Your Challenge Cards

Good Sunday Morning Ladies,

Please join me in welcoming Nicki (Karen's friend) to our lovely Blog family, Nicki has been looking in for a while and has finally taken the plunge and taken part in our weekly challenge, I was so excited when Karen told me, Nicki has made 4 amazing cards for this weeks challenge.

Welcome Nicki, I am so happy that you took the plunge and joined us, I am truly blessed to have the most amazing, kind & caring group of friends that check in daily to catch up with each other, it's unique as far as blogs go and I love it, I also love sharing everyone's work, whatever it is, so please keep the photo's coming.  I will let the ladies introduce themselves, that goes for you too Victoria.

So let's see what you have all been making for this week's TicTacToe Challenge.......

Nicki

Nicki absolutely blew me away by sharing 4 cards for her first ever challenge, they are amazing cards too..

1. Nicki's first card features categories Metallic/Stripes /Die cut

What a fantastic Party Invitation Nicki, adding the little gems for the Champagne Bubbles was a touch of genius.

2. Features categories: Die cut/Yellow/Floral

Such a pretty card, perfect for an Anniversary or Get well soon, such a pretty card.

3. Features categories: Stripes/Die Cut/Free

What an amazing 30th Birthday card Nicki. 

4. Features categories: Floral (embossing)/Die Cut/Stripes 

Another gorgeous card, as before its great for Anniversary, Valentine or Romantic Birthday.

Four absolutely amazing cards Nicki, thank you so much for taking part.  If you have any ideas for a challenge just let me know!!

XXX

Victoria

How bright and cheerful is Victoria's challenge card this week, a fabulous Birthday card, using categories: Yellow/Floral/metallic.

Victoria has  created a pretty floral  background by randomly stamping with a little flower stamp, then adding Gold Embossing powder, that  beautiful yellow flower is made with Pineapple Punch card and the Daisy Punch, I love the yellow & Green combo Victoria, is the Green 'call me clover'? 

Thank you so much for taking a

Part again this week, i look forward to seeing what you make next week , if there is a particular challenge you would like to see let me know.

XXX

Karen

Karen has designed 3 fantastic cards, all completely different, great to see a Christmas card appearing on the line up.

Here is Karen's description....

"Here’s two cc The man one I’ve done before but have changed bits and decoupaged it differently this time All from Serif and a Tim Holtz die STRIPES:METALLIC:DIE CUT or BANNER 

The second was inspired by Lisa Horton on Hochanda The Flights of Fancy die has been cut from a PP background The other dies are SW too

YELLOW:DIE CUT:FREE

Karen's third card description:

METALLIC:DIE CUT:STRIPES

The sentiment is one of the new dies you showed today mounted on white which again is a die cut but I cut it into 2 and scored one part every 1/2 centimetre on my Hougie It’s a shame the photo doesn’t really pick it up and of course the metallic is silver mirri board and silver ribbon I had in my stash"

Thank you so much Karen for taking part and designing 3 amazing cards. 

Thank you also for introducing Nicki to our blog family.

XXX

 Michele

Michele has made a really pretty 'thanks'  ard for this weeks challenge.  It uses categories: Yellow /Stripes/Thanks. 

Here is Michele's description:

"I use Done very old papers from Making Cards magazine, a Cuttlebug die for the sentiment & a few Peel off sparkly dots."

Thank you so much for taking part.

XXX

Janet

Janet managed to fit in making a beautiful challenge card before setting off for Marigny, it uses categories: Floral/Metallic/Free.

Such a pretty card Janet, those metallic butterflies are gorgeous.

Thank you so much for taking part, fingers crossed that your laptop functions ok this time, our line up just isn't complete without your cards.

XXX

 Lilian

Lilian has designed another beautiful floral Birthday card for this weeks challenge, Using categories: Floral/Metallic/Free

Thank you so much Lilian for another stunning challenge card.

XXX

 Val

Omg, how cute and adorable are Val's cards?? I love them both Val, trouble is I wouldn't want to send them to anyone!!

Here is Val's description....

"I had to make a box of cat cards this week so made two with the cc in mind.

No1 die cut , floral and free kitten photo.
No 2 yellow,  die cut and free kitten photo."

Thank you so much for taking part and bringing a huge smile to my face.

XXX

Lynda

Lynda has designed a gorgeous 'especially for you' card using stamps those lovely Card Making Magic cards that were free on a magazine last month, i think a few if us bought them.

Here is Lynda's description......

"My Cc floral yellow & free

I went over base card with fossilised Amber & fired brick
I had a piece of  parchment in my stash I stamped the rose stamp a free card making magic set with a mag. Onto it. Coloured with a yellow Cc pen I then stamped the rose on some white card twice coloured in same yellow pen I mounted them together & glued it to the edge of my card.
Stamped sentiment cut out with SW fag die. Added a few sequins. Xx
I absolutely love your card Lynda,  thankyou so much for supporting the challenge.

XXX

Well Ladies, what can I say?! I think this display of cards is one of our best for variety of designs and occasions covered by the cards we have made.

Thank you all so very much, you all know by now how much I appreciate you taking part each week.

Any ideas for next weeks challenge?? 

Is it too early to start Christmas challenges? 

Matt is still in hospital, having bloods done this morning to check CRP, fingers crossed they have started to come down.

I hope you all have a lovely Sunday,

Love and Hugs,

Sandra

xxxxxx

Mixed Craft Saturday

 Lynda

Cheryl

Good Saturday morning Ladies,

I am so excited to share some amazing crafts with you this week, from some of our newest ladies too, Victoria who joined in with our Challenge last week has shared two amazing craft projects, Danielle's daughter Karlie was so delighted to read the lovely comments on her box last week that she made another origami project for this week, how amazing is that, positivity encouraging a youngster to craft fills my heart with joy! 

So without further ado let's get on to the exciting part of the blog........

Lynda heads up the list this week with that absolutely stunning Framed piece of art, it is stunning, I love the Hummingbird background and that beautiful spray of flowers, you have highlighted all of the detail of that lovely frame with Gilding Wax.  Another amazing 'Lynda work of art', you are such an incredibly talented crafter Lynda, you inspire me so much because you will have a go at just about any craft technique and make it work.  I can't wait to see the frame in my hands! 

Thank you so much Lynda for sharing your amazing frame with us.

XXX

Cheryl has allowed me to share with all of you the absolutely stunning Pearl Statue that she bought to Celebrate their Pearl Wedding Anniversary, Cheryl chose this statue as it depicts Pete with his arm around Cheryl shoulder, his hand on hers, it couldn't be more perfect, the lovely sculptor at Midnight Orange agreed to Pearlize it for Cheryl too, what an amazing gesture. 

I don't think you could have found a more perfect piece Cheryl, I am so incredibly grateful that you allowed me to share it with all of our friends here on the blog, 

XXX

Victoria

Victoria has shared two of her recent craft projects, the first is a stunning wreath made with the Stampin'Up! Daisy Punch and stamp set, it must have taken ages to create, I was lucky enough to actually hold it in my hand and the colours were a lot brighter that they appear in a photo. It's also so neatly put together.

Victoria's second project is a gorgeous Floral Frame, using Stampin'Up! Beautiful Bouquet stamps and dies to build a stunning arrangement. it shows that the stamps and dies we all have can be used for so much more than making cards.

Thank you so much Victoria for sharing your craft projects with all of us, I am so thrilled that you found us and decided to join in with our challenges.

XXX

Danielle 

Danielle has been busy making Teacher gifts this week, she made the backing paper with the Very Vintage stamp set, the first set stamped in Lovely Lipstick (new In Colour) and the second set in Blackberry Bliss, the smaller bag is made with Natures Poem Dsp. Any teacher would be delighted to receive these Danielle, it wouldn't matter what was inside them! If you would like to have a go at these fantastic Gift Bags just pop over to Dannii's YouTube channel.

Thanks so much Danielle for sharing your lovely bags.

XXX

Karlie

Karlie was so happy to read all of the lovely comments on her Origami Box last week that she couldn't wait to share another Origami Project with us, she has made an absolutely gorgeous Origami heart, in such a beautiful paper with a delicate floral design, every single one of those folds is perfect, being able to obtain perfect lines and symmetry takes great skill, Karlie you are an amazing crafter, I am so excited to see your next project.  

Thank you so much sweetheart for sharing another fantastic project with us.

XXX

Karen

Karen has finished another one of her gorgeous Crocheted animals, this one is called Penelope the Bear, one of Kerry Lords patterns, Karen has made him with Aran Yarn from Aldi, I love how rich that brown yarn is Karen and the other thing that sets these animals apart is their adorable faces, you seem to capture a perfect expression Karen, I am almost 51 and I would love Penelope sat on my pillow!

Karen has treated herself to some craft goodies this week, John Lockwoods Butterfly Dies and an fantastic collection of Sentiment dies and stamps from Creative Expressions, you have most occasions covered with that collection Karen.

Thank you so much for sharing Penelope and your shopping with us.

XXX

See I told you it was going to be a great Mixed Craft post, I hope that you are all inspired to go and have a play in your craft room!

Thanks again to all of you that took part in today's blog post xxx

Sadly Matt didn't get to come home yesterday as we were all hoping, they removed his cannula and got his Antibiotics from the Pharmacy ready for him to leave but at the last minute his blood test results came back, they had the Doctors very concerned because his CRP had risen dramatically, it was 17 when he was admitted on early hours of Tuesday morning, (normal is less than 1), they put the 17 down to a combination of the infection and his Arthritis, the blood test that they took Friday morning saw his white cell count drop but his CRP rise to way over 200, they think it may be his infection but I don't understand why it was 17 when he was admitted and in full throws of the infection but rose massively to over 200 after 3 day course of intravenous antibiotics!!! Nobody could answer that question either.  He was so desperate to come home too, because his 6th bed move since Tuesday was to a Dementia Ward, he was in a room with 3 other extremely poorly elderly gentleman, that even I found distressing after being sat there for 2 hours, one is shouting and using the 'F' word constantly, another must be in agony as he just groans constantly, Matt was in tears as he felt so sorry for the man, the man in the bed next to him was up all hours and started beating another patient with his slipper as he thought he was intruding in his home, Matt said he nodded off at one point and woke up to a man sat in the chair next to his bed, enough to scare the living daylights out of anyone! Even the nursing staff said that Matt had no place being on that ward, they are geared up for people almost four times Matt's age, we took him a McDonalds to cheer him up, just as we walked into the ward the man opposite had messed his bed and had his hands in it, we decided to take a walk outside and had a picnic!

When we got back they had given Matt his 7th bed in a side room of his own, I can't help to think that the poor chap opposite would have been better in the privacy of a private room though.  We got him moved and settled in and as we were getting ready to leave the night staff were coming on and a few popped their head in to say hi to Matt, he said that he ended up sitting with the Nurses all night as he couldn't sleep, he said they had a great laugh, which gave me a huge sense of relief.  Fingers crossed that his bloods come back better today so that he can maybe be discharged this afternoon or tomorrow.

I can't wait to have him home and poor Harley is missing him so much. 

I hope that you are all having a lovely weekend ladies,

Love and hugs

Sandra

xxxxxx

Something Floral to

Good Morning Ladies,

Another week has whizzed by, in my head its only Tuesday!

Matt is still in hospital, he is currently in his 5th bed, such a waste of money as they strip the bed every time someone uses it, even if they didn't get in the bed, he had 4 beds just yesterday, the poor guy oppisite matt had been in 6 days and in 5 differemt wards, how do you get continuity in care, Matt's between two teams, surgical and medical, who have both made a care plan, both totally different! He wanted to come home last night as he is missing his own bed and this ward he's in now is Geriatric, so nobody his age  and he says they are all making funny noises!!! 

Todays card was made using Balmy Blue and Very vanilla card stock. I die cut the edges of the Balmy Blue card using the New Delicate Lace Edgelits, then i added a narrow mat of Copper Foil card followed by Very vanilla which i embossed with the new Tufted embossing folder. I then die cut a Froral Frame Framelit and some of the foliage that comes with the set to create my focal point, i also cut some elements in the copper foil card to tie the colours together. 

I stamped my sentimnt onto Very vanilla card and embossed wirh Copper Embossing Powder and heat set, i added some die cut Copper Embossed flowers onti my sentiment.  I mounted my finished piece onto a Balmy Blue card base then finished the card with pearls that i had pressed into Versamark and covered with Copper Embossing powder and heated leaving me with copper pearls, i placed these into the dots on the quilted, embossed background.

More hospital visiting today, we were late getting there as we were all at Sophie's Art Exhibition at school.  So many people people attended, we were certainly exhausted by the evening!

I am hoping today will be less  stressed and more relaxed.

I hope you all have a lovely day 

Love ang hugs

Sandra 

xxxxxxxx

Brenda's Anniversary card

Good Morning Ladies, 

Not sure what has happened to the weather this past couple of days, its been a lot cooler and quite breezy here, so frustrating when you want to sit outside and relax.

I had my heart monitor fitted on what turned out to be stressful day/night.  We got home after a very long 11 hour day and i felt completely washed out, i had felt odd all day as in feeling under the weather. Anyway Paul did dinner and Matt came home said he had a really sore back and felt rough but had to go straight out after dinner as he had had a lamb born that didn't seem right, he left at about 7:30 with bottles of formula for lamb, sadly despite him trying for hours it wouldn't feed and its mother had rejected it (I think that maybe the ewe can sense that lamb has problems thats why they reject them). He couldn't have done more, its the only one he has lost and thats all part of farming.  Anyway he wasn't home by 3am so i called him, he said he was in so much pain be couldn't drive, he eventually got home, i gave him painkillers and told him to get to A & E, which he did, they have admitted him as he has kidney infection again and they were going to scan him for stones. So as you can imagine i got no sleep and had atleast 3 episodes of palpitations! 

Up super early for another long day of appointments at Eye hospital with Lucy then off to check on Matt. 

I was so thankful that Brenda had sent me the card that she made for John for  their Anniversary, as there wasn't much chance of me getting one made yesterday.

Brenda made an 'Eclipse' technique card, using Stampin'Up! Large Letter dies, I  love this technique as its so effective. The stamp 

Brenda used is 'Lovely as a Tree', the 'You' is a Honey Doo stamp that Brenda mounted onto Wild Wasabi card and fussy cut.

Cascading Hearts Embossing folder  creates the background to this amazing Anniversary card.  You must be so pleased with how it turned out Brenda, it is truly amazing, I bet John loved it.

Thank you so much for allowing me to share your card Brenda xxx

Today is going to be a very relaxed day (hopefully), as I need to recharge my batteries.

I hope you have a lovely day,

Love and hugs to all 

Sandra 

xxx xxx 

A couple of Janet's amazing cards

Good Morning Ladies,

As Janet starts to get her craft box together for packing into the car, ready to head of to Marigny, I thought it would be nice to look at a couple of the cards that she made recently that I had to gotten around to sharing with you yet.

The first is a lovely shade of blue and cream with a delicate butterfly pattern paper behind, I love the shape of this die Janet, It's a Tonic die called "Perfect Posie Layering Die", Janet has used this die a couple of times for challenge cards and it looks do different every time, I guess you can choose which layers you want to add. So it can be as intricate or simple as you like. A beautiful card Janet, thank you for sharing.

Janet's second card looks very luxurious with the intricate detailed die cutting and foiling. I live the unusual fold too, you get to see all the detail of the front of the card and the inside as well, usually the inside of a card can be a little plain but not this style, the inside us as beautiful as the out.
Thank you so much for sharing Janet.
I hope that you and Jim have a smooth crossing and trouble free journey. You deserve a long and relaxing break at Marigny, don't forget your medication!!!
I look forward to reading your daily updates and it seems like forever since we had a Friday cake description. I put on a pound just reading it!!

Yesterday was a very long day, we left home at 7:10am and didn't return until after 6pm, the hospital appointment was straight forward and only lasted 15mins. I have to wear the monitor until Saturday and return it Sunday.  I bet i don't get one episode of palpitations!
We do it all again today but for Lucy at the Eye Hospital, the Eye department usually has huge delays so fingers crossed we won't be there too long, it's just for a sight test, so fingers crossed!

I Hope that you all have a lovely day,

Love & Hugs

Sandra
xxxxxx

My Challenge card

Good Morning Ladies,

I was sat playing with some of the New Stampin'Up catalogue and my challenge card kind of just 'happened'!

I used some of the gorgeous Delightfully Detailed Laser cut Speciality paper, snippinga piece out of the 12 x 12 square, I then pressed my Versamark pad onto it and then added copper Embossing powder and heat set, so now I had a Metallic detailed die cut. I thought this would look nice on the Grapefruit Grove colour paper and I just happened to have the Nature's Poem Dsp, which has both of the colours I was thinking of featured in it, I picked the background i wanted and glued my laser cut piece into place, I stamped my sentiment the top right area, the flower i made was stamped with the new Pop Of Petals flower onto the same DSP and punched with matching punch, I also embossed these with Copper Embossing powder to tie in with background. 

I finished off my card with a few faceted gems in BlackBerry Bliss and Grapefruit Grove to match the card I used to matt and layer my card.

I hope you like how it turned out and it inspires you a little. 

Delightfully Detailed Laser Cut Dsp 

Nature's Poem Dsp

If you would like any of the products I have used you will find the link in the contact page at the top of the blog.

A long day ahead for me as Paul doesn't want to drive all the way back to home to pick me up and drive 30 miles back in the 

Opposite direction, so Lucy and I are having breakfast out close by to Paul's work, he will then pop out pick us up and take us to appointment, depending on how long it takes he will then drop us off in Witney town centre where we can shop for a couple of hours until he picks up, we get to do it all again tomorrow too for Lucy's appointment! 

We can get some holiday shopping done hopefully.

Have a lovely day whatever you are doing,

Love and Hugs 

Sandra 

xxxxxx

Monday Challenge

Good Morning Ladies,

I hope you have all had a lovely weekend, fingers crossed that this will be a good one for all of you.
We have a busy one, hospital tomorrow for me to have my heart mobitor fitted, then Eye hospital for Lucy on Wednesday, it's not great having appointments on consecutive days as it's not easy for Paul to get time off now that had job has changed but you have to take appointments when you get them, I wish it was Lucy's diagnostic appointment we were going to, but we have to wait until the 26th of June for that, hardly a 14 day referral!!

I think Paul enjoyed his Father's Day, we spent most of the day in the Garden, potting on Strawberries that we rescued from the allotment, as the patch had been over taken by buttercups, we had some veg plants to log on too, quite a productive afternoon.  It was lovely to have all four of our children home for the afternoon/evening.  Paul chose steak for tea, which was a huge hit with everyone, followed by Eton mess or Millionaire Cheesecake.  I think the highlight of Paul's day was opening his 'Log Maker', it's a press thing that you put paper that has been soaked in water in, press it to extract water and leave to dry, you then have paper logs that burn for about an hour, so all of our old, unwanted mail will be chucked in a bucket and turned into fuel!! He was delighted, he had anticipated getting one and had a bucket of soaked paper ready, the look on his face when he came to show me his first paper log was priceless! He also got socks, pants, cider and Toblerone which is a ritual, every birthday, Father's Day and Christmas, he has to have a Toblerone and asks for nothing else.

On to today's Challenge, I went for a TicTacToe grid this time, its quite a simple one, floral is always a simple selection, Metallic can be anything from Mirri card to a metal looking charm, Die cut or Punch is something we all have, Stripes can be embossed or striped paper, in the centre you have a FREE Square, this gives you a free category, so if you only want to use say Striped and yellow from the grid you could put Stripes/yellow/free as your choices and as long as the other two are featured on your card it's perfect.
The most important thing is to have fun, I look forward to seeing your cards.
By the way if you need any inspiration type ''Tictactoechallenge.com' then search for .challenge 045.

I hope you all have a lovely day,

Love and hugs

Sandra
xxxxxx