Sympathy Calla LIlies

Good morning. Gosh it is so cold!  Makes you want to just stay indoors and keep warm.

This is one of those cards that you don't want to make and now I have three to make.  My brother in law died a couple of days ago.  It is so difficult for my two nephews because they only lost their mum, my beloved sister Jeanie, last year. What a lot for them to go through in such a short time.

This morning I heard that one of my WI friends lost her husband yesterday so that will be my third card to make.

My Card

 

Recipe

6" square base card - Rymans

Papers - Coosty Creations digi papers 

Sentiment die -Mini Sentiments  Creative Expressions

Edge punch - Fiskars

 

showing inside of card.

These papers are old stash but really lovely.  I used a couple of different ones to cover the front and then covered the inside too.  I digitally changed the size of the paper to form a topper and printed it onto card stock. I haven't used my edge punches for so long because we seem to automatically turn to dies these days.  However, I think I might be using them more now I have re-discovered them. A few pearls finished it and it was ready to give to my post man, who is good enough to collect my stamped mail for me.

I will show the others at a later stage.

Take care.

WInter Wonderland

Good morning.  This card is a day late I'm afraid.  What makes it worse is that I was the one who chose the theme! Unfortunately we had a family bereavement so I was unable toget it sorted until late yesterday afternoon.

My Card

 

Recipe

7" square base card - Anna Marie Designs

burgundy peralescent card - Crafters Companion

white card - Rymans 

Stamp - Petulama (Ancient stash!!)

Frosty Snowflake Corner die - Creative Expressions

Let It Snow die - Creative Expressions

Large trees - Memory Box

Smaller trees - Marianne Designs

Smaller snowflake die  - Hobbycraft

lashings of glitter

I stamped the image in black then used Pearl Plum embossing powder.  In real life it looks great because when the light catches it there is a lovely glimmer of the plum but in the picture it just looks black.  This is one of the very first stamps I bought - more years ago than I care to remember, but I love it still.

We were actually having some snow when I was making this card, but it didn't lay thank goodness.  Much too early for the white stuff.

Well that's all from me.

Take care.

Orange and Black for IAAS

Good morning.  This should have been posted yesterday!  When I got home late yesterday afternoon I discovered that although I scheduled the post it had failed to show. So much for my three posts in a row. Ugh!!!

Hi, this my third post in as many days. Wow!

Today it is time for International Art and Soul and the theme is to use  Orange and Black, as chosen by Chriss.  Unfortunately I really do not like orange and have no orange papers or anything.  I hope Chriss does not mind that I "watered down" her challenge and used a much paler version in my CAS card.

My Card

 

Recipe

6"square base card

digi  paper  from  my file (unknown origin)

Hello die - Creative Expressions

daisy - Woodware punch

black flowersoft for centres

black spotted ribbon - from stash

I am really getting  to quite like  CAS cards on occasion. I'm certainly not unhappy with this.

Why not pop over to the blog and see what my DT sisters have come up with for this challenge?

By the time you read this I will be on the way to Leicester to visit the Richard 111 Visitor Centre with our WI group.  This time husbands are coming so I'm sure we will all have a great day.

Hope you all enjoy your day too.

Take care.

 

Monochrome for Christmas Card Club

Good morning.  I'm a day early with this post because I need to post another DT card tomorrow. So this is day 2 of my 3 in a row; just like buses - none for ages then three together.

This time it is Kate's turn to choose the theme and her choice is monchrome colours.  I have chosen to use shades of teal.  When I saw this in the Winter Wonderland pad from Crafters Companion I loved it so I used is as the main part of the card. It didn't seem to need anything else so after adding the sentiment die I left it at that.

 Card # 1 - Kate

Recipe

7" square base card - Anna Marie 

Teal glitter card - Crafters Companion

2 different pearlescent card -LimeTree Craft

Main cardstock - "Winter Wonderland" pad Crafters Companion 

Sentiment die - Creative Expressions

Card # 2 - Rachel

Recipe
6" square base card
red card - Rymans
paper - Scandi Christmas from LOTV
sentiment die - Creative Expressions
Noble pierced squares - Creative Expressions
snowflake dies - X Cut

Two weeks ago I missed a challenge when Rachel asked us to use turkeys, sheep or camels so I have made a card now. Many apologies Rachel.  Loved the sheep wearing the Christmas hat so here it is.

Wow!  What a wild day it was yesterday.  I hope you are all safe and sound. 

We are off to Leicester tomorrow to the Richard 111 Exhibition and the cathedral so I think it will be an interesting visit.

Take care and enjoy your weekend.

Christmas Card Club

Good morning.  Another two weeks have rolled around and it's time for our little club to show their cards.  This time Mrs A chose the theme and she is looking to see either polar bears or teddy bears.  I'm still not feeling 100% and I haven't done any crafting but I didn't want to miss out.

My Card

 

Recipe

5" x 7" red base card

red and white cardstock for matting and layering - stash

image - Greeting Card Factory Deluxe 

poinsettia and leaf sprays - Creative Expressions

This card is made up entirely from stuff that was already in my stash.  I must have intended to use the card at some point and didn't, so it was all ready and waiting for topper.  That too had been printed off and just waiting to be used, as were the poinsettia set.  It was a very quick move to just add the topper and flower and here it is. And of course I added the obligatory glitter to Santa's jacket.  I  really love this image.  I will probably add a sentiment at some stage.

Hope you are all well but if not get well soon.  And I have just heard that a dear blog friend has just lost her husband very suddenly so healing thoughts and prayers wing their way to her and her family.

Christmas Card Club

Good morning all.  Well the lovely weather has returned and I understand it will be around for a couple of weeks so we should make the most of it.

Zoe has chosen the theme this time and she wants to see Trees or Christmas Foliage.  However, I missed GranMargaret's challenge two weeks ago when her theme was Nativity so this time I have made a card for each of the themes, and I apologise for my tardiness.

Card # 1 for GranMargaret

 

Recipe 

6" square white base card

blue card - Jelly Bean Crafts

paper - LOTV Frosty Christmas

topper - Ruth Morehead

Frostyville Border - Memory Box

Noble Pierced Squares - Creative Expressions

silver glitter card - Crafter's Companion

sentiment - computer generated

Card # 2 for Zoe

 Recipe

5" x 7" white base card

green card stock form stash

image - LOTV Art Pad

backing paper - Glad |Tidings from Dovecraft

I kept this very simple because the backing paper is so busy, but it did match the image so well.

Well that's it from me but I do hope you have a good weekend and that you have some sunshine too.

Take care.

Nautical Card for IAAS

Good morning.  This is my DT post for International Art And Soul where the theme is Marine, Ocean, Sea.

My Card

Recipe

6" square card base from navy pearlescent card - stash

backing paper - from my digi stash

image - from digi stash

ship's anchor  - Cheery Lynn Designs

pennant dies - Creative Expressions

The backing paper started life as creamy brown but I digitally altered it so it fitted my theme better. So this is another card for my male box.

Please pop across to the blog and see what my team mates have come up with this for this challenge.  We are a Just For Fun Challenge so don't give prizes but you might still like to join us.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Christmas Activities

Good morning.  Time for our little Christmas Card Club to produce another card in our quest to keep ourselves well ahead of the game and come December there will be no sense of panic or urgency.  This time Maureen is hosting and she wants to see something to do with activities at Christmas such as  sleighing, sledging, skiing etc.

My Card

Recipe

6" square base card - Rymans

silver mirri and glitter card - Crafters Companion

Wintertide die - Amy Designs 

I chose this die because there are skis leaning against the tree and ice skates hanging from the lamp post so I've ticked two boxes. All the mirri and glitter makes it very Christmas-sy - but very difficult to photograph.  Ah well, I know that in real life it looks very pretty.

I like these smaller sentiment dies.  The large ones are great to make a statement on a card but sometimes just  a tad to big for smaller cards.

Well I hope you have been enjoying your weekend.

Take care.

Love and Hugs Christine xx

Christmas Traditions at IAAS

Well here I am for the third day in a row - and the third Christmas card too.  This is my DT card for International Art and Soul. The theme of  the challenge is Christmas Traditions so I chose  sending Christmas cards. Initially I was going to use carol singing then remembered that was the theme of the Christmas Card Club.  Three Christmas cards in a row in such heat.  Crazy!!

If you are looking for my CCC card please scroll down to previous post.

My Card

Recipe

white card stock for base - Anna Marie Designs

red card stock - Rymans

patterned paper - Home For Christmas: Papermania

topper - Lili of the Valley

large poinsettia die - Creative Expressions

small poinsettia - Marianne Designs 

sentiment die - Creative Expressions

I have been playing around with fun fold cards this week and this one is called an Impossible Card.  Clearly it isn't impossible just clever cutting and folding.  John was amazed when I showed him and he was sure I had stuck two pieces together.  It really does look very effective and especially since it is made from a single piece of card 7" x 5".  It folds totally flat for posting and the finished size is 7" x 6" but this depend on the size of the topper you apply.

Well that's all from me today.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Take care.

Not Square or Oblong

Good morning.   This is my DT card for International Art and Soul.  The remit was to make a card which was not square or oblong.  Now I know this is pretty much oblong but I hope the fancy edges make it okay!!

My Card

 

Recipe

ivory and lavender Centura Pearl - Crafter's Companion

Laced Bow Easel creator die - Tonic Studios

Twig leaf die - Sue Wilson

Numbers/letters dies - Spellbinders 

Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts

Sentiment - computer generated 

ribbon and pearls from stash

This set of dies makes such a great card and no matter what colour combo you use it looks fabulous.

I was asked to make this card for the oldest member of our WI and she is absolutely amazing.  Most of our group are so much younger but Myrtle mixes so well with everybody and gets so involved it's hard to believe her age!!!  She is also just recovering from major surgery - and I really mean major but again she didn't let it get her down.

I was asked to use this die or something similar because they had seen another card I had made with it which impressed them.  I was able to kill two birds with one stone and use this card for the IAAS challenge.  We are a Just For Fun challenge but why not pop across to the blog and see what my teamies have produced and maybe you will join in and show us your shaped cards.

Hope the weather improves for the Bank Holiday but here in our part of Oxfordshire it has been a pretty dire couple of days.

Take care.

Snow Globe with Reindeer Shaker Card

Good morning.  This is my card for the Christmas Card Cub which I'm afraid was due yesterday.  The subject is Animals at Christmas so with apologies to Kate, who chose the theme,  here is my offering.

My Cards
#1

Recipe

7" square base card - Anna Marie 

Falling Snow e/f - Creative Expression

Snow Globe die - Creative Expressions

Santa's Reindeer scene - Creative Expressions

Snowflake dies - The Works

silver mirri card - Crafter's Companion

silver non-shed glitter card - Crafter's Companion

Twinklets Diamond Dust inside snowglobe

 #2

 

Recipe

 6" square card base - Rymans card 

Image - Winter Wolf - Craftsuprint

turquoise glitter card - Hobbycraft

I found this image whilst searching through my external hard drive for something else, so I've had it a long time but not used.  And that's criminal because it is a beautiful image.  Such a magnificent animal.  No sentiment yet because I'm not sure who it will be going to.

#3

This is a card that is totally computer generated using my Greeting Card Factory programme. I have messed up the central image a bit.  Although on the picture it does like a circle in real life I must have stretched it a wee bit so it is not quite a perfect circle.  Looks okay though.  I quite enjoy playing around and finding different images, merging them and adding borders.  Just added some glitter and printed it onto line card stock.

Once again  Kate I apologise but I hope youare happy with the results and that it fits your callenge.

Take care.

Humour for IAAS

Good morning and welcome to a beautiful winter wonderland - again!  Oh boy I could do without this. I should have been going out with the WI today. As luck would have it I had to cancel a couple of days ago but I still wouldn't have been able to go because we can't get out due to the snow! And the roads would be treacherous around here so just as well I'm not travelling.

My Card

 

 Insert

Our challenge at IAAS this time is to add some humour to your card.This is a simple card but makes me smile. I took the image from  Greeting Card Factory De Luxe and used the same image for the insert just faded it out. The trees are Frosted Pine and Frosted Spruce from Memory Box. I wanted to keep the background simple but didn't like the stark white card so I used my scoreboard to add lines making it stripey.

Why not pop over to the blog and see what the rest of the team have produced and consider joining in the challenge?  We are a Just For Fun challenge so no prizes I'm afraid but blogging is for fun anyway isn't it?

If you have snow then take care and keep warm. Don't go out unless you need to is what I say.  An ideal opportunity to craft!

Take care.

Happy Easter at MAWTT

Good morning.   Well haven't we had a mixed bag of weather of late? We went to Evesham yesterday and the River Avon had burst it's banks. It was quite a sight to see the picnic tables and the benches all in the water and the ducks and Canada geese swimming almost at street level.

Time for another challenge at MAWTT.  Carole is hosting this challenge and she wants to see your Easter creations.

My Card

 

Recipe

6" square base card

lemon backing paper - Limetree Crafts

patterned cardstock - "Spring Drop" First Edition

image - Pink Gem

Austrian Collection (Salzburg) dies -Creative Expressions

purple card - Crafters Companion

sentiment - computer generated

Such a sweet image of this little bunny with his Easter egg. I used these dies because they seemed to resemble Easter eggs and fit the theme so well. I don't generally make Easter cards but this year I have made three for some reason.

Please pop over to the blog and check out what the rest of the DT have produced and hopefully you will decide to join us.

Take care.

International Art and Soul

Good morning.  We are a Just For Fun challenge so no prizes but some great badges for your side bar.  This challenge threw me at first. The remit is "Use something you already own".  In the end I took it to mean don't buy something new  and use it in your project.

My Card

Recipe

5"x 7" base card - Anna Marie Designs card stock

Antique Gold Pearl card - Ross Paper Craft

Provence Die set - Creative Expressions

Smallest die from Auverne set - Creative Expressions

Star Flowers and Star Flower Leaves - John Next Door
Heart embossing folder - Crafts Too

Ribbon - from stash

Gold pearls - Meiflower

Sentiment - computer generated.

Apart from John Next Doors Star flowers and leaves which I bought just before Christmas everything else I used has been in my possession for a few years at least. So I think I have fulfilled the remit.

I was bridesmaid for my cousin and I still can't believe it was so long ago! I had just started my nursing career and I was a student nurse of three months standing and my cousin had just taken her finals at the same hospital.  Looking at the photos again brought back some memories I can tell you.

Please pop across to the blog and check out what the rest of the team have made.

I will be back again tomorrow with a card for my Christmas Card Club which unfortunately will be a day late!! See you then hopefully.

Take  care.

Anything But a Card at MAWTT

Good morning everybody.  I hope you are well on with your Christmas preparations.  I finally got my Christmas tree up on Tuesday!!  I was beginning to think it was never going to happen this year. I threw it up so quickly and yet it looks great.  Other years I spend hours and then till keep fiddling with it.

Today is our final challenge of the year at MAWTT and both teams are taking part.  There are also some great give-away prizes by DT members so get yourself over and check it out.  The theme is "Anything But a Card" so let your imagination run wild. 

My Project

 

 

I have made tealight holder using Sue Wilson's Wise Men Striplet die then just added a gold glitter border to the top and bottom and a gold glitter star. Simple but effective.

 

Well that's it from today.  Hope everybody is well and not suffering from any nasty viruses.

 

Take care.

 

 

 

 



Christmas Gifts

Good morning.  I hope none of you are snowed in!  We are not quite at that point yet but the way the snow is continuing to fall I think it might not be too long!  The joys of living in such an isolated spot! Still, the cupboards and fridge are stocked so if the worst comes to the worst we won't go hungry!!

Well this is our final card of the year for our Christmas Card Club but we will be back in the New Year.

My Card

 

 

 

Recipe

5" x 7" base card - Hobbycraft card stock

die and embossing folder - Sue Wilson

topper - LOTV

pearls - from stash

 

Yesterday was the first day of the Christmas  Tree Festival which we. the WI, had been asked to organise in the village church. We have 24 trees of all shapes and sizes - real trees, artificial trees,

 a lampshade tree, twig tree - you name it and it's there. It's lovely to see how imaginative people have been, which is what se asked of them.  Yesterday we served coffee and mince pies for a couple of hours and next Saturday we will be doing the same thing. It's quite a lot of work at such a busy time but so worth it when you see people's reactions.  I got there and back with a wee bit of difficulty yesterday so I'm glad the major snowfall didn't happen then!

 

Keep warm and safe - a day to huddle round the fire I think!!

 

Take care.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Trees For Mawtt

Good morning and I hope this finds you warm and well.  I was quite surprised when I got up early this morning - no frost!  I came in at half past nine last night and the temperature was already down to 1degree so I was expecting a really hard frost like the last couple of mornings.  Obviously it got warmer during the night thankfully.

This morning my card is for MAWTT.  The theme was chosen by Jackie, who asked to see trees.

My Card

 

 

Recipe

7" x 5" kraft card base - Hobbycraft

image - Greeting Card Factory

bronze pearlescent cardstock - Crafters Companion

white cardstock - Ryman

maple leaf punch - Woodware

stitched pennant - Creative Expressions

sentiment - computer generated

 

I love to see reflections in the water so when I remembered this image (which I had downloaded a long time ago from my Greeting Card Factory programme but never actually used) it was the perfect choice - water, reflections, trees.

 

Quick and easy card which I think will probably be added to my pack of cards for males.

 

Please pop over to the blog and see the offerings from my team mates.  perhaps you will be inspired to join us in our challenge.

 

Take care and enjoy your day. 

 

 

 

 

 



Spots/Stripes At Winter Wonderland.

Good morning.  Just a very quick post today and quite late for me too.  It is time for a challenge from the Snowflake team at Winter Wonderland.  The challenge is to use spots and/or stripes on your project.  Our sponsor is Crafty Sentiments and the prize on offer is 3 digis of the winner's choice.

My Card

Recipe
6" square base card - Rymans
Blue card - Jellybean Crafts
snowy (spotty) paper - LOTV Frosty Christmas
digi image - Snowman Song ,Crafty Sentiments
Pierced Squares and Rectangles - Creative Expressions
Snowflake Ribbon - Poppystamp Dies
Sentiment - magazine freebie

I got spots in my backing paper and stripes on the snowman's scarf.  Can I count the pierced holes too?  Ah well, perhaps not. Lots of crystal glitter on the hats.

Please pop across to the blog and see if you can pick up some inspiration from the DT and maybe consider joining in with the challenge. We look forward to seeing you.

Take care.

Things Beginning With "B"

Good morning.  Well right now the sun is shining brightly but since I am writing this post in advance, and scheduling it, I have no idea what it will be doing when it is published. It's time for another challenge at MAWTT today.  Diane Louise is our host this time and she has asked us to use things beginning with the letter "B" on our projects.

On my card you will see the colour blue, birds, blossoms, two lots of bunting, one on the image and also die cut bunting, a butterfly and a birthday banner - and if you look very closely you will see a tiny bee in the background as well as a bow on the birthday parcel.  I guess I could stretch it and call the pearls "beads" ... lol!

My Card

Recipe

7" x 5" white base card

topper - LOTV Art Pad (disc.)

bunting die - Joanna Sheen Signature dies

Noble Pierced Rectangle dies -Creative Expressions
punched butterfly
pearls - from stash

On my card you will see the colour blue, birds, blossoms, two lots of bunting, one on the image and also die cut bunting, a butterfly and a birthday banner - and if you look very closely you will see a tiny bee in the background as well as a bow on the birthday parcel.  Maybe  I could stretch it and call the pearls "beads" ... lol!  I die cut the bunting in white card and then just coloured it with Promarkers to mimic the bunting in the image.

Please pop over to the blog and see what the rest of Team A have come up with.  Hopefully you will be inspired to join in the challenge.

Take care and have a good day whatever you plan to do.

Entered into:

Pause Dream Enjoy - birthday

Fab 'n' Funky - Anything Goes

Distressing

Today's challenge at International Art & Soul is "Distressing"!!!  Now I get distressed at the very thought of distressing so it wasn't exactly the easiest card for me to make. But hey  that's what challenges are all about - pushing you out of your comfort zone.  Well I managed it and here is the result.  Not masses of distressing but enough I hope.

Please scroll down if you are looking for my CCC card

My Card

Recipe

6 " square base card - made from Crafter's Companion cream pearlescent card

paper -  digi paper but unknown

pennant dies - Creative Expressions

flowers - The Craft Shed

sentiment - computer generated

pearls - the Hobby House

lace and ribbon - from stash

Well it turned out better than I thought it would which is always a bonus.  Please pop across to the blog and find out what my teamies have been up to! Maybe you will be inspired to join in with the challenge.

The sun is shining here so long may it continue.    Enjoy your day.