The Holly & the Ivy?

Take 2

I hope I've got this right this time.

Rainbow Lady's Challenge 81 is to use a Christmas Carol as the theme and also use a black card base.
Lorraine says it also fits in with
Digital Tuesday's challenge - a Christmas Song...thanks Lorraine :-)
Crafty Catz is a colour challenge - red, green and silver
My Time to Craft is Christmas Foliage
The Pink Elephant - favourite Christmas colour combo



There is plenty of holly on this and I found the score and lyrics for carol but the ivy is very well hidden :-)



The image and BP is from Joanna Sheen's Victorian Christmas CD.
The lovely wide ribbon is from our new QD store, 70p for 'quite a lot'.
I made an oval frame for the image and cut around it with deckle scissors.
I then made a mat slightly larger in silver mirri card, and fixed it with foam tape and some tiny silver peel-offs around edge the BP
The greeting is from one of Jak's freebies, also fixed with foam tape.

x

Art Deco Christmas

Oh no!!
Another senior moment!!

I made this card specially for Rainbow Lady's Challenge 81...
use a black card base...check...done that.
The only trouble is the instructions also say to use a Christmas Carol as the topic..duh!
Can you think of a carol about an art deco lady? No, neither can I, lol.



Can you see the sparkle :-)




The image and BP is from Debbi Moore's Glitter & Glitz Art Deco CD.
At first I thought the BP was too dark but now I've put it together it looks quite nice.
I don't use border peel-offs very often these days but they have added a nice finish to this. Also added some gems for a bit of added glitz.

Shame about the challenge. I am going to have a little think and will be back later.

Than you for stopping by and all the lovely comments left.

x

Christmas Belle

I really do need nice simple sketches this time of year and this one over at Sketch Saturday fits the bill just perfick



I have for the first time used this adorable digi image, Belle, a most generous freebie from Wendy's Digital Doodling.
Wendy's 2nd challenge is to feature either, the newest of her freebies, Mrs Claus, or glitter or a current sketch.
If I have read the challenge properly Mrs Claus is not compulsory tho she is lovely. I had decided on using the lovely Belle for this card so I think I can enter.
There is a great prize at stake, and you never know...one of these days..lol




Close-up to show the sparkle...once again CP glitter glue.
Belle is coloured with red copics and I coloured 2 prima flowers with the same red. The snowflakes are also glittered with a gem in the centre.



Must get on...hope you'll visit again :-)

x

Holly Fairy

At last - I've used this beautiful Holly Fairy digi stamp from Mo's Digital Pencil.
I think this image is absolutely adorable and I am planning on making one or two more cards with it...I have actually got 2 more already coloured.




Friday Sketchers is sponsored by Mo's Digi Pencil this week and there is a lovely sketch by Beatrix to follow



As usual, I couldn't make up my mind what papers to use...maybe I've got too many digi papers to choose from...ignore that...what a silly thing to say...you can never have too much of anything crafty :-)
My Copic blender pen has dried up so I did struggle with the colouring but am reasonably satisfied with the result.
I've added a bit of glitter glue to her holly wings and shoes.

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I haven't got any christmassy flowers and didn't feel inclined to make any but think these match quite well.

Thanks for your visit, and hope to see you again soon

x

Wreath

One of these years, hopefully before I am too old :-) I will design a card for my daughter to send to her customers that I am happy with.
I began to plan this years card way back in September, in so far as I bought some packs of 5" cards blanks.
As I have about 100 to make I need to keep it as simple as possible and the priority this year was to avoid using my printer ink where possible in order to keep the cost down

I had the brilliant idea that I would stamp the main image and bought this wreath stamp.



That was when the problems started. I confess it was a cheap mounted stamp and it was faulty so I had to peel it off the wood and clean off the spongy back stuff.
When I eventually got a start making the cards (Friday), the only inkpad that would produce a reasonably clean image was my new TH vintage photo distress pad.
In an effort to brighten it up a bit, I gave the image a bit of colour here and there with water colour pencils and my Koi brush, then added a little bit of sparkle to the star and flower centres with Craft Planet glitter glue.
The intention was for it to look sort of wishy washy....well!!! I suceeded a bit too well there :-/

Last night I made 30....and crappy though they are, they've got to do.
Now you know why I am not fond of making Christmas cards

I'll have a rest from these and get a shufty on with the other cards I have to make...just for a nice change (manic laughter)


Thanks for stopping by.

x

Golden Anniversary

A5

I went to youngest Grandson's Christingle service this morning which is held at the school church.
It is always so lovely to see all their bright little faces so serious when their candles are lit while they sang one chorus of 'Shine Little Light of Mine'.
The occasion certainly lit up a very dreary morning.

This card is for an anniversary this weekend.
It is very much like the 30th anniversary card I made recently but with different layout and BP

Challenges ;
Our Creative Corner SASSC43 - a lovely sketch which I have rotated




Crazy for Challenges - use punches

Simon Says - So charming!




The little padlock charm



Thanks for stopping by. I've had so many lovely comments left recently, thank you so much :-)

x

My poor neighbour...

...came round last night around 11.30 in a right state.
Her leg was bleeding and it wouldn't stop.
When I first answered the door I thought she had had a stroke....she was white as a sheet, incoherant and shaky.
Got her sat down and then saw that the bedsock and the teatowel she had wrapped around her leg and her slipper were completely saturated with blood.
I wrapped a dressing gown around her...she was 'freezing' cold...held another teatowel around the bleed, did a 999 and a paramedic arrived in 10 mins.
She had passed out for a time...don't know for how long tho.
Her temperature was about 30 and blood pressure hardly registering but by the time they were ready to get her in the ambulance, about 12.30am she did look a bit better but very confused.
The paramedic had a look in her bathrroom, hall and stairs...and reckoned she'd lost about a litre of blood.
She has been given a couple of units of blood at the hospital and was sent home around lunchtime today.
I've just been round and she is OK and functioning normally...thank goodness!
It sounds dramatic but there was so much blood it looked like a murder scene.
Five hrs cleaning today knackered me...so I'll try to get more the blood out of the carpets tomorrow.
I don't know how she managed to get to us...it was raining but she had been able to put on a coat. She is 78 by the way and very private and independant.... so is pleased to be back home.

So.....I am posting this card made for the partner of my DD's friend last weeek.
It wasn't for a challenge...just thought I'd put it here to cheer up this post



Two CB embossing folders, a handcut no:40 in silver mirri card, a bit of fibre and a scruched flower

Thanks for stopping by and your encouraging comments...see you again soon :-)

x

Baby Boy

135mm square

Magical Crafts gives us a lovely sketch for this fortnight's challenge and
La-La Land's challenge is buttons



I made this baby card mainly because I already had the image printed and coloured...how lazy is that!!
I've also used a pearlised card for a change from my usual plain white card. Because the base card is so nice, I have resisted covering it with a BP and only used two small pieces from a Papercraft 4 You pack.



Thanks for your visit...see you again soon...I hope :-)

x

Pink Petticoat Pillowbox

Skin of my teeth with this.
I had forgotten the Pink Petticoat challenge to make a pillowbox with the chance to win some, no make that LOTS of gorgeous American Crafts ribbon.
I have rustled this up quickly just now with the hope I meet the deadline.

I have deliberately made this in purple/lilac colours so I could enter the first
Sketchy Colors challenge too




The papers are PP Pretty Doodles.

Thanks for stopping by and again for the lovely comments.
I do appreciate and need all the encouragement, lol
See you again soon, I hope :-)

x

Vintage Lady 2

Truly Scrumptious challenge 21 is a lovely sketch this week, but have to admit it really stretched my imagination.




I wanted to do a side opening A5 and had a job to arrange the elements to fit this size.
I hope what I have done is acceptable for the challenge.



I made the decision re the BP's fairly quickly....for a change....but then wasn't satisfied with the image. First I printed it on a parchment type paper...no, didn't like it...next on to photo paper....decided this was too small...so printed a larger one. The 2 reject images are under this final one but I'll keep that a secret.
I spent ages last night making two scrunched flowers then didn't like them...so settled for these lovely blossoms from Wild Orchid.
I changed my mind re the ribbon as well...burgundy was my first choice but the card looked too drab so went for the green.

When it was finished I had a 'funny turn' and decided to make a bag thingy to put it in...it is going to be given to the birthday lady at her party tomorrow, so no posting involved.
It would have fitted in an envelope, albeit a lumpy fit...but NO, I do things the hard way. This must have taken over an hour to make. It is made from 2 sheets of silver mirri card so is actually shiny and not matt gray



The image is another from Art Creations that was posted for a challenge some time ago. The flourish I made last week and is glamour dusted.

Thank you for visiting. I do hope you'll call in again.

x

Vintage Lady

This beautiful image is from
Art Creations Friday and as I totally adore this sort of image I just had to use this for daughter's friend's birthday.
I had to make it in a hurry this morning to catch this evenings post.
The friend lives in Spain and her b/day is on Monday.
Last Friday was the first anniversary of Art Creations......congratulations ,ladies, this is a stunning image with which to celebrate.

Friday Sketchers - I used the current sketch

My Time to Craft challenge 67 - Very Vintage

Paperplay Challenge 42 - Read all about it - to use some text.

Crafty Catz challenge 9 - is Celebrate






Thanks, as always :-)

x

Grandson again!

The last one for this year....and today it is Harry Potter's turn



The BP is from a digi Christmas collection, but the red and the stars were just what I wanted.
The star eyelets (is that spelled right?) are from the candy I won from Kym the other week.
The image is courtesy of Google and the sentiment was added in PhotoPlusX2.
Harry consists of three layers, my version of decoupage!!

Not much else to say about this....I hope he likes all his cards and has fun opening his pressies in the morning.
His Mum & Dad asked him what he wanted for a special birthday tea tomorow and he opted for Nando's...so, hooray...no cooking tomorrow...we are going with them :-)
He has invited us to his party at Paul's Pirates on Friday...what fun.

Thanks, as always, for stopping by and for all your lovely comments

x

x

A new challenge blog....

....called Sketchy Colors will be starting on Sunday

This is what it is all about...

"The first challenge starts at 29th of November, at 9 am – our time!
Our challenges will mainly consist sketches and color challenges – therefore “Sketchy Colors”!
You’re allowed to make any creation you like, just as long as the sketch/colors are being followed :)
And you’re also allowed to combine our challenges with others!"

There is some excellent blog candy to celebrate the launch...best go take a look :-)

x

Santa

One more Christmas card to add to my measly collection.
I followed this nice sketch from
Sketch and Stash 24

Magical Crafts Fortnightly challenge is to use Santa or a snowman, plus sparkle, ribbon and a christmas flower...I hope the holly BP will do!

Pollycraft Monday Challenge is Ria's Wonderful Christmas Time...to create something with a Christmas theme.





The new stash is the image....one of the freebies in the current Making Cards mag. Crikey, I am getting lazy, lol
I put some sparkle on the bobble on Santa's hat and also on the berries of the holly.

Thank you for stopping by and all the lovely comments you've been leaving.
Every one is really appreciated :-)

x

Another for Grandson

A5


I have followed the Papertake Weekly Sketch 28 for another card for grandson.






I decided I'd rather send him one with 'Grandson' on, so Spongebob will be for aunty and cousins to give to him.
He also likes to watch 'I Carly' on TV......I definitely don't!!!!!....Gramma would rather watch Spongebob, lol

The pic of 'Carly' is courtesy of Google.
Various backing papers I'd already printed off.
I made the 'Happy Birthday to You' tag thingy some time ago and used colours to go with it 'cos I thought it was about time I used it
I printed greetings for the inside on the left-over piece of BP from the front and made some little tiles to go down the side.




I don't mind making children's cards but hope I'll soon get my enthusiasm back for making my favourite vintage pretty cards :-)
The other week someone DIL knows took a lot of my cards with the intention of selling them in her little unit at a local garden centre.
Well, it turned out that the landlord told her she couldn't have them in her shop as one of the other tenents sells cards.
To say I was disappointed is a bit of an understatement..but hey never mind, that's life.

Thanks for dropping in today and for all the lovely comments.....hope to see you again soon

x

Black and White...plus...another colour

A5

A birthday card for my niece and it follows the theme of
Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog No:2

and

Creative Inspirations are looking for sparkle this week

There is quite a lot of bling on this card. One of the BP's, the tag and the row of red gems is from the Anna Griffin blog candy I won from lovely Stephanie (Stamping & Sharing)



Thank you for stopping by and for all the lovely comments you have been leaving.
They are really appreciated :-) I hope you'll call again

x

Spongebob and friends

A5

For my grandson who will be 7 next week...like the big No: is a bit of a clue, eh, hahaha)

The challenge at the Allsorts Challenge Blog is to make something for a child, so A's birthday is just at the right time




I know there are lots of wonderful images/stamps for children out there and I've got a few, but he likes Spongebob, so Spongebob it is, lol

The BIG no.7 is once again done in wordart and handcut in silver holographic card...Spongebob and friends are courtesy of Google

Thanks for stopping by and for all the lovely comments you have left me.
I hope you'll visit again

x

65th Birthday Card

150mm sq

This is for our friend and neighbour across the road.
It doesn't fit any challenges that I know of.
I have used bits and bobs of paper left over from other projects but they all co-ordinated so I'm happy about that.
I did the numbers in Word and hand cut them and matted them on to some silver mirri card.



My blog candy winners parcel arrived from Kym on Saturday. There is such lot of lovely goodies.
Thank you Kym :-).
Amongst them is a set of Penny Black stamps and I have used the musical notes embossed in gold on the number 6. This is quite appropriate because Alan likes music.
The first BP is embossed with both the CB words folder and swiss dots and the edges inked with ColorBox Creamy Brown which was also in my parcel.

Close up, though the colours are off!!!



Thank you for stopping by and any comment you would like to leave will be really appreciated. Hope to see you again soon

x

Panel Christmas card

The first challenge by Magical Crafts Fortnightly Challenge is to make a Christmas card and an ornament to match.
I haven't managed to do an ornament, but so as not to be a party pooper I'll just enter this card.
There is a colour scheme too - to use red, green and gold




The panels are embossed with CB Swiss Dots and the flower is another from one of Jak's free Build aBlossom downloads

Thanks for visiting and for any comments you have time to leave...every one is appreciated.
Hope to see you again soon :-)

x

Wedding Anniversary

Phone call from daughter this morning.....'Can you do me a birthday card for Louise and a 30th Wedding Anniversary card'....'When for?'.....'Today!!'
Nothing like giving me a bit of notice lol
The birthday card had to come from my stock, then a quick look at the current challenges and I made this WA card.

I used the sketch from Mojo Monday
Our Creative Corner wants to see something vintage
The Pink Elephant colour challenge - Brown, Yellow, Neutral and Color of your choice
Rainbow Lady's challenge 79 is Anniversary
Allsorts Challenge 25 is anything to do with weddings
Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog - Ann has started a new challenge blog and the very first challenge is Celebrate.
Good luck, Ann with your new venture...I am sure it is going to be a great successs :-)




Lots of pearls to go with 30th anniversary, some lace and a bit of sparkle on the star
I think this fits the criteria for all six challenges so I am happy :-)



Thanks for popping in and I hope you will visit again

x