Welcome .....  Well here it is .... the Clock change weekend  in the U.K . The last weekend on October .
WE gain an extra hour of rest ... but in a couple of weeks time darkness starts to draw in late afternoon.

Personally I suffer a little with S.A.D.  Like everyone I miss the hours of light and all that comes with it .

I plan , each year , to keep busy in the evenings .  At this time I tend to turn to bead work.

I have done Bead work for many years .  Happily learning about new techniques , new styles
and most interesting of all new beads from shape to what they fit best with , technique wise.

Bead channels on You-Tube are quite prolific . Some better than others . They all have one thing in common  their love of design colours and beads .  Putting them all together to make some really beautiful costume Jewellery. Ideal as gifts for all.   There is so much to learn .

No Craft style or technique is ever as simple as it looks ... many of them cross over .... from one craft to another . They integrate and offer new concepts as they change .  The wonder of learning !   It is never too late to learn .

Adding bead work to my CRAFT PORTFOLIO .... we all have one ...(  and it looks good in print .) .lol.  Was as natural as walking from A to B for me .  You never know what you can do

until you try... Cliche I know  but a truer word was never spoken .

Take advantage of the long evenings .... as long as you have good light  everything is possible ..add a new arrow to craft bow !

Happy Crafting . Stay well and warm . xx

Beaded projects  inspired by Jill Wiseman.

St Nicks Patterns and Plains.. from Graphic 45. 

Purchase these papers from  WWW. Handyhippo.co.uk

Hello, :)

These three cards were made from items supplied from Handy Hippo crafts .  
The Graphic 45 Patterns and plains  are a delight to work with . This years Christmas theme .

It was a pleasure to woks with these papers . The quality is unmistakable.   The colour used is rich deep and covers both sides of the 12x12 sheets .   This pad is extremely versatile .. there are sheets that could be used for many different occasions   

 I have long enjoyed paper crafts . It is very satisfying finishing a card with someone particular in mind .  It doesn't have to be "all singing and dancing" ..Sometimes Less really is more .

When making for a particular someone ... it is good to have some basic knowledge about them . Favourite colour, the occasion you are making for , the shape of the card you intend to make . This information is the very foundation of the card .  From the moment these things are in mind , making up the card becomes a personalised gift.  Whether to deliver by hand or send through the post also impacts greatly on what the design of the card consists  of .   There are no hard and fast rules .  Each card is unique , conceived and built by you. Enjoying the whole process is translated in the final look of the card .  There aren't many people who do not appreciate a hand made creation.  Enjoy your work,   have fun and be proud of each project.

Happy Crafting .

Kay xx

This is the full bauble. 

The Pattern I used , I purchased at GJBeads .
St. Erth . Cornwall. U.K .

A closer look at the Beautiful beaded fringe.




Happy Thuursday  everyone ... another weekend is looming fast !


This is a beaded project which I featured on my You-tube channel recently .   Made up of Delica beads , round seeds bicone and tear drop crystals.  Using a unique pattern designed by Jill Thomas .  The owner of the bead shop. Gj Beads.



This pattern is recommended for advanced beaders .  There is a whole lot of work involved in making this bauble . Which is held together by stitch work. The centre of the bauble is hollow. It is made up from the centre .  Each subsequent round is added by decreasing and working different colour ways and design.   It amounts to approximate 50 hours of work.    The finished item is worth every second spent on it .   A great project for the long winter nights .

I absolutely adore this "Fine" work.   Every single bead is stitched into place . Hence the need to use DELICA  beads . They are precision cut  exact in size and nestle together as though meant for each other .  Treasure beads , Toho and Myuki beads are names associated  with Delica beads .
Round seeds are lower priced than the Delica. The size consistancy is not as good .... they are rounded  so don't offer the same uniform finish .... but they are used in many more less demanding designs .

Beading is a great pass time.  There is always something beautiful at the end of the project .  I have learnt much on
this craft journey and met some very lovely people on the way .  Its never too late to learn a new trick or three !!!


Happy Crafting everyone .
Kay xx

http://tsunamirosedesigns.blogspot.com/

Tsunami Rose   Designs Add caption

 It was a joy working with  this lovely Kit .

This Junk Journal was made up using plain Craft coloured card









The pictures above are snippets from my first "Full " sized Junk Journal.  Only one signature which I sewed down through the middle three times with my sewing machine.   This was done after I had placed all my main pages and Doiley's where I wanted them. I then used a lace trim to hide the formation of the spine  .

I had been wanting to make  Junk Journal for some time .   Having been greatly  inspired by Zebytygl, , Tattered Rose,  Yvonne Preston  and of Course Tsunami Rose ..Also known as Daisy Collins A Designer  of many Digi kits and ephemera in her own right   Go visit her store   http://www.etsy.com/shop/TsunamiRose ... its great . The selection available to purchase is outstanding .  and her blog spot http://tsunamirosedesigns.blogspot.com/  For huge inspiration.

I am very pleased with how this Junk Journal  turned out . The kit made it super easy to make up. Everything is beautifully co-ordinated . It prints out very well... if you would like to see the Journal in greater detail , then please click the You-tube link above which will take you directly to my channel.

I hope this blog has , in some way , whet your apetite for Junk Journaling . It is a great way to craft and make lovely gifts for friends and family .

Happy Crafting .

Kay x

Hi Everyone.....

Sorry for the lack of posts ...... things have been a little busy in my world .....not complaining you understand ...life is just like that some times ...as we all know .

Above are some simple but elegant  cards that I made using a Design Team package from  HANDY HIPPO.   I have done design team work for a good while now . There is no financial reward .... just the pleasure of promoting goods sold by Handy Hippo. The "GO TO" craft shop in my mind.
They have an amazing  selection of craft goods from many of the Top ranking companies .. at great prices .
Postage is good, special  offers come up very very regularly, fast and speedy turn around on orders which cant be bad All the Crafter's I know love a bargain, so do check it out ! . :)

The cards above are "Occasion cards" .  Everyone needs a little stash of cards like this  for last minute events that perhaps have been put on the to do list and then over looked. Or indeed forthcoming celebrations of family and friends .   I must confess to being a bit of a last minute wonder more often than not these days .

Working on the "Less is More " principle and indeed letting  Design papers speak out and do their work the cards are quite minimal.... I adore Graphic 45  which is what the colourful papers are . From "St. Nick "..this years Christmas pad ....a must have.   I very often use mirror board when card making . Not only does it make paper and embellishments pop it also adds a touch of Luxury to the over all look of the finished card.

Matting and layering a technique whereby, card or papers are layered with a small border between each layer is a great way to make cards look interesting and of great quality .  The border is usually 1/8th of an inch wide ... but obviously it is down to individual choice and materials used .

There are no "HARD and FAST " rules in card making .  No right or wrong .... individual perception is everything .  A well thought out card  is a winner every time .  In my opinion ....as long as you love what you are doing...... it shows in your work and is appreciated .

As always the link to my You-tube channel is in the top right corner ... seeing the cards in more detail is available there .

Happy Crafting .

Kay xx

kayz Crafty Hangout: Happy Wednesday !Another posting of recent ...

kayz Crafty Hangout:




Happy Wednesday !

Another posting of recent ...: Happy Wednesday ! Another posting of recent work . Using the Tsunami Rose  " Christmas List "  digital kit, purch...

Happy Wednesday !

Another posting of recent work . Using the Tsunami Rose  " Christmas List "  digital kit, purchased  from

Etsy .

The first image is of a Christmas themed bag . The papers are ideal for this kind of project . Lots of

ephemera ... and multiple images on the papers which  can be fussy cut out . I am an avid fan of fussy cutting .
The first cards I made were made using 3D decoupage sheets .  Before the were PRE-CUT . Cutting out all

the images is very relaxing I found . I used curved and pointed manicure scissors prior to decoupage scissors

evolving .  I am showing my age here ...I really have been  paper crafting for quite a while .  It never gets

boring .

I do try to keep up with the times ... hence finding Tsunami Rose whilst searching  " Digi Kits " on Etsy .

This  is a whole new  arena to play in.  There are many designers .  I have purchased  from two or three . I

am by no means an expert . However I do know what I like . Quality , colour and value for money figure

into my requirement . I am delighted to say Tsunami Rose fits all.. To those who know me ., you will know I

advocate quality . I only recommend, what I have tried and tested myself . ( Hence my D/T work for

WWW. Handyhippo.co.uk . I also do some design team work for Scrimpingmommy at

Scrimpy'slace closet. )

There are of course many avenues to follow at an individual level. I firmly believe ... use quality affordable

items  for a quality inspired end poject.

Sorry a little soap box rhetoric  there ....

I hope you find the pictures inspiring . As always there is a video to back up the photographs .... just click on

the link top right of the page .

Happy Crafting . !

Kay xx