Birthday Wishes

I'm a bit late showing this card, almost as late as it was in getting to it's recipient, Michelle.

I've used on of my new Elzybells stamps and got the inspiration for this creation from one of Michelle's own cards

Supplies:

Stamps: Butterfly Ted & Everyday Greetings - Elzybells

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copics; CS: SU Whisper White & Bazzil Basics

Tools: Circle nestabilities, Swiss Dots CB Folder

Embellishments: Gems - Papermania, Ribbon - Meiflower

I'm sorry for the poor photo, this was taking really early in the morning and I didn't realise how poor it was until I looked at it on my pc. Even with a daylight lamp, it still looks poor.

I'm currently trying to get some bits organised for this fair in July and have been stamping out lots of images ready for colouring, so I apologise if I go missing for a while. I am really nervous about doing this so any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

Hope everyone is enjoying the glorious weather again. Thank you for stopping by, your support and encouraging comments mean so very much.

xx :0)

CCT 62 - Bit O'Bling

This weeks challenge over on Cute Card Thursday is Bit O'Bling. All you need is to have some form of bling (gems, jewels etc) somewhere on your card.

I was asked by a colleague at work to may an anniversary card for her friends and I immediately knew what I wanted to do. Some of you may recognise the layout for a previous card I made, but I just love the layout and style for a romantic card. I thing you'll be able to spot the bling!!

Supplies:

Stamps: You're a Treasure - Penny Black; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics

CS: Papermania; Tools: Love Language CB folder, Circle Nestabilities, PC

Embellishments: Ribbon and Ribbon Slider - Wild Orchid Crafts, Gems - Papermania

My colleague is fast becoming my biggest customer as she asks me for every card at the moment! In fact, I've already got a list for more in the future. It's certainly helped with confidence in my cards that people really do want to pay me for them.

I'm so glad it's Friday tomorrow as, even though it's been a short week work-wise, it's felt like such a long week!! Bozzy has to go back to the vets on Saturday to have a blood test to check his thyroid levels and see whether his medication needs adjusting. I've been telling him all about it, but he looks at me like I'm mad!

I hope everyone is having a good week. Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are much appreciated.

xx :0)

At Last Some Cards

I hope everybody has been enjoying the gorgeous weather we've had so far this bank holiday weekend! Isn't it lovely to see sunshine and blue skies.

The cards I'm about to show you have been made for a few days, but I've not really had the time to post them due to other commitments.

The first card was for a friends birthday last weekend. She loves purple and cats, so I couldn't resist using this Penny Black stamp. I'm not sure if it's just meant to be for Xmas, but I thought it looked good for a birthday card too.

Supplies:

Stamp: Whiskers & Fur - Penny Black; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics

CS: Papermania; Tools: Labels 3 Nestabilities, Swiss Dots CB Folder

Embellishments: Ribbon - Stash, Flowers - Prima, Sentiment - CWC, Gems - Papermania

The next card I made for an outstanding card marker who recently graduated after qualifying as a nurse. This can of course only be Michelle Short of the Card Grotto. It gave me the chance to use one of my new Elzybells stamps. I was pleased with my colouring on this image, using 3 different shades of grey to achieve an almost black look. Hopefully Michelle has received this by now. Sorry for the poor photo, it was taken early in the morning using my daylight lamp.

Supplies

Stamps: Grad Girl and Sentiment - Elzybells; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copics

CS: Core'dinations; Tools: Rectangle Nestabilities, MS Doily Lace Punch

Embellishments: Ribbon - Stash, Gems - Papermania

The final card was a quick one that a colleague at work asked for. It was for a lady celebrating a birthday in her 80's so wasn't meant to be too cutesy. I used some more of the floral die cuts that I got at the NEC as I thought it would be perfect for this occasion.

I'm in the process of working on 3 more cards that are all needed for this week so hopefully I will be able to post them shortly. I'm also dying to play with my new goodies from Elzybells. If you've not already done so, you must check out the latest releases that Elizabeth has on offer, including a special price on Koh-i-noor pencils. I have been very naughty but, as it's my birthday in a couple of weeks, I thought I deserved a little treat!!

Enjoy the rest of your bank holiday weekend. Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Request for a help!

Hello, I know I've not been around much just recently and I apologise for that. I do have some more cards to show, but I'm at my parents this evening so I'm grabbing a crafty few mins on my dads laptop! Hopefully I will be able to show them over the next few days.

I do have a request for some assistance and I'm hoping that you might be able to point me in the right direction. Nikola and I are braving a fair again, this time in July at a local primary school. As it's before the school breaks up I thought about doing some little thank you bits for the children to give to their teachers. I was just wondering if anyone knows where I might be able to get some images for teachers and also any suggestions as to what I could create.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

PTW Challenge - Animal Antics

We've certainly had a few "animal antics" in our house the last couple of days! The vets confirmed that Bozzy does have an over-active thyroid and will need medication for the rest of his life. They also think he's got a slight infection so have given us 5 days on antibiotics to administer. How difficult could it be to give two little tablets twice a day?!?! Very difficult when that little man doesn't want to open his mouth!!! We tried hiding them in food, whipped cream, chicken, but he just eats the food and spits them out! I hate upsetting him, but he has to have them otherwise he will become very ill. Hopefully it will get easier with time.

This weeks challenge over at Papertake Weekly is Animal Antics. Your card, or project should include an animal of some sorts. This card was made for my best friend, Lorna's twin sister and I thought I would enter into the challenge. One of my new PB stamps that I purchased at the NEC got it's first outing.

Supplies:

Stamp: Friendly Surprise - Penny Black; Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics; CS: Papermill

Embellishment: Ribbon - Meiflower; Tools: Oval Nestabilites, D'vine Swirls CB folder, Sizzix corner dies

I'm sorry for my lack of blog-hopping the last week or so. I promise that I will try and get round every one's blogs in the next few days and see all the wonderful things you've been up to.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

A Gift For You

Bozzy was very brave for his visit to the vets this morning, only whined a couple of times. The vet thinks that he may have an over-active thyroid and a slight touch of heart disease as his heart was beating irregularly. They took some blood from him to test and we'll get the results on Monday. Aside from that, she thought he was in remarkable shape for his age (he's 18 in human years, 126 in cat years!). He's now sleeping peacefully in his donut!

I have another card to show you from the host of birthday's I've had this month. This one is for one of my best friends, Lorna. I've used some of the SU! goodies I recently purchased from Julie Japes and I'm really pleased with how it's turned out.

Supplies:

Stamp: Guess What? - Penny Black ; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics and Rangers Inkessential

CS: Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal - SU!; Tea Party DP - SU!

Embellishments: So Saffron grosgrain ribbon - SU!, Papermania gems, CWC oval

Tools: Labels 1 nestabilites, Swiss Dots DB Folder

I was especially pleased with how the lil mouse turned out as I've struggled to get the right colour combo with copics for them. Unfortunately, I stupidly forgot to write down the colours I'd used so will have to try again next time! D'oh!

I'm currently watching my boys, Reading, in the 1st leg of their play-off semi-final against Burnley. It's 0-0 at the moment, but we really need to score as our home form has been so disappointing since February. Keep your fingers crossed!

I hope everyone is having a good weekend. Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you might leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

New Chat Box

Boy, am I glad it's Friday! I've been struggling on at work all this week with a horrible sinus infection. I eventually succumbed and went to the doctors last night who prescribed me some antibiotics after telling me that I looked terrible! My glands are are really swollen in my neck and I have to admit, I don't look great, but I still went to work today! I know, I'm stupid! I heard it all from people at work, including my brilliant line manager.

Anyway, my reason for posting was to let you know that I've joined the club and added a Chat Box to my blog. Please stop by and say hi or, if you've any questions, ask away.

Bozzy's off to the vets tomorrow. After thinking that he'd started to get an appetite again, it transpires that all the food that's been being eaten over night is down to another cat! Jon caught it last night as the cat flap went, but Bozzy was curled up next to us! Poor little man!!

Hope everyone is okay. Have a good weekend and thank you for stopping by.

xx :0)

Purr-fect Dad!

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. Jon and I were playing with his new "toys". I got him a new iPod and a USB turntable for his birthday so we were having a go at putting some of his vinyl singles onto the iPod.

He loved his card, especially the sentiment, but my mum told me off for it not being very romantic!

Bozzy asked me to make a card for him to give to his daddy and I couldn't refuse his adorable face (he's our cat for anyone who's confused)!

Supplies

Stamp: X-Large Love - Penny Black

Ink: Copics, Memento

CS: SU! Bashful Blue - Can't remember the other blue

Tools: Nestabilities, Love CB folder, CWC sentiment, Fiskars Threading Water punch, Papermania Gems, Ribbon - stash

I was really pleased with the shading on the jumper with the copics. I think I might slowly be getting the hang of these gorgeous pens. I've been using Bristol Board as my base for stamped images and find that it does help to blend the inks cleanly although it can be quite porous.

Jon thought it very sweet to receive this card from our little man, especially as he's been a bit poorly at the moment. He's got an appointment at the vets on Saturday, so keep your fingers crossed.

Hope everyone has had a good evening. Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave as they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #47 - Shapes

I hope everyone is enjoying their bank holiday weekend. I was until we lost to Birmingham FC in the football! We had a very slim chance of getting automatic promotion back to the Premiership if we won, but, unfortunately, we lost 2-1 and now have to fight it out in the play-offs. I've been to two play-off finals with Reading and each time we've lost, so I'm really hoping that it might be 3rd time lucky!

It's Jon's birthday tomorrow, so I think it is safe to show his card now. I decided against going for romantic card this year and went with a little bit of humour! I adore these PB cats and sentiments. This sentiment is actually one stamp, but I thought I'd break it up, so it wasn't so bulky.

Supplies

Stamps -Like it or not (image), Another Birthday (sentiment) - Penny Black; Inks - Copics, Memento; CS - Core'dinations, Bristol Board; Tools - Distress Strips CB folder, Labels 1 nesties

I'm hoping this is eligible for this weeks Penny Black Saturday Challenge which is to use 3 different shapes on your entry. I've got the labels die, the rectangular sentiments and circular brads.

Fingers crossed Jon likes it! I'll let you know tomorrow. Thank you for stopping by and any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)