Distress Oxide background card

 

Good Morning Ladies,  

A quiet start to the day today as Paul & Lucy are at work, Soph went to Lewis last night,  so she'll be back later today,  I must get atleast a couple of cards or tags made,  to build up a stock for scheduling for our holiday.  

I got the Ecg monitor disconnected yesterday,  the lady that removed it shook her head and said that she was tired of constantly explaining where the monitor wires are placed on your body, even printing a diagram,   however the lady that did mine had all of them in the wrong place,  one was up high in the middle of my neck ( you could see it above a round neck top)  the other two where belly button height but placed more on my back on either side,  none were where they were last time,  so fingers crossed it worked ok,  she was a real character,  she said 'lord only knows what will happen when I retire '  i asked when that was,  she said she was 73, which shocked me, she is planning on working until next march.  She said that she would get bored sitting at home every day bless her. I have to wait for results now,  atleast 2 weeks for recording to be analysed they will pass results on to my GP. 

I made today's card yesterday afternoon,   I used Wilted Violet,  Mermaid lagoon & Pumice Stone DO, smooshing them onto my ink mat and tapping my card into the colours one at a time and heat setting in-between colours,  it took me a while to learn that smooshing worked better using just one colour at a time and fully drying to prevent the colours mixing and creating mud.  My favourite part of smooshing is being able to capture the little dotty bits.  

After fully drying the background I stamped my Visible Image butterflies over the coloured panel,   I did heat emboss them as Oxides can sometimes can dull the black ink.  I then stamped them again onto white card and fussy cut them and placed them over the ones I stamped onto the panel.  I trimmed around the little sentiment and fussy cut a Pumice Stone mat for it.  I added the piece to a card blank and added some faux stitching around the edges. 

I hope that you all have a great day, 

Love and hugs to all, 

Sandra xxx 

An Arden creative tag

 

Good Morning Ladies,  

Just a quickie from me today,  as I am writing this I 

am literally shaking with the shivers! 

Todays reminder is a good one,  its easy to get caught out when you are feeling low and just want to push on a little further,  when you really now twins  at it's ok to let someone elste to do it!. 

Our garage bill was a nightmare,  best part of £900 for the repairs!  But Paul  seemed ok with the work that was done. We had to have a new radiator,   these things never happen while your car is still in Warranty.  We need it to be ok though as we are driving through the Pyrenees in 4 weeks !  

Today I am sharing a tag that I made last week, I used my Arden Creative die cuts to create the tag, the base was coloured using two shades of blue acrylic paint applied with a wet wipe!  I used black embossing to add detail and some stamping.   I really like the different background colours. 

I am going back to Clinic to get me 24hr Heart Monitor device removed, then Lucy and I are off to do some holiday shopping! 

I hope you have a good day, 

Love and hugs to all, 

Sandra xxx

Rainbow Brushstroke card

 

Good Morning My lovelies,  

Ooh it seemed a chilly day yesterday,   we usually leave our back door open for the cats 🐈 to come and go as the please (during Spring & Summer), however yesterday it was too cold,  maybe worse because it was rainy too.  

It does look like its warming up for the weekend though,  which is good for Sonia going back down to Sidmouth and Sue who is off to Cambridge with her family.   We did think about going down to see Paul's Mum but then realised that its the start of the Half term, so it will be crazy busy.  

I love the artwork of today's reminder,  it's a great reminder too.  

Today I am sharing a card that I made yesterday using 2 different Tim Holtz stamp sets,  Floral Trims & Brushstrokes.  

I used Picked Raspberry,  Carved Pumpkin,  Squeezed Lemonade,  Tumbled Glass & Wilted Violet Distress inks, I added the ink to the Brushstroke stamp and repeated across the card,  I then took the Floral Trims stamp and stamped over the colours.  I finished by adding a sentiment, then mounted onto a black mat and then onto the card base. 

I might have another go using Distress Oxides.   

I hope that you all have a lovely day, 

Love & hugs to all of you,  

Sandra xxx

Stamperia Daisy art card.

 

Good Monday Morning Ladies,

Welcome to the start of a new week,   the weather is forecast to be in the 20's by the end of the week,  which is something to look forward to!  It would be nice to have everything in the garden done so that you could just sit and relax but that's not reality,  there is always something that needs doing.  

I'm try to get ahead with crafting so I have time to make extra cards for while we are away.   So no relaxing in the garden for me 🤣  To be honest I couldn’t just sit in the sun doing nothing,  I have to be doing something.  

Todays card is one I made last week,  I got my Daisy Art collection out,  I decided to make a card,  it couldn't be simpler,  its a piece of background paper from the Junk journal,   I added the fussy cut envelope and flowers and the butterfly,   no sentiment yet, as I will add one when I know what I am using it for. 

I hope that you all have a great start to the week,  

Love and hugs to all of you

Sandra xxx 

A look back at our makes this week

 

Good Sunday Morning Ladies, 

We had a mixed bag of weather yesterday,   Paul was outside for a couple of hours, sadly my bladder had other ideas,  so I was in pain and stayed inside 🙄😔  I did manage to pot up some seedlings and pot on some houseplants that really needed a bigger pot.  Other than that I acheived very little,  it's so bloody frustrating when you get up with the intention of 'getting stuff done"  but your body has other ideas!   We should be used to it by now though I guess! 

Anyway lets cheer up and look at what you have been making this week....

Karen 

Karen's Description:

18:   Hot Chocolate 2 images from Pinterest The mug is decoupaged with a heart added

Was going to use Fluffy Stuff or Nuvo Drops for cream on top but decided against it

19:  I am pleased how 19 Camping turned out I searched Camping on Pinterest and camper vans came up which reminded me of one of Gary’s favourite holidays at Flamingo Land Zoo Look how healthy and confident he la on the climbing frame with his sister and cousin

Background created in Serif 

Karen Burniston photo frame etc

20: Snail Mail is a smooshed background using Peeled Paint and Mermaid Lagoon DO

All images from a magazine 

Saw the sentiment on an A&C example 

The envelope is a Sizzix die

Karen these three pieces are absolutely incredible,  all perfect for their categories.   I love them all,  number 2 is such a perfect representation with the added bonus of having such a lovely memory attached.   Art/creativity wise I think number 3 is my favourite,  the background is amazing,  the snails, postage mark and envelope perfectly capture the theme.  That verse is so perfect. 

Thank you so much my lovely for 3 truly inspirational pieces XXX 

Lilian 

Lilian's Description:  

Hi, here is my challenge piece for this week.

Transportation is the guide.

I used some small backing papers, which you gave me some time ago.some texture paste, which was a mistake as it turned pink in places. All of the die cuts are from various Stamperia books.

I can't believe how you transformed that background into that incredible background with the sea in the foreground!  You definitely have the theme covered!  I love your attention to details,  like the shading under the boats etc.  You are an amazing artist my lovely, so inspirational. 

Thank you so much for another brilliant Challenge page XXX

*********

I hope that you all have a lovely Sunday,  

Love and hugs,

Sandra xxx 

Mixed Up Saturday

 

🥂🎂🍹🎉 Happy Birthday Sonia 🎉🍹🎂🥂

Good Saturday Morning Ladies,  

Please join me in wishing our lovely Sonia the very happiest Birthday,   I hope that you have amazing day in Dorset with all of those dearest to you celebrating with you.  I hope that you get spoiled, just as you deserve my lovely ❤️ 

The art work on these daily reminders bring a smile even if the reminder doesn't!    Just know that you are all of those things and More!!! 

I have a few photos of our trip to the Wildlife park..

The rhinos are my favourite along with Big cats and Giraffes 

This is the newest arrival!  

This photo made me smile, it was just after a shower, I think he was just checking the weather before coming out.

This little Colobus Monkey family were adorable to watch,  just look at that little baby 😍

We had a lovely morning walking around,  it was really quiet too, so we got to enjoy the park without having to dodge the crowds.  

I hope that you all have a lovely Saturday,  

Love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra xxx 

Gina's Awesome Anniversary card

 

 

Good Friday Morning Ladies,  

A somewhat quieter day for me yesterday,  which I desperately needed,  my poor legs were so painful after two busy days with Lucy.   

Today's reminder couldn't be more perfect, this 100% applies to me today 🤣

Soph came home early yesterday morning, came bounding in my room, threw open the curtains declaring that we 'seize the day',  I said I need a good 45 minutes to get up and going,   (this was before 8am),  she went and laid on her bed for '5 minutes' but I didn't see her for 2 hours, by which time I was up, had breakfast and was busy crafting when she said "come on lets go and get some lunch and pop to Tesco", we ended up having a loved walk (well ride for me ) around Stow On the Wold,  we were puzzled that most of the shops were closed and there were quite a few parking spaces,  which is unheard of.   It was funny that most shops (which are mostly tourist gift shops) were mostly closed for refurbishment!   Then the penny dropped.... it has been Stow Fair week,  where hundreds of Travellers,  Gypsies etc descend on Stow for their Annual Horse Fair,  a lot of pubs were boarded up too,  due to history of violent behaviour.  I don't suppose the Traveller community were fussed about Stow's tourist shops though.  

Today I am sharing Our Gina's Anniversary card,  what an incredible fancy fold card !! 

Gina's Description:

I bet the person that asked you to create this very special card was over the moon with it.  Look at you generating your own background papers!! You are way more tech savvy than I am 🤣

Thank you so much for sharing it with us,  I hope you are both on the mend XXX

I hope that you all have a good day, 

Love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra xxx 

A vintage Tag

 

Good Morning Ladies,  

Well yesterday was an 'all weathers in one day' kind of day,  it was sunny and warm one minute,  then dark skies with torrential rain, it even tried Hail we heard thunder rumbles in the distance too!  

Lucy and I were at the Wildlife park for when it opened,  thankfully there are plenty of places to sit and shelter from the weather.  Lucy had organised an electric scooter for me which was a huge bonus as she would had never managed the 2 dogs and pushing me in the wheelchair.  It wasn't very busy which was an extra bonus.  We had a lovely day, Soph came and had lunch with us too.  I even got treated to a deliscious Kelly's Mango Icecream, although at that point hot chocolate would have been more appropriate!  

Today I am sharing another Tag, this one was made using Arden Creative papers, stamps and PET tape stickers.  I really enjoyed switching off and sitting and creating,  thanks to Emilia Sieradzan for inspiration! 

I hope that you all have a lovely day, 

Love and hugs, 

Sandra xxx 

A lovely day at Batsford Arboretum

 

Good Wednesday Morning Ladies,  

Lucy and I had a lovely day out at Batsford Arboretum yesterday with Benji & Boo, it was really just to get the dogs out of the house full of builders,  Lucy was getting frustrated that they kept tripping the electricity off first thing too, which the girls found frustrating.  Lucy was at ours at 8.45 ready to go!  We got there and I had booked a '4 wheel tramper' (all terrain mobility scooter)  which the lady told me they tested by taking a couple up Snowden,  it was lovely to be able to be alongside Lucy as we made our way around some of the 60 acres of parkland,  the views were breath taking!     It felt good being out in fresh air.  I loved that they have every tree tagged with its name and when it was planted.  There were so many different trees around the park,  lots of Acers which are one of my favourites trees as the leaves are so delicate. 

This was one of the many different Acers. 

There were sculptures all around the park. 

This is a picture of the Anne Frank Horse Chestnut tree,  it started as a Sapling from the Original Horse Chestnut tree that bought joy to Anne Frank from her Attic window,  sadly the original tree has succumbed to disease and storm damage.  

There were so many little paths and resting places dotted all around the many different trails. 

We will definitely go back,  Paul would love it too. 

I hope that you all have a lovely day,  

Love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra xxx

A simple journal page

 

Good Morning Ladies,  

We had our little Boo for the day yesterday,   I don't think we were prepared for the whirlwind she was,  we didn't stop all day, she didn't stop,  we had to keep her in the lounge & office/craft room so that the cats could have as normal day as possible,  also if Boo got in to the kitchen & utility room and gets in cat litter tray and eats their food,  she is a delicate little thing so has food that is specially prepared for her delicate needs 🙄, so gobbling down cat food just wouldn't do! 🤣  She kept pinching things she shouldn't have, despite having a basket full of toys,   she got my flip flop to chew up, sneaked it into her crate/bed,  so paul retrived that, then she got under my desk,  so first it was a bit of card,  then a piece of bubble wrap,  which I played with her with,  she then got the big bottle of Isopropyl alcohol,   which I got off her,  so I swapped it out for a my san pelligrino water bottle, which she enjoyed for a few minutes.  Needless to say we both spared no time at 6pm getting her into the car to take her home!   We both sat shell shocked on the sofa with a cup of tea for an hour!  🤣😂

I've got her again today, well both of them,  Lucy is picking me up at 9.15am to go to Batsford Arboretum, which is a lovely place to walk around,  the hire big scooters that cover all terrains,  so that should be fun! 🤞 

Brenda I hope that you aren't too sore today, thank goodness it's only your little finger that's broken. Not that you needed anything else to recover from.  Sending you gentle hugs my lovely 😘

Today I am sharing a journal page that I made on Saturday,   I started by using Tattered Rose Oxide blended onto the background,  I then smooshed Tumbled Glass Oxide onto a piece of acetate and smooshed it over the the pink background. 

I then took a selection of die cuts and stickers from the Silent Sea Journal and built up the little scene, I finished with some Gauze at the bottom, to represent the frothy sea as the waves crash and I added some stickers to embellish it. 

Quite a simple look,  but effective. 

I hope that you all have a good day, 

Love and hugs,  

Sandra xxx

Daisy Art card

 

Good Monday Morning Ladies, 

Here we are at the start of a new week,   a quiet start to week in our house as the girls are at Becca's,  it just feels odd not having them here,  although it was nice not being told off because my phone was too loud at 10pm as I was browsing social media,  funny how roles switch over the years 🤣😂

We got a good amount of garden jobs done yesterday,   Paul did the lawns, I planted out beetroot and parsnips, did some pruning and tidying up of the veg beds,  I wish the plants grew as well as the weeds! 

Today's reminder is one close to me heart,   I used to feel so alone in the days after my hip surgery, going from a busy mum of 4, out every day, I ran Mum & toddler groups on Mon  & Friday, helped in school when girls were in nursery and going to other little groups with girls in afternoons,  to being housebound and no longer able to drive.  Paul's job meant his was away from home a lot too.  I really struggled with loneliness,  it was the very lowest point of my life.  I thought I'd make a few Christmas cards to counteract boredom,  it soon became a hobby, I found Sue's Blog,  back then it was very small,  she got picked up by Spellbinders and then really became popular,   her blog grew incredibly and that's where I met most of you,  I started my own blog so that we could all talk more.  You ladies gave me back my life,  this is why my Blog is so special to me.  I would never want any of you to feel that lonely, ever. ❤️ 

(Sorry that got a bit deep) 

Today I am sharing a card that I made on Friday using the Daisy Art collection by Stamperia,   a simple design but I quite like how it turned out. 

I hope that you all have a great start to your week, 

Love & hugs to all of you,  

Sandra xxx 

A look at our makes this week

 

Good Sunday Morning Ladies, 

We had a great day for garden jobs yesterday,  I wasn't up to that though,  bladder clinic caused another flare up of uti, It's not down to the nurse,  I just think my bladder is so over sensitive to any intrusion that it reacts.  I am determined to speak to the Consultant this week as it's been 10 weeks since he did the referral,  he said it was just a case of them writing the prescription! 🙄  

So I sat at my desk, procrastinated for an hour or two, then tidied  and reorganised a couple of things,  I think we could constantly re-organise our craft space and still never be happy! 

Another perfect reminder my lovelies ❤️ 

Let's look at your makes.....

Karen

Karen's Description: 

Here are a couple of cards using oranges and layering stencils 

Squeezed Lemonade

Wild Honey 

Spiced Marmalade 

Crackling Campfire distress oxides

The “rose” is mounted on yellow card onto a tent fold pink frog card

The square card has copper/gold paint splats x

The colour way of both cards is perfect,  such a great blend.  I has worked so well for two completely different styles.  

Thank you so much for two stunning cards,  you have inspired me to have a play with this colour blend and for doing a colour themed challenge. XXX 

Lilian 

Lilian's Description :

Hello, here is my challenge piece for this week.

I used “ birds and butterflies.

Made a card this week for a change, saw the idea on Pinterest.

Most of it came from house of roses,which I bought the junk journal to match the papers which I purchased some time ago. I’m so pleased they are bringing out junk journals to match the older papers.

Lilian your card is so beautiful,   that Junk journal is top of my wishlist.  Your composition is so beautiful and fits the 'Birds & Butterflies ' category perfectly! 

Thank you so much for another beautiful card XXX

Maria 

Maria's Description:

Hello my lovely friend.

I bought this bigger butterfly to be a centre piece on a card but as we are also doing backgrounds I found my pack when clearing up in my craft room 🤭

On this card I have used an Embossed background ( no name sorry).  My new Spellbinders Peacock Butterfly and a Happy Birthday from my stash.

To make it move I have put a wobbler on the back of the butterfly 🦋😊

WOW Maria, what a fabulous card,  that butterfly is amazing,  your colours just make me smile,  such a brilliant idea to add the wobbler,  lifting your card to one that will deliver pure joy!! 😀 

Thank you so much for creating such a joyful card and allowing me to share it today XXX

Sonia

Sonia's Description:

Both cards I made using ChatGPT to design the papers and elements.

On the card for my Dad to give my mum, I used a Stampin Up heart die to frame the sentiment. I used Stamperia flower dies, with gems in the centres and added a printed insert.

On the second card, I found the poem on Pinterest and used ChatGPT to add it to the design for the inside of the card. I added some gems to the front.

Oh Sonia such beautiful cards that you have designed,  the images on both are just so perfect for the occasion,   I bet your dad was speechless when he saw the card you made to give to your Mum,  you just can't buy cards that beautiful,  knowing you made it made it even more special.  

Your card for them both is equally as beautiful,   buying that printer was the best thing that you ever did.   

Thank you so much for allowing me to share your cards today XXX

******************

I hope that you all have a lovely Sunday 

Love & hugs to all of you, 

Sandra xxx