A Flying Visit.

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Oh, my!! it's been a long time since my last post and this is a one-off for now 'cos I will be off on holiday on Saturday morning so will be busy getting ready for the off :)

The kitchen is in working order, phew, about time too, just a cupboard to make to fit over the eyesore of a boiler.

This is the first card I've made since the end of March and I'd like to enter.........

4 Crafty Chicks #142 - birthday
Crafting for all Seasons #52 - think pink
Delightful Challenges - bingo - patterned paper, die cuts, flowers
Crafty Bloggers Network #11 - O's and X's - die cut, flowers, ribbon
Challenges 4 Everyone #20 - anything goes

Thank you for stopping by
Cheers me dears


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Friends Anniversary

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We have encountered some problems fitting the new kitchen and are still in a BIG mess and I am VERY fed up!

I struggled to make this card (6"sq) for our friends anniversary tomorrow, because the fridge is taking up most of the space in my work area and my PC has a dodgy connection and the screen keeps going off, boo hoo.

It is our Golden Wedding Anniversary on Saturday (tomorrow, same as our friends) and I haven't even made a card for hubby.......how bad is that :(


More flowers made with my new die.........I think I am getting better at these.
The stick pin is from WOC - papers from Far Far Hill - ribbon from Linda's, Funkie Junkie Boutique  - lace and button from stash

Challenge
HIMCR #90 - happy anniversary


Thank you for stopping by and the much appreciated comments on previous posts
Cheers me dears :)


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21st Birthday Easel

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Hello and a welcome to new friends, it is really lovely to see you here :)

I am full of cold and the house is full of kitchen. I am having a new one installed and it was delivered Saturday morning. The electrical items are in the dining room, the cupboard units in the garage and the contents of the kitchen are filling the bedrooms plus some stuff in the living room. What a mess - such a heap of it for such a small kitchen!!!
On the bright side it means we'll be eating out a lot, LOL.

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This is a 21st birthday commission for a friend who's granddaughter is studying fashion and photography at uni.
She (my friend) likes easel cards and the scrolls so at least I had a starting point. The rest took a bit of thinking about but I got there in the end.

The cameras are printed on photo paper and are two shaped layers for a little extra interest.  The scroll is, as usual, printed on to parchment type paper distressed around the edges.

Challenges
Totally Papercrafts - easel cards
Fab 'n' Funky - #162 - add a sentiment
One Stop #220 - anything goes




Thank you for stopping by and the much appreciated comments on previous posts :)
Cheers me dears!


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Golden Day #3

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Phew!! This is the last card for neighbours Mum & Dad's Golden Anniversary.
I didn't know where to start with this one and found it more difficult to make this one to Dad from Mum than the others because I wanted to avoid flowers.

The magnificent TH flourish was stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with detail gold then coloured with Scattered Straw distress pad.
The Spellbinders fleur de lis corner accents were squashed into the Versamark pad and heat embossed with gold.
The jute ribbon from Linda's Funkie Junkie Boutique is overlaid with Laura Ashley ribbon - a gift from my DD many moons ago. It is just the right colour and not too girly.

I found the little heart I'd made from friendly plastic goodness knows how long ago that was - so long ago that I've forgotten how to use the stuff. I'm going to have to look at YouTube for a video or tut, LOL

The inside but, again no pic of the box :)

Challenges
Crafting by Designs - wedding - 2nd entry
Use it Tuesday #52 - diecuts, punches, cutouts ( ribbon and FP heart)
Natalie and Amy #7 - diecuts
Make My Monday  - heat embossing



Thank you for stopping by and the much appreciated comments on previous posts :)
Cheers me dears


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CACB Commenter Winner

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The winner of my commenter prize from Crafty Ann's final challenge is

.....Josephine.....

chosen by the trusty old method of pulling a name from the hat - well, a bowl actually.

Congratulations Josephine.  Choose any one item from Crafty Ann's digi shop  (including the scrap kits)  then  email  Ann with your choice. 

Remember everyone that Ann's shop will close it's doors on the 5th April so now's the time to treat yourself if you'd like any of her gorgeous goodies. 

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A Golden Day #2

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The second  card for my neighbour's parents.


The main DP panel is a design by Eva Kipler from Sweet Shoppe - I love this paper :)
This is layered with foam tape on to some parchment type paper with pierced edges and rounded corners.
The next layer is the lovely CB  texture embossing folder with gold painted Die D-Lites Garden Weave and finally a scroll with computer generated greeting printed on the same parch type paper

More flowers with the Marianne die :)

The final touch is the bow - gold net ribbon from Linda, the Funkie Junkie's boutique and a handmade stick pin

And the inside, again using the main DP as on the front

Challenges
ABC - J for just as you like
Cupcake Crafts  #233  - it's only words
Crafting by Designs - wedding
RRR #68 - flowers and ribbon
Fussy and Fancy #84 - flowers
Papertake - 1-2-3 - 1 DP , 2 die cuts, 3 flowers
CCC #31 - ribbon



Thank you for stopping by :)
Cheers me dears


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A Golden Day

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The first of three cards commissioned by my neighbour for her parents.


Gold painted punched butterflies
Spellbinders Floral Ovals
Marianne flower die
Frayed muslin
Pearls

The flowers are made with my new aquisition, the Marianne die - I love this, although I still need practice with rolling. The paper panel here has a lovely design on it - it's a shame it doesn't show.

The inside with the same paper as on the front

Challenges I'd like to enter
Joanna Sheen - Mum's the word - as long as they are female cards and they are pretty it is OK!
4 Crafty Chicks #132 - die for dies
Happy Campers #12 - flutterby butterfly



Thank you for stopping by
Cheers me dears


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My Happy Birthday

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I had the most wonderful surprise on Saturday evening.  
My DDD, Jo (the extra D stands for devious, LOL) arranged a party for me. I had no idea she was planning this. I was kept totally in the dark. 
We were going out for a meal and she and SIL suggested we pop in to their local pub on the way.
There were banners all over the place with my photo and birthday greetings on and didn't notice any of them.

 I even walked under a banner above the door to what turned out to be a reserved area and only realised what was going on when everyone cheered. It was so lovely to see so many of my family and friends there (over 40) and to say I was overwhelmed is such an understatement!!

I was regretting not organising some celebration myself and was thinking my BIG birthday was going to be a very quiet affair. I got that wrong....it was fabulous.
Jo came down with a stinking cold Sat morning but still managed to see to the final touches.......balloons, pretty table decorations and a gorgeous cake with matching cupcakes for guests.

I've received so many beautiful cards, even more than in the pic below, and lovely presents too. I must say a big thank you to my dear Jo and my family and everyone who made my birthday such a memorable occasion.

I've still got a big smile on my face and will treasure the memories of my best birthday yet."



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A Sad Farewell with "The Sound of Music"

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Sadly this is the last challenge from Crafty Ann's , sob, sob.

Ann has made a difficult decision and is closing  the challenge blog and shop.

I was so proud and excited when Ann asked me to join her design team and will always be grateful to Ann for having faith in me and taking me on.

Amazingly that  was nearly three years ago.....and three wonderful friendly years they have been too.  I have learned so much from Ann and my lovely talented teamies. It has been a great experience and an interesting learning curve and my thanks to you all, it's  been an honour and a pleasure to work with you

So.....the final challenge #84 at Crafty Ann's is.....

"The Sound of Music"

This is my 70th DT card which by chance co-incides with my 70th birthday on Monday, eeeeek... thinking of it as the 30th anniversary of my 40th birthday sounds better, LOL.

When Ann announced the theme for this challenge choosing  this fab digi was the obvious choice for me. I have always liked it and didn't really need an excuse.

I've teamed it with two BP's from mottled stone - very useful are these as they  have a slightly distressed look which I love.

I overstamped the brown BP with this Penny Black music stamp and embossed with copper EP . To give it a bit of a lift I've placed the image on a piece of frayed muslin with foam tape.

I finished off with brown lace, a satin ribbon bow, a pearl button and a rosebud coloured with red copic the same as the roses on the digi.

It will be lovely if you played along with us for the very last challenge. 

Do pop over to CACB and have a decco at the gorgeous samples from DT and then add your own 'Sound of Music'.
There will be three chances to win any three items for this final challenge

You may also want to join in with the informal blog hop with a prize of any item of your choice from the shop.
You will find full details over on the challenge blog.

I'd also like to enter.........

OSAAT #152 - use a digi

A Gem of a Challenge #68  - add a bow
Simon Says Stamp - anything goes

Pretty Little Ribbon #19  - anything goes (3rd entry)

Thank you for stopping by :) and don't forget one of your comments will win a prize!!

Cheers me dears :)

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Pink and Swirls

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The last card for DD's birthday today.

Oooh, how very pink, lol.

The BP is a freebie from craft mag.
Garden Weave die d-lites, my favourite of the moment - shame there isn't a 'mirror' die with this so they would be nice as corners on a larger card.
I lightly coloured the flowers with spun sugar DI.
I made a scroll from parchment type paper and distressed the edges.

I had left this to the last minute and luckily I had made the flower some time ago. I used crinoline from Linda's, Funkie Junkie Boutique and some net cut with TH tattered flower garland die.  The centre is a large brad liberally covered with silver glitter.
There are a few gems on the swirls

Challenges
Ladybug - think pink
Eclectic Ellapu - photo inspiration - yippee, this was one of the top5!!!!
Fun With Shapes - greengate style
Let's Craft and Create  #64 - swirls



Thank you for stopping by
Cheers me dears :)


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The Rose

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Another card for DD. 
The stamp is from Joanna Sheen - have had it years so it is about time it surfaced - I had forgotten what a nice stamp it is.
Coloured with DI pads old paper and spun sugar with a water brush and given a bit of dimension with foam tape 

I coated the butterfly with 3D clear gloss, added wire antenna and a pearl .

Challenges
Creative Card Crew #30 - birthday
Crafty Cardmakers #85 - blooming images
Inky Chicks #4 - mothers day or birthday



Thank you for stopping by :)
Cheers me dears


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Birdcage

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I was lucky enough to win some die cuts from the lovely Sarah at Craft All Day - thank you very much Sarah :)  I am so happy this bird cage was one of them. I have often considered buying this die, but, my crafting budget has to be kept under control, lol.

I started off by covering a piece of card with crumpled tissue paper and experimented with all of my distress stains - yup, got a blue AND a green :)
I then did a bit of random stamping with some words in black and also with white paint  through a piece of plasterers mesh. This was the nearest I could get to a stencil -  the Dylusions diamond border is on my wish list!  I dabbed around the edges with gold.
The birdcage has also been well dabbed with the same gold and some brown paint to give it a worn/distressed look.

I covered the old button with few layers of copper EP then dobbed it on to a swirly stamp while still warm.  I added some black glitter to the corner with just a bit of iced jewels glitter crystal.

The ball chain is a relic from my working life - I knew it would come in handy one day.
I cut the little birdie from a freebie template from Crafts Beautiful  and coloured with some copics and a promarker. If I had made it bigger I would have put it 'in' the cage but it looked so pretty I decided  to leave it free.  Finished off with the crinkled turquoise seam binding bow.

Challenges
The Ribbon Girl - Feb colour challenge
Allsorts #194 - things with wings
Alphabet - A for...anything with wings




Thank you for stopping by and for the much appreciated comments on previous posts
Cheers me dears :)


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Black and White

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Main BP is a freebie from Far Far Hill.
Die cut label shape is glittered around the edge.
The corrugated heart has been painted with iridescent medium
Tis a shame that the doily, heart and flower look off white but IRL it all looks OK.

I  made this glittery flower months ago and added a couple of leaves  die cut from tracing paper.

Challenges

Joanna Sheen - black and white

Cardabilities - sketch

The Pretty Little Ribbon Ch#19 - anything goes 

 The ABC Challenge - H is for happy birthday 

Charisma #6 - anything goes

Thank you for stopping by and for the  lovely comments on previous posts :)
Cheers me dears


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Love Actually

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Crafty Ann's Challenge #83

For this fortnights challenge we are turning to a film title again for inspiration and this week it is........

Love Actually

I have chosen the lush gold paper from APPATW for the BG. I placed the lovely red embossed hearts BP into the metallic frames digitally, added the words, printed on to photo paper  and then cut them both out.

These are then slightly shaped and simply laid on to a piece of fringed muslin. 

All elements can be found in the shop here

I felt the edges need a little treatment so I got out the trusty peel-offs - something I don't do very often these days but are just the job sometimes. The little hearts in the corners are punched from a little bit of left over embossed hearts paper.

Do pop over to CACB and check out the fabby DT work for inspiration



I'd also like to enter these challenges
Charisma #6 - anything goes
MAWTT - love is in the air
PCJ - love
Sincerely Yours #1 - valentine/love
Crafty Creations #209 - love and/or hearts
The Paper Shelter #99 - be my valentine



Thank you for stopping by and for your much appreciated comments on previous posts
Cheers me dears :)


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Happy Birthday Dear Daughter

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Main BP is from Far Far Hill.  I added some spots and cut a fancy scalloped border on some pale green paper for the vertical interest....distressed edges with frayed burlap DI.

TH flourish cut from silver mirri card and dabbed with gold.
Flower made from crinoline and net with a brad covered with liquid pearls for the centre  .
Lush silk ribbon bow and hessian ribbon from Linda's, Funkie Junkie boutique. The bow  is actually a beautiful Rose Pink but looks sort of orangey here :(
Handmade stick pin

I'd like to enter this for the following challenges
Bearly Mine #72 - anything goes
Crafty Ribbons #38 - anything with ribbon
Challenges 4 Everybody #13 - anything goes
Craftroom Challenge - make your own (embellies)
Papertake  - anything goes ( with option of using yellow)
Pretty Little Ribbon    #19 - anything goes





Thank you for stopping by and your fab comments on previous posts
Cheers me dears :)


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Tie a Yellow Ribbon

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Crafty Ann's Challenge #82

 ......and the challenge for you this fortnight is......

Tie a Yellow Ribbon
so we want to see, something tied, some yellow and  ribbon on your project
(the ribbon and tied can be the same element )

I chose this lovely image in anticipation of Spring.....there are some daffs with tight little buds up in my garden which had been hiding under the snow and it is lovely to see the snowdrops in bloom as well.

The gold and silver BP's are just two from Ann's 'massive' new collection......'A Picture Paints a Thousand Words'....APPATW......the image is pre-coloured.......the pearl gems from Cream dream and all can be found in the shop..
This came together a treat and is entirely digital, printed on photo paper and used as a topper on an A5 card blank.

We hope you can play along with us for this new challenge and look forward to seeing your Yellow Ribbon creations.
Do pop over to  CACB  and have a look at the excellent samples the fab DT have produced  for your inspiration.



I'd like to enter this for
Happy Campers #9 -  flowers - use something digital
TTCRD - anything goes
Twisted Tuesdays #42 - free for all
My Grafico #144 - anything goes
OSAAT #148 - use a digi



Thank you for stopping by
Cheers me dears :)


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A quick card...

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.......requested by my DD this evening and needed for tomorrow !!

Very old paper found in leftovers box
Greeting printed on to my homemade label
Spotty ribbon and bow which is a challenge win
Flower from WOC
Bling

Challenges
Creative Craft  #2 - bling it up
Pretty Little Ribbon #18 - flowers and ribbon
Challenges 4 Everybody   #12 - anything goes




Thank you for stopping by
Cheers me dears :)


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Grandson's 19th Again

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Another quick post to show one of the other cards for Grandson's birthday.


Free papers from craft mag - edged the white spotty paper with gold pen - added words made in Serif PPx5 to the label and then fixed it with foam tape/pads for added dimension.

Challenges
Use it Tuesday  #48 -warm it up
Make My Monday - one for the boys
Allsorts #191 - masculine
Glitter & Sparkle #17  - male
Creative Creations #2 - keep it simple - 2nd entry



Thank you for stopping by
Cheers me dears


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Grandson's 19th

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Printed paper design on to card - die cut a circle  and fixed to base card with foam tape.
Cut another circle using the same die and a larger one and cut around the edge with pinking shears. This is fixed over the hole with foam pads.
Finished off with a twine bow with an initial brad.

Challenges I'd like to enter
Craft Room - monochrome
CYP #146 - totally teal
Creative Creations #2 - keep it simple
ABC13 - birthdays
The Paper Shelter # 96 - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes - 2nd entry
Polkadoodles #4 - monochromatic



Thank you for stopping by :)
Cheers me dears


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My Oldest Friend

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We first met 55 years ago when we both started at our local college.  She happily settled in Maine with her husband after he  retired from the US Air Force .
Who would have thought we would still be keeping in touch after all these years.

Papers
Sprout collection from Shabby Shoppe
The lovely blue roses from Paulette at TLC
Main BP unknown


The sentiment is again handmade in Publisher and distressed with DI.  I heat embossed a gold border on the main BP and also stamped and gold embossed friend's initial.


The gorgeous lace and the lush silk ribbon is from Linda's, Funkie Junkie Boutique.
Handmade stick pin with pearls and gold beads

I finished the inside with matching paper but didn't take a pic, duh!


Challenges
Eclectic Ellapu - special birthdays
Stamping Sensations - friendship
Sugar Creek Hollow #45 - tic tac toe - lace, ribbon, pearls
Sarah Hurley #76 - celebrate




Thank you for stopping by :)
Cheers me dears


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