PoppyFan

Todays card is a special order for a very special lady. As requested I have made an A4 size card. No matter how I tried to photograph it, I still had to photograph it twice so that I could share it with you.On the left hand side of the card I have made a fan using a board from the Glitter Girls. I can't remember what it's called but it's one of their boards that I use the most. It has 3 layers to it. I had some poppy peeloffs which I have painted using my H2O's and have cut them out and layered them up. I'm still playing withit and have yet to decide on jewels and bows..that may take me the rest of the afternoon once I get those boxes out. I'm also hoping to get a pile of cards ready for posting and you know what that means...the dreaded inserts. I think that one of my new year resolutions will have to be to spend a day doing a load of inserts ready for use. Everyone laughs at my hate of doing the inserts and I don't know why they have become my nemesis. It was perhaps that a few years ago I had an order and had to do 90 in one go..all the same one after the other..perhaps that's what sent me over the edge..lol What part of cardmaking do you dread? And I have to laugh because it drives me insane if I have to send a card out without an insert..I personally think that they make such a difference to the project. Below is a picture of the right hand side of the card where I have made a floral edge using a different type of peeloff. Over the years peeloffs have received such a bad reputation..but they have improved so much that they are so very usefull to have in your stash.

It's a lot warmer in the village today, as you can tell by the noise of a chainsaw which is driving me to distraction. On and on it keeps droning..I'm getting to the point that I would like to go out and put that chainsaw where the sun doesn't shine. Some of the best days here in the village have been ruined by continuous chain sawing or building work. It does make me laugh though..people move to the village and you live with the noise of their building work for a year and then when it's someone else..they moan and moan about other peoples noise. I may moan but really I'm only venting..lol. With a lot of new people moving into the village it amazes me when they have made opinions about people without taking the time to get to know them. My Grandmother always told me that if you can't find anything nice to say..then don't say anything at all. There is a gentleman who has moved into the village who has said to one of my friends how strange I am.It made me laugh so. It was because I was out in the wheelchair with Reg and the cats and the fact that my hair was purple. Perhaps he thinks everyone should be beige..lol. He would get a greater shock if he saw me now..my hair is green at the moment. I always promised Henry that I would grow old disgracefully..and my punk side has never really left me..lol.But I suppose it takes allsorts to make a world. And bless him..the gentleman in question doesn't know me..no doubt when he does..his opinion will still be the same.

Well the coffee is calling and thank goodness I have some now. What a difference it makes. I'm seriously considering having it on a drip..lol..I'm a whole new woman once the caffeine is in my system. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

46th Anniversay

Todays card is for a 46th wedding anniversary. It turns out that the theme for a 46th anniversary is a piece of poetry. Personally I think that after 46 years it should be something a bit more fabulous but hey ho. I used a glitter girls board..I think it's called tall stories..it's a board that makes a tall book. Onto this I decoupaged some flowers from the Joanna Sheen cdrom called The Royal Horticultural Society. It is one of the older cds but has a wealth of images of different flowers,plants and fruits. I also added an inkpot and a quill to tie in with the poetry theme. Hanging from the bow is a pair of angel wings to tie in to the poem. I hope they like it.

It is a lovely day, here in the mountains.Taking Reg for a wheel was a joy..we were joined by Milky, Rave, Tankie and Jeff. I'm afraid that my cats are getting used to the limelight and now seem to be very relaxed when people take their photos. People seem to find it so unusual that the cats come for a walk..no doubt we will end up being posted on Facebook..lol As I was sitting at Turnaround tree I was looking at some trees that have grown round a local garden..it suddenly struck me that I can remember these trees being planted about 20 years ago. They now look magnificent and are just taking on the colours of Autumn. AsI sat I pondered on the fact of how lucky I am to live in such a place where I get to see the seasons change. It only seems a blink ago that I was saying how much blossom there were on the blackberry brambles and now the blackberries are ready to be picked. I shall have to convince my friend to do battle with the brambles. As henry used to say then we could have a taste of summer in the middle of winter.

When the post arrived it brought a package that I wasn't expecting. It was from one of my design teams and contained alot of stamps..so no doubt the weekend will see me stamping my little heart out. I just love stamping and don't get to do as much as I want to..but I shall designate the weekend to playing with my inks. I may even get my embossing powders out. Something to look forward to...see it doesn't take that much to make me happy..lol

Well the coffee is calling..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

Floral Handbag

Well here I am back again..thank goodness. I was all ready to post yesterday and then I became so ill I had no option than to take to my bed...rather like a victorian maiden lounging on her chaise..but with me it was a case of a whinging ball of pain returning to her cave with her ever faithful hound. Yes I ended up in bed for the afternoon with Reg. I haven't been ill like that for a few months so it was a bit of a shock. I think it was just a case of everything getting a bit much for me..solicitors,coraners,social services,ex partners and missing Henry..it was just too much I think. But I'm glad to say I feel so much better today..I've evn managed to wash out the fridge and hoover the parlour. I have to add that before I can hoover the parlour I had to go round with a dustpan and brush..thanks to Reg and his memory foam fetish. I had thought that I had removed it all but he keeps finding more and spreading it round the floor...everywhere...lol

Todays card is shaped as a handbag. I made the bag using one of the glitter girls boards.I added flowers designed by Adele at Jiggery Makery. I coloured them using my copics. The foliage was made using a die from Tattered Lace. The bag is made so it opens so there is a good space to write your greeting.

The weather here today doesn't know what to do with itself. I took Reg out for a wheeland the sun was shining and it was pouring down. I got thoroughly wet and Reg enjoyed every minute of it. He doesn't mind the rain at all and skips along. The hardest thing is when he thinks that he should walk in front of me..directly in front of me and the chair. I end up kicking him up the bum at every step or rather..every turn of the wheel. Sometimes I think he thinks that he is a Husky and should be in charge..lol. At this very moment Reg and Jeff are in the dog basket in disgrace...while I was cleaning the fridge..they decided to help themselves to the dog treats..I returned to the parlour to find the two of them tucking in...and enjoying every minute. I'm also being helped to type this by Raven...she likes to sit on my chest while I am typing..which doesn't help because I can't see what I'm typing.

Well the coffee is calling..and thank the stars..I have more coming later. I really need to keep my caffeine levels up. So until tomorrow take care and happy crafting

Winter Handbag

Todays card doesn't look like one but trust me it is..lol. I have made the handbag using a board from the Glitter Girls..from Keepsake Crafts. Even though the company is now owned by someone else.this boar is from a time when Kathy and Babs still owned and demonstrated the products. I have made the bag using a lilac pearlescent card and embellished it using diecuts and jewels. The large snowflake clips were made using a peeloff mounted onto the matching card and then cut out. I have also made a matching tag. Inside the bag is lined and decorated by stamping leaves and adding jewels. The bag is for and order.
I have shared my blogging journey with you all and am still loving every moment. Today I was delighted to have been picked to be a spotlight winner over on Rubys Rainbow challenge blog. It was such a surprise because there were some other wonderful cards. The world of challenge blogs has been a wonderful source of inspiration and I have been lucky enough to meet some wonderful crafters who share my passion for cardmaking. I have won a badge for my blog which hopefully I will get on my blog as soon as I can work out the computer business. Still no matter what I do, I still find it hard to grasp what I have to do..but it's all a learning curve. When I began I had no idea how to even blog, then I had to learn how to get the photos up and then it was linking. I'm still working on the linking side of it. I can now enter challenges which is great but it still needs my instruction sheet and a large cup of coffee..lol.
Well speaking of coffee..the kettle is boiling. I hope that you are having a really good day...so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

*challenges entered*

Crafting from the Heart - Anything goes

Raisin Boat Challenge - Christmas Creations

Pixie's Crafty Workshp Challenge - Anything goes

Silver Wedding Card

Todays card is an order for a silver wedding anniversary card. I have used the bookatrix board from the glitter girls. Even though it looks as if I have used a rainbow card, it's actually a rainbow holographic and that is how the camera caught the effect. In one light it looks plain silver. I have decoupaged some pansies from Joanna Sheens Heart of the garden cdrom. I also used the lattice part of Joanna Sheens garden trellis planter from her Signature die range. The bookmark is from the other side of the bookatrix board..I embossed and cut it twice and then sandwiched the two together with a piece of acetate in between.
Well the day has arrived when I have no other choice but to start the inserts for all my christmas cards. I have been putting it off for about a month and now I can no longer do that. I will be fine once I get a little routine going...and then my parlour will look like a production line..lol. How are your christmas cards going? I have a lot of messages from people that say that they make their own cards but feel as if the people that receive them don't appreciate them. I always say that even though I sell lots of cards, I still send my friends a handmade card. There will always be people who think that you are taking the cheap route by sending them a handmade card and all us crafters know that this isn't the case. I have friends who love my cards and know how much thought I have put into that card but these people equally would appreciate any thing I send them, handmade or not. I have come to the conclusion that it's just human nature and you really have to please yourself. I make cards because I enjoy it so much and I'm not changing the way that I am to please anyone. So if you suffer people that think badly of handmade cards..let them..send the card that you want to and maybe one day they will realise. Hold your head up high and be proud of what you do.
I'm heading for the coffee and then the insert saga will begin. I hope that you all have a great weekend..take care and happy crafting.

*challenges entered*
Delicious Doodles - No design paper

Allsorts Challenge - Bring on the bling

The magic tin

This is a card I made today for a ruby wedding anniversary. The shape itself is from a glittergirls board. The decoupage was created from the Joanna Sheen cdrom From the Heart of the Garden. I am yet to make a stand for it. Instead of a box or envelope it will be wrapped in tissue paper. At the moment I'm really in the mood to create lots of cards...as with everyone, my mojo can sometimes take a holiday but when then happens I go to my magic inspiration tin and pick out a ticket. When my mojo is with me , I make tickets for my tin...it might say a colour, a theme, an idea..(inking on mirror board or embossing on acetate) and put them all in...then when I feel my mojo slipping, I give the tin a good shake and pick one out. And then I do what it says. It's just a way that makes me work at something and it's really surprising what ideas can come into your head this way. It may sound odd but it works for me and I thought I would share it. Even sometimes when you have lots of orders coming in or lots of cards that you need to make for your own use..the magic tin is a way of having a break from the norm and gives your head a break. I hope you make your own magic tin and happy crafting