Carols in Summer

I have been seeing so many of you starting making Xmas cards I thought I had better give it a go.

So here is my first Christmas card of 2011

And another

Now I have started I had better go do some more!

If you are in Britain.........enjoy your Bank Hols x

Products used:

Craft creations paper

Woodware punches

Disress Ink-burned Corduroy

Versa magic chalk ink-cloud white

Clear magic stamps



Happy Birthday Chloe

Another Birthday celebration today. Today my niece Chloe becomes a teenager. Here she is before her party looking stunning.

As you can see she is becoming very grown up and now is taller than her Mum and me-although both of us being 5ft 2" is not so hard. She has a love of bangles and as the photo shows I have no idea how she manges to lift her arms! Still at 13 she is gorgeous looking and I am very proud to be her Aunt.

I made this card for her. I wanted to make a fashion card but couldn't use my shoe or handbag stamps as these had been used for her Mum and cousin so I decided to use the dress stamp. I stamped the dress a few times and coloured it in using promakers and then cut them out. I had been wanted to try out the idea of dresses hanging on a line so used baker's twine for the line and flower brads to hold up the line. The card is from Craft creations. I thought it looked like the sky so would be the perfect backing for Chloe's card.
Have a great day Chloe xx

Pretty Notelets

Today I wanted to show you a pack of cards that I made as a present for my Aunt. I got the idea from Lynn ,my cousin, who sent me a pack of notelets which I loved and found really useful. I looked everywhere in England for the plastic boxes that notelets come in but could not find them. In the end Lynn sent me some over from America so now I intend on making notelets for presents as often as I can. I think making a box of notelets for friends and family is special and I hope those that I send them to enjoy receiving them! Guess this could be a Xmas idea for a few friends??

Happy Birthday Stuart

Today is my brother Stuart's birthday. He is the eldest of my 2 younger brothers.

He is a caring and kind (although firey!) brother who has always been there for me when I have needed him. He is married to Linda and has 2 adorable children.
Here he is with his son Scott-good looking pair heh??

And here I am with his daughter Hannah-better looking pair for sure!

I made this card for him using various 'woodware' punches and a mixture of 'stampin' up paper plus paper from cards given to me-waste not-want not! I have tried to use colours that I thought suitable for a guy.
The design is one I have used from one of my cousin Lynn's cards. She has great ideas and I often use her cards as a template-why not learn from the experts? Her blog is well worth a visit Mango Boys and Me

Happy Birthday Bro xx

Piano Man

Hi All

Hope you are all enjoying a chill out Sunday.

Today I have had fun making this card for the My Time Made Easy challenge sketch 23 and for Rainbow Lady's  'Song of your choice' challenge-my choice being 'Piano Man'. I have been wanting to use the piano stamp as it so clean and simple but wanted to add keyboards as a strip but had no stamps or paper for this. So I took a photo of Callum's, my husband, keyboards and edited the photo on my computer to make these strips. I printed them and then mounted them on black card. It did take quite a few hours but hours that were fun and frustrating!

Hubby is now doing a BBQ so off to sample the burnt offering

Home Sweet Home

On our drive home from a holiday our family would sing a song that went like this

'H' stands for happiness that we all love
'O' stands for over in the old arm chair
'M' stands for Mother you're never find another no matter where you roam
'E' stands for everyone and everyone loves 'H' 'O' 'M' 'E' home home 'H' 'O' 'M' 'E'

I always loved this song and still do, it reminds me of my family and my home.

I was reminded of this song when I was making this card for our new neighbour.
I have used 'stampin up' paper.

Just popping in to share with you a card I have done for the Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge
http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/

This week you had to also use the colours Green, Blue and White on your card. I think this is a card I will use for one of my male relatives as the colours are perfect for a guy.

And another Family photo to share. Today my wonderful Mum is starring. Her she is with me sheltering from the cold at Lisa's 40th. 

Lisa's 40 at last!

Hello all

At last the younger of my 2 sister-in-laws made it to 40 and boy did she have a party to celebrate.
All the family got together for a few drinks to celebrate her day.
She enjoyed a few glasses of wine and then a few more.
Here she is with me sporting a very fetching new sash!

Also this weekend my very dear Uncle Tony saw in 72 with a bottle of champagne and a dip in the hot tub with my very special Dad-they are both in their seventh decade but with the energy and fun of teenagers.

My card today is one that I made for my Dad's Birthday. I have embossed the golf bag stencil and then papered the bag and flag before adding glamour glitter to the golf clubs.

I have entered the card into this week challenge on http://mytimemadeeasy.com/blog/ .

My U.S cousin Lynn is a designer on this site and this week she is celebrating her 19th Wedding anniversary-so this week is one long celebration for our family.

Rainy London Days

Hi all

Today the rain is pouring in London so to brighten up my day I decided to have a go at another challenge. I found the Tuesday Morning Sketch at http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/

So again I used a a wooden stamp that I have not used before-my cousin Paula gave me a bag full of stamps and goodies that she didn't want anymore, so I am gradually working my way through the bag.

I love these colours-it reminds me of Summer and cotton candy.

Hope the sun is shining where you are and if I hope my card brightens your day.

My First Challenge

Today I have had a go at my first card challenge. I have been looking around at different challenges and decided on having a go at  http://justusgirlschallenge.blogspot.com/ sketch challenge.

I needed to make a card for my Mother-in Law, Jean, for her Birthday. She loves cats so I thought this stamp was purrrrfect for her! I have had this paw ribbon for a while and have been itching to use it and finally I have had the chance. Also I had just got hold of the versamagic chalk ink to print on dark card so this was another new purchase I used on this card.

So I guess today was a day for a few 'firsts' for me.

Family fun

Well I managed to make it to day 2 of blogging.
Today was special as we met up with family both from here and America. The last time I saw my cousin Mark and his wife Laura from the U.S was 13 years ago at their wedding-which is on my Birthday-a small fact that they had forgotten. They are excused as I guess on your wedding day the fact it is your cousin's Birthday is not a high priority!

 Above is Olivia, Mark,me and Laura. And below Mary,me and Anne

We had a drink whilst watching the buskers and then a shop naturally. We left them following the yellow brick road to the theatre to see the Wizard of Oz.

Today I share with you a card that I made for my Mum's friends Birthday. Both my parents and many of their friends are golfing freaks so I thought this stamp would be appropriate plus I love the colour combination-I am sure you will see this combination again.

This is my very first visit into the world of blogging.
Today I want to share with you a card I made recently for my very dear friend Phaedra. It is her Birthday on Monday and this year she has every reason to celebrate as she is now engaged to her lovely Andrew. They have chosen to marry on the anniverary of Wills and Kate next year 29th April. But there will be no being outstaged by the Bridesmaids at this wedding as Pheds is sure to outshine all. I am looking forward to pinning money onto her dress as she is having a real Big very non fat Greek wedding.