My Pretty Peacock Card from Janet and more Ally Pally Shopping

My Pretty Birthday card from Janet

Brenda's Shopping

My Craft shopping

More of my shopping

Good Morning Ladies,

How many of you have had chance to play with your new craft purchases??

I haven't had chance yet, I had to go with Lucy to the Orthodontal Appointment at the hospital today, Becca was kind enough to take us as Paul was working, which meant that I couldn't take my wheelchair, I had to manage on my crutches, well I can tell you that it felt like a marathon, luckily it wasn't too far inside the hospital, we found a wheelchair for the return thankfully, the appointment took 3 hours!! By the time Becca dropped me home it was 3 o'clock, (we left at 9), I just had to go lie down, I got stiffer as the night went on.  Today we are taking Becca and josh to Gatwick, they are flying off to Greece for a week, they both deserve a break. I'm not sure what they would do without Dad's Taxi !! 

How fabulous is my gorgeous Peacock Birthday card from Our Janet?, 

Janet has added two borders that she has woven ribbon through, Janet has covered a die cut with a sticky sheet and added some micro beads, covered this with a beautiful blue paper, this is the background for the beautiful die cut peacock, Janet has cut the base of the peacock and covered it with beautiful gilding flakes, the detailed part of the peacock die has been cut with the same card as the border, tying the card together beautifully.  Janet, I absolutely love my card, thank you so much xxx

Now onto more Ally Pally Shopping........

Brenda, wow,you did really well, like you I love that Butterfly Edge die, the Football and Football Boots will be really useful too, you got some lovely bits from Inkyliscious, that brickwall stamp looked fantastic when stamped, quite a few of us bought the Winter Bauble set, I am so excited to have a go with it, you got some lovely colour Ink Pads, the lady on the Inkyliscious stand worked wonders with those ink pads didn't she?!, I see you bought some lovely new Groovi Plate boards too, I managed to get the same Glitter Card as you, some gorgeous shades. I think that its Pixie Powders all lined up on the right, I bet Ciara can't wait to have a play with them. Thank you so much for sharing your goodies with us xxxx

I didn't really buy that much, I think I spent more time talking, I forgot to show the three packs of A3 card and Glitter card I bought, the rest is in the photo, a few dies, the pretty floral shoe really caught my eye.  I picked the Giant Pegs up on the £1 stand, I thought I might Alter them and use them to hold cards or photos.  I have been waiting for Pink Frog Crafts second flower making guide, so I snapped that up when I saw it, I bought the small flower die too, you can make some lovely flowers with one die.  A couple of Sentiment dies, some magnetic sheets, another pair of the £1 scissors and a little christmas label set also from £1 stand finish my shopping. 

The CE Christmas Rose die and stamp came from SETcraft, I love the shape of this die.

I will share my other new goodies later in the week.

That's all from me for today, I hope Maria and Val are having a lovely relaxing time.

Lynda I hope all goes well at your RA appointment today.

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra 

xxxxxx

Monday Sketch Challenge and Ally Pally Shopping

My Challenge Card

The Sketch

Maria's Shopping

Sue's Shopping

Margaret's Shopping

 Lynda's Shopping

Good Morning Ladies,

Here is this weeks Sketch for our weekly challenge, everyone is welcome to join in, 

I will share everyone's Challenge Cards on Sunday, you just have to email a photo of it to me by Saturday evening.

A fairly simple challenge this week, three strips of decorative papers, embellished at the top with a flower, or anything you choose to use, it could just be a bow, a rosette or anything that you like. You don't need to use lace, a paper border will be just as good, punched or die cut, or a bit of ribbon. 

I am looking forward to seeing your designs ladies!

Next up today are some of the ladies purchases from our lovely day at Ally Pally.

Mine will be featured tomorrow, hopefully with Pats & Brenda's .

Maria, you bought some lovely things, lots of lovely new dies, I love your Snowman stamp! Some other lovely stamps too, some different ink applicators, I do like the look of your Tonic alphabet dies too. Some card and pixie powders, iced snow and the black ice too, you have some lovely new things to play with Maria, I am excited to see the cards you create xxxx

Sue, some lovely Christmas dies, your Gingerbread man is so cute, so are the Reindeer, some paper pads and paper packs, glue and Tape too, good to stock up on the essentials while they are there, we forget to restock otherwise, those Sport andc Garden dies are going to be so useful, I can't quite see the centre one, it looks like sentiments. I know you will be putting this lot to great use, I look forward to crafting with you as you play with them too xxxx

Margaret, well I think you take the trophy for most shopping!!  But what we have to remember is Margaret has only been crafting a few months so she is still buying the basics and essential things. You have built up an amazing stash already Margaret, I think you have most occasions covered.  Some very useful dies in your shopping, lots of foliage, alphabets and sentiments, card blanks, the Inkyliscious Winter Bauble Kit, 

Lynda, myself and Anne have this too, its going to be fun seeing all of the different cards. You and Sue bought the bargain die storage case, you got a great deal on those ink pads, they are fab inks. A lovely range of paper pads finish your buys, thanks for sharing Margaret, looking forward to seeing your cards xxxx

Lynda, you bought some lovely die sets, your bargain Tonic die storage, some card blanks, lots of Cosmic shimmer goodies, including embossing powder, iced snow, gilding wax, some lovely wide ribbon, that lovely new chain embellishment, Gilding Polish, I love the inkyliscious Poppy stamp and sentiment too.  I can't wait to see your cards, thank you for sharing your buys xxxx

We all had a fantastic time at Ally Pally, you ladies all bought some fabulous goodies, we are going to see some lovely cards over the coming weeks, I am so excited. I am surd that like me you get home and can't wait to start playing with your new things.

I will share my buys tomorrow.

Have a lovely day ladies! 

Love and hugs

Sandra

Xxxxxx

Your Sketch Challenge Cards

My Challenge Card

The Sketch

Anne's Sketch Challenge card

Janet's Challenge card

Karen's first Challenge card

Karen's 2nd Challenge Card

A view that shows the 'channel' in the card

Lilian's Challenge Card

Lynda's Challenge Card

Margaret's Challenge Card

Maria's Challenge Card

Sonia's Challenge Card

Val's Challenge Card

Good Sunday Morning Ladies,

What a fabulous time we had yesterday, this time there was plenty of time to walk around in the hall at Ally Pally, it wasn't too crowded, we shopped for a few hours and then we all met up and had lunch together, it was lovely to see everyone including Brenda Littlelamb and Scarlett. The afternoon just disappeared, we know longer set off shopping again and it was almost 4pm, so we ended up 'speed shopping'!!  We did get to have a catch up with Sue Wilson, which is always lovely, it's so lovely to listen to the enthusiasm she has for her new products and the excitement for new things coming up too!

Here we all are having lunch, from the front right.....

Maria, Lynda, Pat, Brenda Lello, Me, Paul, Sue and Margaret on the

opposite side of the table.

Here we have Sue, Margaret, Brenda (littlelamb), Scarlett (in front),  Sue W, Maria & Pat

Now onto this weeks cards, the theme this week was the 'Channel' style card, which was named by Sue W herself as a style of card that has a recessed channel.  As always you did me very proud, each of you coming up with a unique and individual design.

Anne has turned the challenge sideways for her design, that butterfly embossing folder is so pretty and detailed. The paper you have used for the 'channel' is really pretty too, such a lovely challenge card Anne, thank you so much xxxx

Janet, a beautiful vintage image is the focal point of your pretty challenge card this week, Spellbinders Edgabilities giving that gorgeous 'Lacey' look to the card on either side of the framed image.

The tiny flowers around the frame finish your card beautifully, thank you Janet xxx

Karen, two very different challenge cards from you this week, both of them fabulous!  The first card is using Creative Expressions Diagonal die (to create the channel), I love how you have picked out the red from the background and added it to the diagonal border,  the 'Love' die Karen bought from Hobbycraft, it is perfect for this card, the embossing folder that Karen has used to add detail to the top of the card was a bargain from Ally Pally, each element comes together to create a fantastic card.

The second card was made using a google image, the sentiment has been made using Sue Wilson's Perspective die, which I have to say works perfectly for this card, the letters stand out really well Karen.  The sentiment inside the card reads "Have a Dog-gooner of a day", perfect for any "Gunners" fan !  The second photo shows the channel part of the card.  

Thank you Karen for two fabulous cards xxx

Lilian, a beautiful Christmas card from you this week, wow that Poinsettia paper is so pretty, the silver embellishments that you have used add a lovely sparkle to your card, I really love those stars along the channel of your card, thank you so much for taking part, I know you have had an extremely busy week xxx

Lynda, such a pretty shade of blue on your card this week, you have used Spellbinders dies to edge the channel part of your card, I love the sentiment that you have stamped along the channel Lynda.  You have made some beautiful flowers using Creative Expressions Diagonal Foldover Flower die and some pretty blue and white felt, some pretty white Ivy finishes your card, I love it Lynda, thank you very much xxx

Margaret has used Creative Expressions Mini Striplet 'Wise Men' for your challenge card, a beautiful coloured background paper and the lovely 'Peace on Earth' sentiment, something we all hope and pray for daily! Thank you Margaret for a fantastic challenge card xxx

Maria, oh I love your challenge card this week Maria, that vibrant floral paper is just so pretty, you have picked out a perfect shade of blue for your sentiment piece, the three daisies look so pretty and work so well with your patterned paper, the pretty blue gems finish your card beautifully, thank you so much Maria xxx

Sonia, oh my that black and pink paper is both striking and stunning,  the punched black borders that edges the channel of your card works so well, drawing your eye into your three pretty flowers, I love the "wishing you all you're wishing for" sentiment too, thank you so much for taking part Sonia xxx

Val you have used another fabulous embossing folder for your card this week, you must have loads, I wish you lived closer so that we could all share your craft stash!!!  The glitter card that you have used is such a pretty shade too, the pearls you have used compliment it perfectly too.  I have this flourish die, it is so delicate and so pretty and gives a fabulous finishing touch to your card.  Thank you so much for taking part, particularly as you had such a busy week, xxx

Thank you all so much for taking part ladies. 

The photos of our Ally Pally purchased will be up tomorrow hopefully.  

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra

xxxxxx

Mixed Craft Saturday

Janet's Lace Baubles

Janet's Rose Bud Bauble

Lynda's Altered Box (top)

Altered box side view

Altered Box side view

Altered box side view

Close up of beautiful flower on box

Good Morning Ladies,

An early one for us today as Pat, Sue and Margaret are all arriving just after 7.30am so that we can all set off for Ally Pally, it has become a tradition that I love, mixing craft shopping with meeting lovely friends, my only wish is that more of you could join us, mind you we wouldn't get much shopping done!

Today's gorgeous crafts have been created by Janet and Lynda..........

Janet has taken some simple polystirene balls and turned them into the most beautiful baubles.

The first two Janet made before she went into hospital, they have been covered in beautiful lace and organza roses with pretty pearls in the centre, trimmed around with pearl trim, Janet, I could see these hung onto pretty twisted willow twigs as a table centre for a winter wedding, they are absolutely beautiful, they would make a beautiful gift for a couples for Christmas together, something for them to get out every year.  

The bauble Janet made just a couple of days ago, it has been covered in stunning deep red roses, with cream ones placed inbetween to create a pretty pattern, how stunning would these look strung up at Christmas, (by the way Janet, I usually go for Burgundy and Gold/cream) hehehe!! I adore these baubles Janet, I could see little bridesmaids carring them too.  You need to organise a craft sale Janet, you would make a fortune!

It's so lovely to see you back crafting again, it must be lovely for you too!  Thank you so much for sharing your lovely baubles with us Janet xxxxxx

Lynda has made another of her beautiful altered boxes, oh my Lynda this one is so gorgeous, I absolutely love the image of a beautiful lady that you have used, she is stunning, the pretty frame you have used enhances her beauty! It really draws your eye in, you have used some gorgeous background papers Lynda and added texture paste through different masks to create texture and depth, it works so well, now it looks to me like you have stamped and embossed onto the sides of the box too, (it may be the paper though) you will have to let us know!  I love the lace trim that you have added around the lid of the box, it works so well with your design.  I have to draw attention to the absolutely stunning lace flower that you have created to add the finishing touch to the top of your box, its so pretty, the little pink sparkle string you have used gives just the right amount of sparkle.  I hope that you have all of your boxes on display Lynda, they are just so pretty to look at, a perfect place to store some of your pretty embellishments too.  Thank you so much for sharing your latest box with us Lynda xxxxxx

Well I must go and get organised before we leave for Ally Pally, it barely seems 5 minutes since we were leaving London on Thursday!  I am really excited though!

I will tell you all about it tomorrow and share our purchases with all of you........

Oh by the way..... Aldi is selling a die cutting machine, it looks fab!!! 

Love and Hugs to all

Sandra

xxxxxxx

A beautiful Vintage Style Birthday card from Lilian

Good Morning Ladies,

How can it be Friday already???
This week has gone so fast, mainly because I was excited and busy getting organised for our Anniversary and then the two days we were away just flew !
We had an amazing time, we went to see Charlie & The Chocolate Factory on Wednesday at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, the staff at the theatre were so helpful, nothing was too much trouble, so much so that I am going to write to them to thank them for making the night so special, we ended up with fantastic seats too, the show was incredible, I would recommend it to anyone, but it finishes in January.
We did the Thames River Cruise yesterday, wow we were lucky with the weather, it took about 3 hours altogether from Westminster Bridge to Greenwich, the chap on the boat gave a hilarious commentary, with some bizarre facts,he had a good knowledge of all the pubs though!  We finished the afternoon with Afternoon Tea with Prosecco at a Hotel at Marble Arch, it was delightful, the lovely Manager bought us a second glass of bubbly as it was our Anniversary, how kind and thoughtful, it was over way too soon though and we were on the bus home!   Mind you there's nothing beats a nice cup of tea and sleeping in your own bed!!

Today's beautiful card was my birthday gift from Lilian along with a beautiful basket of flowers, that really brightened my day.
I love the vintage style of your card Lilian, using the layers of different textures of paper and ephemera gives such depth and dimension to the card, some pretty Pearl Swirls from Creative Expressions along with those pretty flowers give such delicate finishing touches to the card.  Thank you so much Lilian, I love it xxxx

Well I think a day of rest is on the cards for me today, so I can conserve some energy for Ally Pally on Saturday, I am so looking forward to meeting up with all of you that are going xxxx
Enjoy your day ladies,
Love and hugs
Sandra
Xxxxxx

Another gorgeous birthday card

Good Morning Ladies,

As you are reading this I shall be waking up in London for the 2nd Day of our Anniversary treat, we haven't planned too much today, we thought we would wait to see what the weather was like.  We are hoping to do a River Cruise and go and have as nice afternoon tea somewhere.

Today's gorgeous card is my birthday card from Our Maria, it has such a beautifully coloured background, the camera hasn't done it Justice, the colours really pop, Maria has used the Swiss Background Die from Creative Expressions for The Decorative element of the card, this die is on both mine and Sue's 'want' list !
The card is finished with some pretty flowers and CE Trailing Ivy die cuts, its such a pretty card Maria, I love it, thank you so very much, I am trying to think of a way to display all of my cards, so I can get inspiration every time I enter my craft room.

That's all from me today ladies, can I ask you all a little favour.......?
I will be doing a feature on paper cutters/trimmers, can you make a note of your experience with different ones, I thought I could be our first 'Buyers Guide' item.

Love and hugs
Sandra
Xxxxxxx

A Very Special Day!!!

Good Morning Ladies,

Today Paul and I celebrate our Silver (25th) Wedding Anniversary, I can hardly believe that we have been married that long, the time has literally flown!
I will say that I am very lucky to have married my best friend and my Soulmate, like everyone we have had our share of hurdles to over come (more than our share to be honest)! They have made us stronger as a partnership!  I feel like I should be giving Paul a Long Service and Good Conduct medal, poor chap has had to put up with a lot!
Anyway today we are going to London, my eldest daughter Becca has treated us for our Anniversary and birthdays, we are staying overnight and going to see a show too.  We are also hoping to fit in a River Cruise and Afternoon Tea on Thursday.
I can't wait, I am so looking forward to having Paul all to myself for two days!

Today's card is the card I made Paul for our Anniversary, using my new Spellbinders Curved Borders 2 die set, a Creative Expressions Embossing Folder, and a few other bits and pieces. A card I saw on Pinterest inspired my design!  I have lost more ours in pinterest than I care to admit!
Fingers crossed he likes the card !

That's all from me ladies, I have a busy day ahead, I hope you have a great day too!

Love and hugs
Sandra
Xxxxxx