A weekend catch up...

Hope you're having a lovely weekend.
I know many friends have been to Ally Pally craft show and spent way too much! Lol
We've been catching up on all the news, its one of my favourite venues especially when the the sun shines.
Work commitments meant I was not able to attend but maybe next time...
I've been busy finishing design projects for classes and events, I don't know where the time goes...
The next retail show I'll be at will be in May at Create It, Kent, with the lovely Angela at Polly Allsorts with all things Whimsical, projects and all sorts of makings...
I'll also be sharing lots of inspiration at The Range stores for Docrafts during May and crafting with lovely ladies at the craft classes, so it will be another busy month.

Now it's all change...
I am concentrating on the launch of Minnie Muse which will also incorporate a blog and that is where everything will continue, all in one place.
Minnie Mews...the home of musing...a place to meander for a while...
Relax...enjoy creativity and feel inspired...
Minnie Muse is the culmination a life long love of crafting...
Follow the journey and history so far as it unravels over the coming weeks...
I have lots to share with you...

Thank you for following my journey so far, I look forward to seeing those who continue to follow my passion when the new site goes live...

Hugs xKx 

Make Today Amazing...

Hope you're enjoying your Easter weekend, the weather has been a real mix, a lot of rain here and in Surrey and more snow for some of you I know.
Let's hope the sun will shine for us all soon, we could all do with some warm bright days but the lighter evenings are a real treat.
We have spent some time doing necessary jobs and relaxing in between.
Today I was able to completely relax and spent some time designing projects for craft classes which was really enjoyable especially as I didn't have to rush at all.
My choice for today was bright cheery designs and later this month I look forward to sharing the cards and techniques over on the
Craft Show Crafty Bloggers blog.
As a bit of a treat I enjoyed a glass of something while I was crafting away...
I recently discovered Edinburgh Gin, Rhubarb and Ginger liquer, add a slice of lemon and make into a long drink with ginger ale, cheers!
Enjoy your evening and a shorter working week ahead...xKx

Happy Easter

May your April be filled with gladness...xx
Just popping in to wish you all a very Happy Easter, filled with happiness, peace and love...xx
Don't forget to share your crafty makes, news and chat with us all over at
The Craft Show Crafty Bloggers  and on our Facebook Page

A quick catch up and a crafty tutorial

Hope you're week is going well, and you are hopefully looking forward to a shorter week with the Easter weekend approaching...
Just popping in quickly to share the link to my recent tutorial for
The Craft Show Crafty Bloggers.
It's been a busy week so I'm taking some time out tomorrow, I've been prepping for an upcoming class and makes behind the scenes that will be revealed in April
Now time to start thinking about dinner...have a good evening...xKx

Some lovely class makes

Time for a coffee and a breather in between work projects to update with some recent class projects and makes.
Classes have been very varied and included decorating calico pencil cases/make up bags and gift bags using a variety of techniques, mixed media, stitching and stamping.
Another card making class used a resist embossing technique which I will be blogging shortly.
What a fantastic selection of makes, aren't they all fabulous, well done everyone!
We now have a designated craft area at our local community library and meeting place with a lovely tearoom where classes are held.
Saturday classes are starting in February.
For details about any of our local events or classes please don't hesitate to get in touch
craftyk@hotmail.co.uk

Warm and Cosy Love Place

It's so cold, I wanted to create a comforting, cosy looking card with a Valentine theme.
I used a piece of wood effect paper on a kraft card blank and layered with the pink embossed card.
The embossing folder I used for this is from a set of 2, Sizzix Texture Fade set "Holiday Knit"
These have been in my stash a long time I recently used them again for some of my Christmas cards.
I had a lot of interest in these cards and contact about the folders used.
The knitted look is fab and needn't just be for Christmas.

I the die cut the red and pink felt hearts and used 

Polly Allsorts Whimsical Street Sign stamp set to create the 

Love Place sign, adding wire and foam pads to mount on to the hearts.

The wood effect paper for the sign board was mounted on to a piece of card for strength and stamped with Versafine Clair Fallen Leaves ink, Love Place is stamped in the Pincone colour.

Once cut out, red wire was formed to shape and attached through holes made with a pokey tool.

Red ribbon has been threaded through a length of rustic ribbon and a bow tied to finish.

Polly Allsorts Whimsical products can be purchased here

I'm working from home today so I think a warming hot chocolate will be on the menu for this afternoon, keeping snug and warm.
If you have the awful flu that's is prevalent I hope you soon feel better and can avoid it if you haven't had it already.
Crafty Hugs xKx

A Whimsical World

New Year, New Home...

Today I have a Whimsical make to share, a mixed media card using stamps and stencils from Angela, designer, creator and owner of
Polly Allsorts

A new home card called The Mouse Box
I've used fussy cutting for this and incorporated my love of creating miniature scenes and displays.

Using the individual stamps from the A5 Street Signs stamp set, 22 individual stamps on a red rubber sheet.

I stamped the Ivy leaf and branch with Versafine Clair inks and sponge coloured with distress oxides, I also heat embossed some of the leaves for variation and used second and third generation stamping.
These elements were stamped and fussy cut to create the branches and leaf layout.

 The main coloured background was created blending distress oxides and adding water for the bleaching effect, this formed the main centre square and was mounted on to a Kraft card blank.
The Mouse Box was stamped onto the main street sign board using a stamp press tool to align.

I added hessian and string along the top of the card along with the ladybird and butterfly embellishments and layered punched hearts.
The New Home wording was stamped from the set.

Using the 6 x 6 Whimsical texture stencil I created a cobbled path, I love the fine detail it shows when used with texture paste. The mini toadstools are created using the same stencil and coloured with distress oxides. I've also used flower soft in green for a mossy/grass effect and for flower blossom on the side panel along with some flower stamens.

Corrugated card sits behind the branches either side.
I cut the triangle mouse from felt and added string for the tail.
A perfect new home for this cute little chap.

Angela and her creations feature in the current edition of
Making Cards Magazine and her Whimsical houses, stamps and stencils can be purchased here at her Etsy store.
New designs and creations are on the way...

Thanks for reading today, crafty hugs xKx

Doesn't get better than this

A quick update from me this afternoon as I have a busy weekend ahead demoing and have to keep up with Wimbledon and the young Blackbird fledgling in our garden who's parents are working so hard to keep it safe.
We treated them to mealworms yesterday once we realised the youngster was around, haven't seen any others as yet but they may well be better tucked away elsewhere in the garden.
We had a lovely class on Tues at TMP practising some watercolour/stamping techniques.
As always we had lovely refreshments from the cafe and delicious cake baked by Toby while we caught up on the gossip and crafted away.
More of the same planned for next week.
I am lucky enough to pass the views of a wonderful local Lavender farm en route to TMP, pretty much perfect, stunning views, crafting and socialising, what more can you ask for...
At the demo's this weekend I'll be ultra organised with my mini X-cut die storage folder from Docrafts with magnetic sheets for each pocket.
I love it and can keep reference for each for customers die and spare die cuts in each pocket too.
Must crack on, lots to do so I'll leave you with pics of the ladies wonderful watercolour work, the Lavender farm, my die storage folder and the young blackbird fledgling.
Crafty hugs xKx

Then and Now...

So today I am going to rewind 13 years when Crafting at Ally Pally was first held at its present venue and I first started going with Paul.
Paul has always embraced my hobby which eventually turned into my career, little did we know that would happen at the time.
The show at Ally Pally has completely changed since then too and I rarely get chance to visit these days due to work commitments.
That feels very strange the thing that spurred me on even more in crafting not being so accessible with work in the industry taking me elsewhere.
Anyhow at the early shows I attended it use to be jammed packed full of such variety.
I watched a demo using Art Impressions watercolour, wood mounted stamps and was completely wowed by the technique and results.
I've always had a passion for watercolour but never really tried to master it.
My dad although he never took up any craft as a hobby was just fantastic at understanding the techniques involved and explaining the basics and skills involved, so I always remember the things he taught me.
I purchased a few of the stamps and really loved using them with the techniques I'd been shown.
Recently I've been moving craft stuff around, I know we all have so much but when it's your job too, oh my word it just expands before your eyes. Stock, class materials, personal stash, the list goes on!...
I rarely dispense of any of my stamps because I feel they always come back into fashion!
I bought them for a reason and that usually ends up being the reason I go to use them again in the future.
I didn't buy too many of the Art Impression stamps but I discovered them recently all in fantastic condition, packed away in a box labelled as such and it was like Christmas when I opened them and the memories of the early days of using them and crafting at Ally Pally came flooding back.
I've been running classes at The Meeting Place for over 2 years now.
TMP serves as a Community Interest Company set up to provide a friendly, relaxed meeting place for residents and visitors of the local area in the form of a coffee shop within the library.
During that time I've met lovely new crafters who have become really good friends and we thoroughly enjoy these crafting session together, they provide a much needed few hours away from daily "life" we chat, drink coffee and indulge in wonderful cakes baked by Toby, a young local resident who's a highly talented baker.
I know these ladies pretty well now and on "discovering" the
Art Impression stamps again I knew they would make a great subject for these crafty sessions so I've been rediscovering them for myself.
It's so relaxing to do and I really love using them, I've added some different techniques and with my own take on these I have finished a couple of samples.
Have you got any of these stamps buried away or maybe it's a technique you like using...
Looking forward to these classes very much.
Love and crafty Hugs xKx

Tea treat gift cards

A quick blog catch up, lots going on here behind the scenes but today I head off with my daughter to Wembley to see Adele in concert.
Yes it's finally here and we are so excited, rain or not!
We had a lovely time yesterday at The Meeting Place tea room and library making tea treat cards.
Variations filled with envelopes for teabags and or the addition of a bookmark.
Such lovely gifts were made for those who love a cuppa and a relaxing treat, just perfect and really pretty work created.
I'm sure many of you will be inspired to create your own versions,  they've been very well received.
Looking forward to the next classes before we have a bit of a summer break during holidays, demo work and planning for events coming up.
Love and crafty hugs xKx

(stamps used, mainly from Crafty Individuals)


A glimpse of some of the wonderful makes...

The gift of friendship, dream catcher

I spent last weekend in Coventry with two best buddies at the 
One Big Show.
We started our journey with AFCIUK back last year where we first met, each of us with different goals and aspirations and bought together at one event. We chatted in the day and at the evening networking event we gelled together and firm friendships were made.
I never though that a year on I would have the opportunity of displaying my work at such an event.
A selection of pieces from my last 3 - 4 years of workshop project samples and some demonstration pieces were on display.
A big thank you to everyone who stopped to chat and look at my work, for all the wonderful feedback and the further opportunities that have presented themselves as a result. 
Joint forces and friendships within the organisation provide support, help and encouragement to develop businesses and help independents reach goals and aspirations.
The resources and advice available at the show from experts in the industry is invaluable and I felt so privileged to be part of it.
We not only met up with friends we made last year and followed up on how we had all progressed and 
achieved goals but, we welcomed newcomers who will now be doing the same.
One amazing highlight for me was meeting Stacey Caron, owner of Stacey Caron Designs co-founder and president of Spellbinders Creative Arts, and and her husband Jeff.
Stacey was a Keynote speaker and spoke very openly about her craft journey as well as giving hints and tips.
They were both lovely and very generous and giving of their time, tips and advice, Stacey had also organised a beautiful make and take which sums it all up, friendship and dreams.
Every time I look at this hanging up in my house I will remember the happy time spent with friends old and new and doing what we all love together, enjoying our craft.
Just look at what this wonderful gift and kit created, I love it!

A blast from the past! 

I had one of these when they first came out and still have it!

Never thought one day I'd meet the creator and be doing what I'm doing today.

Reach your goals, take a series of tiny steps...

A big thank you to everyone else involved and especially my two best buddies along with Craig and Sarah who are both so giving of their time and the fantastic opportunities that Craig has presented to us like going to Creativworld, Frankfurt.

Love and crafty hugs xKx 

A quick catch up

Hope you're enjoying the wonderful weather we are having at the moment, it looks all set to be a fantastic weekend too.
A quick round up of a few recent makes, firstly a peek at a craft class where it gave the ladies a chance to experiment and have a play with distress oxides.
Then we decorated some bags and made some cards, we did get messy but hey, it was great fun and delicious cake as always and a great catch up too.
Here's a glimpse of what was going on

Next there's another sample I did at one of my last Docrafts demo's, it uses the new mini Peacock feather and Folk bird dies along with the new Floral Alphabet dies and script die sets.
I really love these mini dies, they are so useful and versatile and now in the next kit we have the storage folder and sleeves that's absolutely ideal for keeping them all safe.

My next lot of kit has arrived and is awaiting my attention when I return from a weekend away this weekend. I will be working on this for my July demo's...

I've been busy prepping and packing for One Big Show AT Ricoh arena this weekend.

Last year I met some wonderful people who have become amazing friends and together we made excellent networking contacts so there's lots of exciting things happening. 

We got the opportunity to visit Frankfurt with them earlier this year too which has led to great opportunities.

So I have the fantastic opportunity to showcase my work this weekend at the event and I'm all packed and ready to go as we are also helping set up tomorrow before the show starts on Sun and Mon.

Can't wait to see everyone and have a great weekend.

Well I must dash and get myself ready.

Hope you have a lovely weekend 

Love and crafty hugs xKx

June demonstration samples for Docrafts

A roundup of my samples so far using the new release products from Docrafts
using new X-Cut dies, Metallic Capsule Elements and Santoro Gorjuss stamp sets
More to follow at the next demo.
Thank you for visiting
Crafty Hugs xKx

Please feel free to ask any questions -