From little acorns.....

I am a happy bunny today because my darling hubby finally got round to putting up the mirror and pictures I have been plaguing him to do for three weeks.  To let you know we have had a bit of a makeover in our house.  It started with a worn patch in the carpet and ended up as a completely new sitting room and dining room.  I feel we have finally dragged ourselves into the 21st century.  I even bought some 'modern' art work for the wall. After being married for nearly 26 years I have learned to be patient (he would definitely disagree with me there). DIY is definitely not his forte.  Now all I need to do is persuade him to put up curtain poles for the new curtains...... watch this space!
Meanwhile I have been busy making what I can only describe as criss-cross cards. There must be a technical term for them, but I really enjoyed making them. We learned how to make them at Kate's craft class, so thanks Kate.
Here's the one we made first...

Looks more complicated than it is.  Some measuring, folding and cutting and voila!  More complicated to explain than it was to make.
Here are two more...


Cupcake Wishes Papers used were from a pad called The Sweet Stack, and looked good enough to eat. I punched some flowers and used patterned buttons from my stash.  I cut the lettering using Sizzix ' Man o' Man' dies

Happy Birthday to Someone Who is Nuts About Bolts

I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder for the gear effect,and distress inked patches of Stormy Skies and Dusty Concord. A Kanban gears set of stamps on mirrored card with Stazon ink for the gears and the small tools stamps I have had for years. I added a few brads. I was quite happy with the effect.   I wonder which man in my life it would suit best?  Not my hubby that's for sure!

Another day, another dollar

Back to work today, and despite the inclement weather, I actually walked. (A whole 10 minutes!) downhill all the way there.  I was really chuffed  because I have been promising myself that I would start my 'fitness regime' for ages.  I always manage to find an excuse to take the car - shopping, bank etc, but I had no such excuse today. Needless to say my resolve dissolved when my good friend Debbie offered me a lift home. Well... it is uphill all the way home.  Small steps....

Anyway I thought I would try my hand at another challenge.  This time it is from the http://sugarbowlblog.blogspot.co.uk/ i.e.
Challenge No 82 Scrolls and swirls

I have used a scalloped edged white card, Ruby Slipper BazzillBasics paper, a white doilly, Strawberry Pip stamp, punched flowers and some gold coloured scrolls from my stash. I used ProMarkers to colour her in. She is definitely one of my favourite girls.

Cheeky!

'Just nipping out to the craft shop dear, won't be long'  Hello again, just been up to Papercrafts to spend half of my 'National' winnings. Spent ages trying to decide (and chatting to Kate), and eventually plumped for a lovely Martha Stewart deep edge punch, something I wouldn't normally have bought, but then it's money I wouldn't normally have had.
Just finished making a birthday card for my good friend Debbie, who is not into crafting and is in no danger of seeing this blog.  She recently returned from an all expenses paid 5 star holiday to Lanzarote full of funny stories, like when she decided to have a jacuzzi bath. She filled the tub, emptied all the bubble mixture into it and turned it on. Lots and lots of bubbles, The only thing was the water wasn't quite covering the jets which resulted in all the bubbles being blown across the bathroom! A bit like when the washing machine goes loopy!

Anyway, I couldn't resist the temptation and this is what I made.
I used a Jolly Nation Decoupage 3D sheet and adapted it slightly. I swapped the glass of wine for a pint of lager and the book for a Kindle. So Debbie! The speech bubble reads `Who needs a Jacuzzi... after 3 Carlsbergs I can make my own bubbles!' I stamped loads of bubbles using Anita's bubble stamp, coloured them in with Pro Markers and, although it's not clear in the picture, I brushed some Perfect Pearls over them to give them a bit of a sheen. Hope she likes it.  (must get the camera fixed)

My first challenge attempt...

Another first for me as I am about to attempt to enter a card making challenge. Haven't got a clue what to do exactly, but I know a son who does. Here goes.
http://www.ribbongirls.blogspot.co.uk/  Colour Challenge #18 using the colours Orange Pink and Aqua.

I used papers from my stash, a small Koi Carp stamp which I have had for years and use now and again, Shapeabilities Bitty Blossoms die for the lotus flowers and some gems Again I apologise for the photos as Graham's camera is not performing, and mine is basically rubbish.

What a Grand National that was!

Well it's tradition in our house to pick some horses for the big race of the year. I usually take a quick glance at the names and pick three that I fancy the sound of.  After I had done that I then discovered that two of them  didn't sound like they would last the course and my husband had picked them too so I changed my mind, studied the form (lol) and plumped for Treacle,( cos I like the taste), Organised Confusion (me to a tee) and for some unknown reason Neptune Collanges. The first two ran backwards and the third beat my son's horse by a nostril!  I am £40 better off, or rather Papercrafts will be when it opens on Monday. Kerching!!

All good things must come to an end

Well this is the last day of my holidays and it's back to the grindstone tomorrow. I can't complain, I have managed to fit quite a lot into my fortnight, including a 5 day trip away to Edinburgh to see my daughter,  watch a really great game of rugby ,lots of shopping and generally doing the tourist thing. But the downside of going away is coming home to all the washing that seems to have accumulated and withdrawal symptoms from not crafting for 5 days!
I had a request from a friend to make a simple golfing card for her 80year old uncle and another for an 18year old rock chick/diva who is into the arts, purple and black lace. Here is what I produced (the photos are not great as Graham went off with my camera on Saturday). See what you think.....

Well, here goes! This is my first attempt at a post

Since I am now on holiday, and since I have time on my hands (in theory) I am going to attempt to post my first entry on my blog. Kate - this is down to you!
A Cluster of Butterflies

This card I made for my brother and sister-in-law's anniversary, so if either of them happen to see it before the actual date I apologise in advance. The basic idea was from a card I saw on Pinterest( and if I knew how to link to it I would, that's lesson 2 of posting a blog)
A5 white pearl card with a panel of the same card embossed with a Sizzix embossing folder. The large and medium and small butterflies are Stampin' Up stamp and cut set and the very small ones are from a freebie set of stamps all coloured with ProMarkers. A bit of ribbon from my stash and a Spellbinders bookplate die for the sentiment. I added a few coloured stones to finish. Hope they like it.