Friends of Quixotic Paperie: Pops' Fab Elisabeth Bell & Victoria Case Cards!

Today I'd like to share some fantastic recent creations by a lovely Friend of Quixotic Paperie - Pops! Pops is always creating fantastic cards, and her blog is filled with inspiration.  She does particularly lovely things with Elisabeth Bell and Victoria Case images!

* Victoria Case for SCACD - A Puppy Is Love *

* Elisabeth Bell for SCACD - Bunnie *

* Elisabeth Bell for SCACD - Flowers for Mom *

* Belles 'n Whistles - A Child's Prayer (Elisabeth Bell) *

Gorgeous, aren't they?  Make sure you pop by Pops' blog - Poppet's Place - and leave her some love!

Copic Colouring Video: Skintones #1

After lots of procrastination, I'd like to share my very first Copic colouring video with you all!

This first video will show you how I colour skintones.  Please note – I am not Copic certified, all colouring techniques have been self-taught through watching videos, checking out step by step tutorials and experimenting on my own. This video shows the way I colour – nothing more! I hope it will help some of you experimenting with your own style and techniques!

You will note that there is no sound! I shot this video before Christmas just after buying a new video camera, and I wasn’t quite feeling brave enough to add my ramblings to the mix. I have provided the Copic markers used at each step, and the video is available in HD so you can hopefully get a good look at my colouring style.

The completed image was used on this card – Thanks Bunches!

You can find the Mo Manning Kissy rubber stamp from Stamping Bella here in the UK at Quixotic Paperie!

Cardstock used is Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth.

If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask away in the comments section here and I will do my best to answer them!  I hope you enjoy the video and find it useful - if you do, I'd love to hear from you.

Birthday Fairy Lee

Wahey Saturday again! Got a little Mo Manning sweety for you today, she is Birthday Fairy Lee, so sweet, as sweet as the cake she is carrying!

Yummy, Yummy! I want cake now!

I've added lots of sparkle with Viva Decor Glitter liner Holo-iridescent and a icing sugar cake topping to the cupcake with Viva Decor Pear pen Salmon.

The papers are from the yummy Echo Park Life Is Good collection.

So do you want cake now too?

Tee Hee!

Have a great weekend

Kim

Quixotic Paperie - Cameo Rose

Morning folks!

Is is too much to think that spring might have arrived?? It is truly gorgeous here today. I might even cast my jacket aside to stroll in the morning sunshine without it! 

I would love to share with you a gorgeous new stamp from SCACD illustrated by Elisabeth Bell. This beauty is called'Cameo Rose' and is available, as always at Quixotic Paperie.

I have coloured this image with prisma pencils. The papers are also lovely scrummy new ones available at Quixotic Paperie by Prima called 'Moulin Rouge'. I hunted around my stash as I knew I had  mini cameo lying somewhere. I was happy to find it and stamped the sentiment to go inside the centre of it.

Thanks for your visit today. 

Judy x

Hints and tips for the Sew Easy Tool

It's Thursday which means it's Mary J here with my creation using all those lovely goodies at Quixotic Paperie.  Today I am going to give you my hints and tips for getting the most out of the Sew Easy Tool.  There are a few videos out there demonstrating the tool (see the CHA WRMK demo here) but I'm going to give you my experience of it and some practical tips on how to get the most out of it.  I have had my Sew Easy Tool now for a few months and I must say - I love it!  And why is that you ask?

1. I don't have to get my sewing machine out (which is broken anyway!)

2. It saves me a lot of time from piercing the holes plus I am not very good at piercing holes in a straight or even line!

3. Lots of variety - each piercing head (there are 7 and more to come!) has at least 3 different styles of stitching so this takes out the brain work of where to make your holes. Plus it has encouraged me to try new styles rather than do my usual straight lines of back stitching!

So this is the card I made for my Quixotic Paperie post today where I've used the tool... 

 

I have used Miss Anya from The Greeting Farm's I Heart Sweaters stamp set with the ever versatile Memory Box Pixie paper pack.  This reminds me of our Springs in the UK - fresh but it can still be little chilly! 

So first some basics for getting the most of your Sew Easy Tool...

• Paper / cardstock.  The guidance states to use "paper or light card". The tool is made of plastic (hence it's great price!) so it will struggle to pierce through thicker cardstock.  However, with practice (and patience!) I have managed to easily use the the tool with Bazzill Basics cardstock by using a firm and steady technique which I describe below. 
• Piercing mat. Not any mat will do!  You need to have a firm yet soft base like foam for the tool to pierce the holes through easily. If you don't, then the holes won't pierce through or, if the mat is too hard, the paper may also crumple up because it pushes the paper along rather than having the "give" for the tool to be pushed along. The Sew Easy Piercing Mat is obviously ideal but I have also tried it with a soft mouse mat and it worked well with this too.

Okay, so let's use it!  If you watch the CHA WRMK video you will that the lady does it pretty fast and with a flourish! Well I tried her style when I first got my tool and the paper just crumpled up and no holes were pierced!  I now have two techniques to overcome this.

1. Keep the edge of the head you are using parallel to the paper with your finger pressing directly down, as shown in the picture below. If it's not parallel, the pressure will not be even and the edge of the head will either crumple or cut the paper (or both!).

2. If you are using a thicker card, push the tool along steadily and firmly.  Even though I've used the tool several times now, it won't pierce the holes if I go too fast, but it will still make the indentations so you can at least use a pokey tool to pierce the holes.

3. When pushing the tool down, I find it best to push downwards from the elbow rather than just my finger - I find this doesn't put undue pressure on the paper/cardstock and minimises the paper/cardstock from crumpling/shifting.

4. Before you start to push the tool along, position the tool where you want to begin, then with your finger on top of the head where the finger guide is, push firmly down into the paper/cardstock so it makes its first pierce.  From then, steadily and firmly push the tool along, keeping it aligned. When the cardstock is thicker, I find that some holes aren't always made - I don't worry about this and keep on until I get to the end.  To finish off, I use my pokey tool to make any missing holes. 

Then lastly, but not least, I then do my stitching using my needle and floss.  I usually do this while watching something on the TV - I like to multi task!  Here it is all stitched up before I put the card elements together...

Okay, that's it from me - thanks for your patience and I hope you found this useful!  If you have any of your own techniques or useful tips, please share in the comments to this post!

Great Things Will Happen!

Hello, it's Kim here...  hope you had a fun week so far! I wanted to stop by with a card I made using some fabulous goodies found in Quixotic Paperie shop.

I bought the stunning My Mind's Eye - 6x6 Paper Pad - Stella & Rose - Mabel because I loved the gorgeous patterns and the fabulous colours! But for a change I thought I would stamp the edges of the paper with Stempelglede - Grunge Collection.

  

When I saw this adorable set The Greeting Farm - Oliver & Amelia - Little Dreamer I just knew I wanted to create a starry scene. Oliver has been coloured using copics and the airbrush system. The sentiment and Star is from the same set too.

 

STEMPELGLEDE RESTOCKS

ECHO PARK FOR THE RECORD & SPRINGTIME

*NEW* MO MANNING STAMPAVIE RELEASE

MEMORY BOX BRIOCHE & MINUET 6x6

DIVINE TWINE - 10M BUNDLES

KRAFTIN' KIMMIE - 50s RELEASE IN STOCK!

NEW WHIMSY STAMPS IN STOCK!

*NEW* MY MIND'S EYE 6x6 PADS

*NEW* ELISABETH BELL FOR SCACD STAMPS

*NEW CARMEN MEDLIN FOR SCACD STAMPS

*NEW* VICTORIA CASE FOR SCACD STAMP

PAPER MAKEUP STAMPS - JAN/FEB RELEASE

That's it from me today, have a lovely creative day and see you again next week!

BiG HuGs Kim :)

Customer Spotlight: Lynn's Kraftin' Kimmie Cards!

Today I'd like to put the spotlight on one of my lovely customers - Lynn Cooper.  Lynn has a fab blog where she posts all manner of crafty delights, including cards featuring Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps images.

Here are a few of my favourites!

* Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - Florence *

* Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - Jayne *

* Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - Sir Galahad *

* Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - Nerissa *

Fantastic, aren't they?  I hope you'll pay Lynn a visit and leave her some well deserved comments!

Thank you for allowing me to share your work Lynn! 

*** If you would like to see your work displayed here on the Quixotic Inspirations blog, please email Elaine at the address in the sidebar!  If you have a blog be sure to send the link, but all customers are welcome to submit, blog or no blog! ***

Friends of Quixotic Paperie: Jane Johnson's Lovely Carmen Medlin Cards!

Wonderful Friend of Quixotic Paperie - Jane Johnson - has been blogging some beautiful cards featuring some of the latest images from artist Carmen Medlin.

Carmen Medlin illustrates for SCACD Stamps, and has so far produced some truly beautiful images, perfect for a variety of occasions and recipients. 

* Carmen Medlin for SCACD - Lilia Fairy *

* Carmen Medlin for SCACD - I Want To Play *

* Carmen Medlin for SCACD - Cupcake and Kittens *

You can view Jane's cards over on her blog - Jane's Lovely Cards - and if you haven't already, do pop over and leave her some love!

Elaine's Weekly Round-Up!

It's that time of the week again!  I'm here with a round-up of my cards from the past week or so. 

* Carmen Medlin for SCACD - Fresh Picked *

* Papers: My Mind's Eye - Gertie *

 

* Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - Krafty Quotes Set #1 *

* Papers: My Mind's Eye - Gertie *

* Carmen Medlin for SCACD - I Want To Play *

* Papers: Memory Box Brioche *

Hope the weekend has been a good one - enjoy the rest of Sunday!

Moving In Big Circles

I have a retro abstract creation for you today and what better way to go retro than with the fabulous Basic Grey Offbeat paper available over at Quixotic Paperie. 

Matched with Kraft paper - you guys know how much I love my Kraft and corrugated card LOL! Don't forget that Elaine now stocks Bazzill Kraft card.

I also did some hand-stitching which is made super easy with the Sew Easy Tool. You can even use the tool on circles. 

I used a circle Spellbinder nestibitlies as my template and drew my stitch line on the back of the paper. 

Then I lined up the piercing spike on the straight stitch head of the Sew Easy tool with the drawn line.

Using the markings on the head keeping it in line with the drawn line allows you to pierce holes in a circle. 

Just keep an eye on the last couple of holes if your circle isn't the perfect size you might have to make your own last hole to get the spacing right!

Have you tried the new Baker's Twine with your Sew Easy? 

Have a lovely Saturday.

Kim

Kim's In Awe _- SCACD

Good morning! I have a card to share with you today showing you one of the new Elisabeth Bell releases for SCACD, available at Quixotic Paperie.

This lovely spring-time image is called 'Kim's in Awe'. She is coloured entirely with copics with a little bit of prisma pencil for the grass.

The gorgeous papers I have used are the new MME 'Stella and Rose' Mabel  6 x 6 pad. These colours are so fresh and happy unlike the grey dreich weather we are having here. The flowers are prima e-line and the sentiment is from Waltzing Mouse.

If you are looking for some new crafting goodies this weekend, don't forget to check out the New Products section at Quixotic Paperie. Some of my favourites are the Echo Park papers and the brand new Mo Manning stamp release!

Latest Arrivals!

Just a quick post to let you know about the latest arrivals at Quixotic Paperie!

Two stunning new 6x6 paper packs from Memory Box (a personal favourite) - Brioche and Minuet. 

The latest Stampavie release from Mo Manning.  LOVE the images they have released, pure Mo brilliance!

PLUS two new 12x12 collection kits from the amazing Echo Park - For The Record and Springtime.  GORGEOUS!

The latest Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps are due to arrive tomorrow.  I have a limited number left on preorder, so if you want them ASAP make sure you get your order in!

As always, you can check out the latest arrivals under New Products at http://www.quixoticpaperie.co.uk/

Welcome little one

Hello everyone, I hope you are all having a lovely week!  Mary J here with a baby boy card using some yummy stock from Quixotic Paperie.  I just had to use Jelly Bean from Whimsy Stamps - isn't he the cutest?!

I matched him up with the Alphabet Soup Boy paper collection by My Minds Eye.  I love this versatile pack - I've used it now for men's cards, teenage cards, sassy girl cards and now this baby card!  The only bad thing about it is I'm running out of it, lol!!

I used my trusty Bazzill kraft cardstock for the card base and finished it off with some Fancy Pants buttons (which are 50% off at the moment - what a bargain!).

That's it from me today so see you next week and I hope you get some time for some creating today!

'Mwah' ~ with Love

Hello, It's Kim here...  hope you had a fun week so far and a beautiful Valentine's! I wanted to stop by with an easel card I made using some new additions found in Quixotic Paperie

I bought the stunning My Mind's Eye - 6x6 Paper Pad - Stella & Rose - Mabel because I loved the woodgrain pattern and the fabulous colours are the inspiration for the colours I used to for  the pretty Miss Anya from The Greeting Farm - Miss Anya Hats Off - Stamp Set. I used the sentiment from The Greeting Farm - Oliver & Amelia - Just For You Set.

Hope it inspires and if you notice Elaine is now stocking some gorgeous DIVINE TWINE in 10M BUNDLES yum yum. plus, pop by for the...

 

DIVINE TWINE - 10M BUNDLES

KRAFTIN' KIMMIE - 50s RELEASE PREORDER

NEW WHIMSY STAMPS IN STOCK!

*NEW* MY MIND'S EYE 6x6 PADS

*NEW* ELISABETH BELL FOR SCACD STAMPS

*NEW CARMEN MEDLIN FOR SCACD STAMPS

*NEW* VICTORIA CASE FOR SCACD STAMP

PAPER MAKEUP STAMPS - JAN/FEB RELEASE

That's it from me today, have a lovely creative day and see you again next week!

BiG HuGs Kim :)

A Change of A Dress...

Hello everyone, Rowena here! Popped in to show you some very fun note cards I've made with my recent Paper Make-up stamps purchase!

I thought it would be fun to make some 'change of a dress cards'-they're made with the New Retail Therapy Set. All the stamps in there are such a good size too-you could happily make the images feature images on cards:)

I've paper pieced the dress with the yummy Prima Annalee paper pad. Perfect combo me thinks:)

Well that's it from me-be back next week-don't forget to pop into Quixotic Paperie and check out all the gorgeous new stock Elaine keeps tempting us all with! Rowena xxx

Nifty Fifties Release from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!

The latest release from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is now available on preorder at Quixotic Paperie!

You won't have long to wait for these fantastic new stamps - the delivery is due during the week beginning 14th February 2011!

Order between now and Tuesday 15th February to enjoy our Valentine's Day offer of free P&P on all orders over £45!

Here are my cards from this week using the new stamps!  I had a LOT of fun with these!

Have a fantastic Sunday!