!!, as well as having a 3 year old bundle of energy to entertain)

I've been thinking in polka-dots recently (see previous post) so here's a selection of polka-dotty lovelies.
I am absolutlely loving those earrings - how cute are they?

Polka-dot birthday card

2010-05-10T21:10:00.000+01:00

My husband very kindly bought me a printer a few weeks ago and I finally unpacked it and set it up at the weekend.

I had a little play around today - printing sentiments onto patterned paper and I came up with this birthday card. I really like the way it came out. I'm not a big fan of stamping so tend to shy away from sentiments, but this could definitely be a feasible way of doing it.

Paper: October Afternoon (The Thrift Shop)

Just uploaded three of these to my Folksy shop although the photos have been cropped strangely and half the card is missing. Has anyone else had any problems uploading pictures to Folksy recently?

Folksy Friday - Cupcakes

2010-05-07T11:14:00.000+01:00

I was struggling to think of a theme for this week and then looked down at the scrumptious lemon muffin on my plate and thought cupcakes!!!

Is your mouth watering yet?

First sale on Folksy!

2010-05-04T20:50:00.000+01:00

Just a quickie but I had to share the news, I had my first sale on Folksy today! It was just for a card, but I am so pleased. It means that someone is willing to pay money for one of my cards instead of going to the nearest shop and buying one which I think is great!!

Pica pica

2010-05-03T11:48:00.001+01:00

I've been on the look out for an alternative craft magazine based in the UK for a while now and I've recently discovered Pica pica.
Pica is the latin name for magpie (to represent the crafter's urge to collect pretty things!) and the magazine features lots of articles. recipes and tutorials, as well as very cool artwork and design.

They have just released their first digital edition - I'm hoping there may be the possibility of purchasing a copy to download or buying a paper copy in the future. If you are interested in alternative craft in anyway it's definitely worth a look.

'Paper button' card

2010-05-02T19:32:00.000+01:00

Hi all

Hope you are enjoying your bank holiday weekend's despite the grumpy weather.

Here is the latest addition to my Folksy shop.

I rediscovered my Basic Grey 'Nook and Pantry' paper pad yesterday and decided to put it to good use - I've been so excited about the brands I have discovered recently (October Afternoon, Sassafras Lass, Cosmo Cricket) that I had almost forgotten about my Basic Grey obsession! And forgot how much I love their 6" by 6" paper pad sets - I got 'Nook and Pantry' for Christmas along with 'Junebug' and they have to be two of my favourite Basic Grey lines so far I think.

I used my Sizzix button die to cut out the buttons - how cute are they?

Folksy Friday - Lace

2010-04-27T21:32:00.000+01:00

Inspired by my lace cards, see previous post, I have gone for a lacey theme this week. I especially like the bird bowls - I think they are beautiful.
Which one is your favourite?

'Vintage Lace' Card

2010-04-26T21:18:00.000+01:00

I've had this Prima lace for a while now just waiting for the right moment to use it, and today that moment arrived.
I had major difficulties in sticking the ribbon to the card - it just wouldn't stay, but got there eventually.

I'm very happy with this card - I think it sums up my style (or the style I aspire to!). So happy I made three of them and have added to them to my Folksy shop.

My Folksy Shop is open!

2010-04-26T12:53:00.000+01:00

I've finally managed to open up my Folksy shop today - hooray!
I've only got a few items on there at the moment but will be adding to them over the next few weeks.

Also, can't get my banner to upload for some reason so will be fiddling about with that over the next few days - any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Folksy Friday

2010-04-23T12:08:00.001+01:00

This is my first Folksy Friday - going for a flower theme as so many lovely flowers about at the mo. Enjoy!

Name Frame # 2

2010-04-19T13:37:00.000+01:00

I made another one! - these will be going into my Folksy shop as soon as I set it up.

I thought I would try a boy's one this time.

The paper is Sassafrass Lass again.

Paper: Sassafrass Lass (Bungle Jungle)

Name frame

2010-04-16T17:00:00.000+01:00

I've made a few name frames for friends and family in the past and this is the direction I see my cardmaking extending into.

I like the thought of producing something that will maybe go on someone's wall - I get sad at the thought of my cards going into the recycling bin (which lets face it is probably what will happen at some point).

I've been experimenting recently and made this one yesterday - with the plan being to sell these on Folksy (personalised by request.).

I love this one - its the paper that does it for me. Sassafrass Lass are a recent discovery for me and I really like their cute retro designs.

Paper: Sassafrass Lass (Sweet Marmalade)

P.S I've just realised that the backing paper is upside down!!!

Wedding card

2010-04-13T10:39:00.000+01:00

I've been itching to have a go at some distressing for a while now and thought I would try it out when making this wedding card for some friends of my husband.

Using my new Thrift Shop paper again, I distressed the red square by scratching the edges with my scissor blade, then I crumpled it up a few times and ironed it to reflatten. It gives a subtle, 'used' affect, that I tried to echo with the embellishments.

Paper : October Afternoon {The Thrift Shop}

Inspiration

2010-04-13T10:26:00.000+01:00

Well, my Thrift Shop papers arrived a few days ago and they are as lovely as I imagined.

I found it very hard to start using them - I didn't want to spoil them!

I started with this simple card inspired by Kristina Werner.

I have only recently discovered her fantastic blog and I have learnt so much by watching her videos.

This card turned out quite plain and simple - can't seem to get excited by stamping for some reason, but I still like it.

Paper: October Afternoon {The Thrift Shop}

The Thrift Shop

2010-04-05T21:16:00.000+01:00

I love October Afternoon, and have been eagerly awaiting their two new collections.

I have ordered the 8" by 8" pad from this collection and can't wait for it to get here. How gorgeous are those papers!

My new obsession with Prima flowers

2010-04-05T10:46:00.000+01:00

Hello,
And welcome to my new blog - all about my cards, collages and other crafty bits and bobs.

I hope you enjoy reading and looking at my creations, and if I manage to inspire just one person then I will be happy!

I've recently discovered Prima flowers and have to say I'm smitten.
They are so pretty and versatile and are available in so many lovely colours - I just can't get enough of them.

Here are two cards I made recently using them.

Paper : Basic Grey {Wisteria}

Paper: October Afternoon {Cherry Hill}&{Hometown}

I am experimenting with the photography of my cards at the moment, and finding it hard to get the images I want.
Any comments and tips would be gratefully received.

x

Paperpiedesign

Moving

More new cards .....

Folksy Friday - *Books*

Ta daaaaa ....... my very first cushion cover!

Colour combination #1

Stylish Blogger Award

To-do list

New cards

Hello

Folksy Friday - *Rain clouds*

Folksy Friday -*Puppy dogs*

Good news

Folksy Friday - *Applique*

UK Handmade Giveaway

Folksy Friday - *Swans*

New Name Frame

For Dad

New cards

Basic Grey

Folksy Friday - *Foxes*

School fair

Folksy Friday - *T-shirts*

Folksy Friday - *Polka dots*

Polka-dot birthday card

Folksy Friday - *Cupcakes*

First sale on Folksy!

Pica pica

'Paper button' card

Folksy Friday - *Lace*

'Vintage Lace' Card

My Folksy Shop is open!

Folksy Friday

Name Frame # 2

Name frame

Wedding card

Inspiration

The Thrift Shop

My new obsession with Prima flowers

Folksy Friday - Books

Folksy Friday - Rain clouds

Folksy Friday -Puppy dogs

Folksy Friday - Applique

Folksy Friday - Swans

Folksy Friday - Foxes

Folksy Friday - T-shirts

Folksy Friday - Polka dots

Folksy Friday - Cupcakes

Folksy Friday - Lace