CHOCOLATE & COOL BLUES...

Today when my dad came round to see me, he asked if I could make him a Thank You card. So I decided to do one using the same colours and papers as the Bookmark. I just love these colours at the moment!!



I used DCVW Retro Papers, DCVW Neutral and Brights Matt Stack. I made holes on the blue card using a needle and a ruler and then hand stitched in brown thread. I inked round the edges of the letters with my Dark Brown ColorBox Fluid Chalk Inkpad (that's a bit of a mouthful) and then tied some ribbon round the 'U' and used sticky fixers to raise the letters up.



The letters I used were printed off my computer and then cut out. I then stuck the DCVW Retro Paper over the top then cut them out again. I really didn't want to use the HOTP Monograms that I have - I prefer to stroke them!!!!

CAN SHARE NOW

I can share this with you now as I know it has been received.

This is the bookmark that I made for the Crafts Beautiful Swap and the lovely Sewdelish was the person to receive it.

The papers used were DCVW Retro Prints and I also used DCVW Matt Stack. I made the card and attached the bookmark to it with the ribbons and also stamped ENJOY under the bookmark using my Studio G Stamps, so when you moved it you could see the enjoy part. I printed the poem out onto matching card and then layered it. I punched a hole, added a flower, then an eyelet and then threaded the ribbon through so the bookmark can be removed from the card.

The poem on it reads:-

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The Miracle of Friendship

There's a miracle called friendship

that dwells within the heart,

and you don't know how it happens

or how it gets to start...

But the happiness it brings you

always gives a special lift

and you realise that friendship is

God's most precious gift.

- Author Unknown -

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And this is the lovely one I got from Sewdelish. I love the paper she has used and also the paper pricking around the border.

So thanks you - it is being used at this very moment as I have just started reading TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

Ooops its Wednesday Already

Cant believe we are half way through the week already and I havent posted since Sunday!

Well I have been having a little tidy up of my 'craft stash' - just trying to sort it all out into easy, accessible boxes, sorting my papers out - you know the stuff!!! Its has taken ages.
I sit and moan at my hubby saying that I dont have enough stuff/or I need this and that, but when I started sorting it out i was finding papers, brads, stickers etc that I forgot I had.

So - before i buy any more papers, ribbons, flowers - I am going to start using up the stuff I have already got. So be prepared for some strange creations.

First Up!
This is made using the DCWV Paper Stack - now i only started using this a few weeks back and now I am not that keen on it. I think with this one its more the colours I dont like.
I made a simple frame and covered some flowers in matching papers, and used 3d foam pads on the back.



Now this one - great idea to start with - then down hill from when I stuck the first paper on. Dont know what happened but just didnt turn out the way I wanted it to.
The paper is from my LCS - but I have no idea the make. The flower is cut out from another sheet of the same makers paper. The ribbon was free with a magazine and I also used my Studio G Stamp.



My eldest said she will have this one - because she thinks its strange???? She says the ribbon does funny things to her eyes!

SO as I said there may be some REALLY strange stuff being posted on here - but bear with me as I get rid of my stash.

SWAPPING STUFF

Finally finished my bookmark for the swap (my first)!!

Over on the Crafts Beautiful forum there is a bookmark swap going on and the deadline is the 18th March for them to be in. I know I have made mine early but with the other card order to start on and my daughters birthday card to finish I thought I better pull my finger out and get it done.

So here is a little sneaky peek at what I have made!



Now I must have done something right as even hubby likes it - if he doesnt like something I have made, he lets me know.



So I am pleased with the way it came out and I hope whoever gets it is also happy with it. So hopefully this will be in the post tomorrow and be on its way to Jules.

If you are wondering whats has happened to the photos, well I had a little play with the contrast and colour on them and I really like the way they have turned out.

ITS SUNDAY

Hello to a beautiful sunny day here in North West of England. Hubby has taken the youngest out shopping and my eldest is out playing with her friends. I was up early this morning and managed to get a lot done. So maybe just maybe i might get some more cards made this afternoon.

This card I made last night before I sat down to watch the Will Smith film Pursuit Of Happyness. I really enjoyed it and Will Smith was great. But it did drag out a bit, but there were some moving moments in the film and i just loved the bit when he got the job.



I had drawn a sketch for this card from an idea off someones blog - but for the life of me I cant remember who's (so if anyone can let me know that would be great). I know its not the best card but its nice and simple, and thats the way I like it.

JUST BEX CHALLENGE

Just Bex Challenge No. 3 - Recipe.
We would like you to incorporate the following into a card, ATC, LO etc
1 Ribbon
2 Blooms
3 Different Patterned Papers



So here is my effort - yes I used the same layout again as the cards that I have been making, but I have added the extra 3rd paper to tie in with the challenge. The colours of the card seem so dull and dark, but I was determined to get this card done today, so, I never messed about with the papers and grabbed the first 3 that I came too.

The enjoy bit was a bit of a pain as when I stamped it the white ink was naff so I went over it with a gel pen to make it stand out more.
I am going to have a go at some of the other challenges - so hopefully I will have some more stuff to show you all.

2 NEW CARDS

Made these 2 cards this afternoon sat at my window in beautiful sunshine. I kept the design the same as the last 2 cards that I did, as I really like the simple layout.

I really love the colours on this one as its so vibrant!!
I raised the flower etc on 3d foam pads - (will cost a small fortune to send in the post - hahehahe)

I used DCWV Mat Stack Brights and also DCWV Paper Pack - matchmakers 2

Ummmm. This one I'm not too sure on the colours or the flower (I think it looks fat and also too busy). For the stem I twisted some ribbon.


I used DCWV Retro Prints Paper stack and also DCWV Brights Mat Stack.

It was also nice being able to take photos in the sunshine rather than late at night as i usually do.

FORGOT TO SAY - Over on Just Bex forum they are having a Big Challenge Week starting tonight.

WOO HOO

I am on a card making streak.

I made some more cards last night which brings my total up to 17. I can't remember the last time I made so many cards. I have had a great time making them.




I have now bagged them up ready to be sold. My dad has said he will buy 4 off me and hopefully the rest will go with my best mate to her work and see if she can sell some for me.



UPDATE

Went to the doctors yesterday about my knee. He gave me information sheets about Osteoarthritis Of The Knee and also prescribed me Dicloflex to help with inflammation and pain. He has also told me to exercise my Quadriceps Muscles at the front of my thigh.
If it doesn't get any better, he said that i would have to make an appointment to see the physiotherapist. So fingers crossed doing the exercises will help the problem.

HOPE YOU ARE SITTING DOWN

YES - I have made some cards



Because the weather was REALLY bad today - rain and more rain - I thought I would have a play about and do some cards.



They were really quick to do and I have to say I LUV them little STUDIO G stamps. I am really bad at stamping but these little things are great. I bought them from ArtyMiss.



Some of the papers are from the DCWV Adhesive Paper Prints Pad and the others are from my LCS - and once again I dont know who the maker is (no name)



Sorry for the state of the piccies but I took them earlier when I had no natural light.

FIRST OF ALL

HAPPY NEW YEAR
I cant believe its the 8th of January already and I havent posted anything since the 7th December. How bad is that?

Have been very busy here at home with Crimbo and such. Kids had a wonderful time (spoilt rotten again). This picture was taken on Christmas Eve when they were both in great moods (that doesnt happen here much!)



I have actually managed to make some cards as well - which is rare for me at the moment.



The paper is from a DCWV Paper Stack that I got at Christmas from my dad.



This card I made for the lady who owns my LCS - hope she likes it! Her birthday was today. She is such a lovely lady. If you are reading this Vicky I hope you had a wonderful day - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!



I dont know the maker of this paper but I thought it was gorgeous.