Sunday 16 December 2018

Your 'Anything But Christmas' Challenge cards






Good Morning Ladies,

It was lovely to see your 'Anything But Christmas' cards this week, I makes a refreshing change to see something other than Christmas projects.
Having said that I am loving all of the 'Happy Christmas Mail' that is arriving through the letter box, you are all such incredible crafters, all of the cards that I have received so far are completely unique, you have all used different products and different layouts. I have been 'wowed' by them all. 

Not so many cards this week but that is totally understandable given the time of year, but just look how amazingly inspirational the following projects are.....

Janet



Janet has been super busy in her craft room as usual, creating 3 stunning projects, the first is a gorgeous 50th Birthday card, Janet has used a gorgeous colour mirror/foil card to die cut, that die is stunning Janet you need nothing else on the card, you could use it in so many different ways to give different looks. 
Janets second project is one of her Tonic Triangle gift boxes, I did put mine together while Sue was here on Wednesday Janet and we were both blown away but the stunning foil card that you have used for the decorative elements.  I see you have another stunning colour for this project too, it really transforms it to a 'wow' gift.  
OMG that third card is just out of this world, so intricate and opulent and just WOW, I love the card shape you have used, it really shows that die cut off perfectly.
Thank you so very much for 3 amazing projects.
XXX


Karen 

Karen's project is for her Brother In Law, who is a Formula One enthusiast, the image is from Serif and Karen cut the letters for the 'Eclipse' effect on her 'Scan and cut' . 
The eclipse works perfectly on this image Karen, I bet your Brother in Law loves it, particularly as its personalised and his favourite subject.  
Thank you so much for another fantastic Karen Inspiration card!!
XXX


 Margaret


Margaret managed two gorgeous birthday cards this week, the first one uses the Stampin Up Springtime Thinlits, die cut in white and placed on a Night of Navy Background, as we all know that is a colour match made in heaven.
Margaret's second card is made from the Papermania 'Capsule' collection papers, I love this shade very much, Margaret has finished her card with a sentiment stamped and punched with the 'Lovely Label' punch.
Thank you so much Margaret for two fantastic cards.
XXX

 Lynda

Oh Lynda this is such a beautiful card, the colour is simply gorgeous and that embossing folder is absolutely gorgeous, it has so much lace detail, enough in fact to be the main focus of the card rather than just a background.  Your simple choice of the die cut flower is perfect.
Absolutely gorgeous, thank you so much my lovely.
XXX

 Michele

Michele, I just love the abstract flower print on the paper that you have used for this card, it has so many pastel shades that you could pick out and make the card look different every time.  That simple pierced flag sentiment works perfectly, as it lets the paper shine as the main feature.
Stunning card, thank you so much for taking part my lovely.
XXX


We are home at last, we had rather a 'damp' end to our little break, we started the day by taking a slow stroll through the centre of London and then Hyde Park and then on to Harrods, where we browsed for a couple of hours, the food halls didn't have that same 'WOW' as they used to have, it's mostly a load of bar style eating places that have queue's that block the hole walk way.  But we saw a few nice things.  We left there and decided to walk through the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park as a way to get back to Marble Arch and Oxford street, not long after we set out the rain started and just got heavier and heavier, the wonderland was a lovely, lively place, a lot of people weren't allowing the rain to dampen their spirits, the smells coming from some of the food vendors were making my tummy rumble.  We decided to go for a quite bite to eat and a look in Selfridges, where we got to dry off a little in the disabled toilet, thank heavens for hand fans!!  
With the rain not letting up we decided to just get the bus home, so me made the short journey back to Marble Arch and discovered that everyone had had the same idea!  There bus shelter was over flowing, I had no hood and no umbrella, it was raining that heavy that it hurt your head as it landed, we knew that there was a bus every 15 mins so didn't have too long to wait, but oh no, because of heavy traffic around Westfield shopping centre they cancelled two buses, by the time another bus had arrived the rain had penetrated by wool coat and my jumper, my leather gloves were as wet on the inside as they were on the out and the scarf that I was using to try and shelter under could by wrung out!  The ends of my fingers and toes were hurting so bad it was all I could do not to cry, I think that my AF and the other issue with my heart have affected my circulation as I have noticed that I am really struggling to keep both fingers and toes from turning blue.  
We did have an amazing time in London, despite the damp ending and I can't wait to return.

I hope that you all manage to stay warm and dry today,

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra
xxxxx





11 comments:

  1. Morning Everyone
    Oh how I love Sunday morning seeing all the craftiness on the display board. The cards really do bring a smile to my face and sets me up for the day.

    All the die cuts I have used on my cards/box are of course Tonic. They make crafting soeasy and do all the hard work. I love the die for my first card as it just begs for 'paper pieceing'. It takes time but well worth doing. The box has a birthday present inside it. The last card is one of their latest dies. I have never seen this shape before and it folds flat to fit into an A5 envelope for posting too. It was so tempting that I just couldn't resist buying it.

    The CAFE is OPEN and today's lunch is Roast Chicken so place your orders please. HUGS are on their way to you all. Have a good day; stay safe and take care. xxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wonderful cards/box and the card you have used are just stunning. Take care if going out and wrap up warm,hugs xx

      Delete
  2. Your trip sounded wonderful SANDRA Just s Shame the weather was so swfuyat the end
    Trying to stay dry going to the Flappers and Frolics night was s feat It started with me dropping my headdress on the drive So the taxi had to turn around and retrieve it The evening ended with me badly knocking my knee on the steering wheel of a bumper car - they were great fun though. The evening itself was good but very drawn out with long waits between courses
    The cards today are gorgeous and as SANDRA has said it’s made a nice refreshing change from Christmas cards which I’m still beavering away at!
    I hope everyone is on the mend especially your cough LYNDA and LILIAN and your hand is healing PAT
    Hugs to all xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope your headdress was ok and you had a lot of fun. Great card, it look so intricate. hugs xx

      Delete
  3. Morning Ladies

    Great selection of challenge cards today, nice change from Christmas cards.

    Had a brilliant night yesterday-the restaurant is always good. There was someone singing Christmas songs for about one hour which was fun but a bit loud. We got home for midnight so I think we need a leisurely day today, once I’ve done all the housework that is!

    Michele

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good morning Sandra & ladies
    Another WOW WOW for some fantastic challenge cards they are all gorgeous I love everyone of them. JANET you are defently the Tonic Queen I love your boxes & your last card has defently got the wow factor love the unusual shape of it.
    SANDRA your trip to London sounded lovely I'm glad the rain held off for some of the day. But standing waiting for the bus sounded horrible. I hate getting soaking wet right through to your undies.
    I'm so glad I never went to Tesco with Terry yesterday as it was freezing cold & he said as he was finished came out it was hammering down with Big hale stones & he couldn't find the car as it was really dark with most of the lights were out he eventually found it but by that time he was soaked through.
    I'm still coughing but night time is the worse. LILIAN how long have you had your cough for? It just drains you doesn't it.
    Not up to much today I managed to do half the ironing yesterday so I'm going to finish that hopefully. I'm off to get my shower now.
    Hug's for Lilian Pat & Pete & enyone else that need one
    Love Lynda xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lynda
      I hope your cough goes soon. There seems to be a lot about this year.

      Delete
  5. Hi Sandra & all in café,
    Sandra I hope you do not suffer from your soaking yesterday, such a shame your day ended like that, sounds as if you had a good time before the rain.
    Lovely cards today suited me as I had 2 birthdays in the last week. Looking forward to Monday's challenge.xxx
    Lynda hope your cough allows you to sleep, hugs on way.xxx
    Janet please can I have roast chicken. The café looks very Christmassy thank you for your hard work.xxx
    Sending hugs to Pat & Pete & Lilian & any one else who needs them love Margaret.xxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Sandra and ladies.
    Beautiful cards all around, love Sunday's. Sorry for not joining in this week but I will try tomorrows tho.
    Loved all the crafts yesterday and so loved the photos of our Margaret and great grandchildren, wonderful memories.
    Oh went to football yesterday so I spent the whole day to move and tidy up in the kitchen. I definitely wont need to buy any x-mas crafting (papers,toppers etc) for a few years so be ready for similar cards next year ladies for I won't remember what I sent you Lol !
    Sending warm hugs to you all and wish anyone who have this horrid cough that you soon are better.
    Love Maria xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was Other-Half who went to London. I'm glad you had a nice time Sandra even with the bad last day you managed to look around. Fingers crossed ,no chill xx

      Delete
  7. Hello Sandra and ladies,

    What a lovely display of non Christmas cards, ladies your cards are inspiring.xx

    Oh Sandra I really feel for you getting caught in the rain yesterday the wind was so cold it cut into your skin. I hope you (also Paul) haven’t caught a chill after that through soaking.

    Tomorrow our daughter is driving to Leeds to bring Tierney home for Christmas, enroute she will take a detour into Loughborough taking my sisters bags, boxes etc. we have been storing, I will go with her and stay in Loughborough, she will pick me up on her return journey. Hopefully I can help my sister sort some of her belongings out! ..... Think the proverbial Pigs will be flying by.

    LYNDA Sorry your cough is still hanging around, think about ringing your doctor he maybe able to prescribe something else for you, you don’t want to be laid up over Christmas xx
    LILLIAN The same goes for you, especially with all the problems you have had these last few months. We don’t want you poorly over Christmas. xx
    PAT How is your treatment going? Hope you are feeling the benefits. Also hope Pete is as comfortable and behaving himself. xx

    Hope everyone has had a good weekend, Love and hugs, Brenda xx

    ReplyDelete