Your Challenge cards

 Good Sunday Morning Ladies,

I hope that you are all enjoying the weekend and that the weather has been kind to you, we did have a break in the torrential rain thankfully, the river has once again burst its banks, as a result of the rain we had last week, it's odd to see the fields flowing along side the river, I dread to think how it affects the farmers crops and the condition of the soil, the swans were loving it though, they looked like they were having fun floating around the hay bales!!

Lynda messaged me to say that she has had four pints of blood and IV antibiotics, bless her she is feeling very downhearted, she asked me to pray for her, it just breaks my heart, so if you can say a quick prayer for our lovely friend xxx

Let's get to your lovely cards...….

Brenda

Brenda has been trying out some new embossing folders this week and the cards that she made are beautifully 'Clean & Simple', perfect for this weeks Challenge.

The first card uses a 'Cut & Emboss' folder from Hobbycraft, it's fantastic E Folder,  I can see that beibg used loads. Brenda has embossed a pretty yellow card and added a die cut butterfly for embellishment.

Brenda's second card uses a Embossing folder (also from Hobbycraft), this one is brilliant as it creates the whole card front for you, perfect for thode no 'mojo' days that we all suffer from from time to time! The beauty of it being that all you have to think about is the embellishment!!  

Brenda has used some delicate little flowers arranged beautifully with a narrow ribbon bow, simply exquisite Brenda !!

Thank you so much for taking part xxx

Janet 

Janet has shared 3 fantastic cards for this weeks Challenge,  now Janet's cards are always really luxurious with ribbon and pearls etc so I knew that this theme would really be a 'Challenge ' her!  Having said that, Janet has (as always) smashed the Challenge, I love all three of your cards my lovely.

I love the dies that you have used to create both of the black and white cards and the 'art deco'' style looking corner punch you have used, it really draws your eye in to that lovely image.

Thank you so much for taking part xxx

 Maria

Wow Maria I love all three of your cards, the first one with acetate and snowflakes is stunning.

The second card with that gorgeous snowman is adorable and I love the simplicity of your design. The sparkly snow on those snowballs is just a genius touch.

Your third card is amazing, i love any music score background, so clever using it behind the carol singers, adding the ivy is the perfect finishing touch. 

Thank you so much for 3 very inspirational cards Maria xxx

Karen

Karen has made 3 incredible 'Clean & Simple' Christmas cards for our Challenge this week.

The first two look completely different although they both use the same die, they both work brilliantly, I have to say that that 'Eternal' Embossing Folder from Sue Wilson had always been one of my favourites, it works for every occasion and any gender, it certainly is the perfect backdrop for your Christmas card Karen.

The second card used that same 'Noel' die cut but this time on a Kraft Card background, perfectly 'Clean & Simple' Karen.

Karen's third card uses the SW Paper Cuts Edger die 'Merry Christmas', Karen has simply die cut it on an angle using some incredible paper, I love all of those angles in that paper, I have never seen anything like that before, it gives the illusion of a rocky background.

Thank you so much Karen for 3 fantastic Challenge cards xxx

 Lilian 

Lilian is like Janet and finds 'Clean & Simple' a real 'Challenge!! (Lilian's words). 

Just look how amazing Lilian's clean and simple card is !! I do love that sentiment die, I believe it's one of Crafters Companion's older dies, that beautiful embossed border that you have teamed it with works perfectly, the detail that you would easily overlook but makes the world of difference is those embossed lines that frame the sentiment, it just looks amazing.

Thank you so much Lilian for taking part in this weeks challenge xxx

Michele 

Michele's 'Clean and Simple' Challenge card was a request from a friend, I think you are brilliant for coming up with such a Funny sentiment Michele, it's not your 'Traditional' Christmas card but will certainly be perfect for someone.

I love your design Michele, you are just genius to have come up with such a brilliant design.

Thank you so much for taking part my lovely. xxx

Lynda

Now Lynda would have given anything to be taking part in this weeks challenge, so I searched through my 'Lynda' folder to find cards from our last 'Simple' challenge and found these two fantastic cards!
Both cards are made using Stampin' Up! stamps, Delightful Dahlia and Very Vintage, both stamped in a lovely shade of Blue.
They are both amazing 'Clean and Simple' cards Lynda, I hope you like having another look at them, looking forward to having you taking part in the challenges again very soon my lovely xxx


What a stunning display Ladies, you smashed this challenge, your cards are all completely different and all amazing.
Thank you all so very much xxx

I hope that you enjoy whats left of the weekend,

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra
xxxxxx

Mixed Craft Saturday Featuring Michele's Magazine Review

Good Saturday Morning Ladies,

I hope that you are all well and ready for the weekend, will you all be decorating for Christmas?

Lynda had her operation Thursday to clean our her wound, they had to go a lot deeper than they had anticipated.  (Which they probably wouldn't have had they done the operation a week ago when the Consultant first noticed the problem), I think it's a disgrace.
Lynda had a very low blood count after and as a result she had to have  Blood Transfusions yesterday, she was in a lot of pain yesterday bless her, fingers cross she is feeling brighter today. Hopefully that's it all sorted now and Lynda can start preparing to go home, Lynda if you are well enough to look in today, we are all sending you lots of love and hugs xxxxxxxx

Today I am sharing a little project I have been working on this week, it's another of my swap projects.
I used the Octagonal Box die set by Christina Griffiths (Card Making Magic), instead of using the die set as a flat box as it is intended I added higher sides so that I could pack the inside with some lovely goodies. See the photo below...

I made the base of the box with Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler Card, I found some beautiful papers that complimented the base colours perfectly, I decided to accent with Gold Mirror card to give it a touch of luxury, I used it to die cut some little lattice panels for the edges of the base and lid.  I also decided to finish the edges of the paper by adding narrow gold borders down those corners.

I needed to have something to hold the goodies inside the box, so I used the Octagonal Frame die set also by Christina Griffiths to create these three little trays, I made the little frames in Cherry Cobbler card and added a Vellum Doily and topped that with a Paper Doily, I then pierced a hole in the centre of the trays and added a loop of Red Gingham Ribbon through, securing underneath and covering the 'workings' with a smaller die cut Octagon. I filled all three with Candles, Choccies and some Craft goodies.

The photo above shows the trays ready to pop into the box, (I haven't shown the craft goodies just in case the recipient looks in, unlikely but could happen)!

This photo shows the Gift Box all filled and ready to go!

What do you think?

Karen

Karen has had a really busy week, finishing off those amazing 'Twiddlemuffs' which she donated to a local Residential Home where they will give great comfort their Recipients, Karen it must be so rewarding knowing that your work is going to give someone such comfort and maybe help them to relax.

Karen's second craft project of the week now, how amazing are these absolutely incredibly cute 'Amigurami Alpacas'. Karen made them for the Lady who gave her the photo as a guide, I think that the Alpaca's look hilarious in that photo, the one on the right looks like it is wearing a wig and has had lip implants!.  They are such funny animals aren't they?!

Karen you have done an incredible job, I know the lady that asked for them will love them.

Thank you so much for sharing your makes with us XXX

Michele's Magazine Review

Hi Ladies,

Papercraft Inspirations has a great set of Dies free this month.

Here’s some ideas of what’s inside the magazine.

Just look at the different projects you can make using the free gifts.

Here’s part one on Inspiration for Gift tags.

And part two.

Interesting article on Retiform Stamping-not something I’ve heard of before.

That’s all for this week,

Happy Crafting
Love Michele

Thank you Michele for another Fantastic magazine Review,  I love the free dies that you get with this month's issue, they are quite delicate looking and look very versatile, the inspiration page shows their versatility.  The article on '10 things to make with Gift Tags' is brilliant, I love some of those ideas.

Lastly is the article on 'Retiform' stamping, I have never heard of this technique, it's exciting to find new techniques to explore, it looks like it's a stamping stamping technique that requires you to mask off areas around your stamping, the end result looks almost like decoupage.

Really interesting article, I am going to look into this more.

Thank you so very much Michele for taking the time to put this review together, I really appreciate it XXX


That's all for today Ladies,

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend,

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra
xxxxxx

Your next Challenge

Good Friday morning my lovely Friends,

No news from our Lynda yesterday so I have everything crossed hoping it means she was having surgery!  I will let you know if I here anything x

Brenda how lovely that your hairdresser has kept all of your cards,  it must be fun seeing your 'crafting through the years' and its not vain at all, i love to hear things like this. X

Sue, Pat and I had a lovely day at the Witney Groovi class, the card was very technical this time so I will finish mine at home, the White work is the thing i find hardest, getting the right pressure is an art i think! Luckily the lady that runs it writes really clear step by step instructions so following those it should be easy enough to try and finish at home, i will say though that the picot cutting on this card is very fancy!! 

Sue kindly took my to Sainsbury's after club and pat joined us for a coffee, Paul picked me up from there and we stopped at our Polling Station on the way home, we arranged to meet the girls there to assist them with their first vote, in true Riley style we laughed and joked through the whole thing, the very posh lady at the desk looked horrified when she heard me say to the girls "bear in mind if you vote labour you'll be homeless "!  We were the only ones there at thst time of the evening,  especially in sleepy town! 

We have been talking about the election over the news with the girls this past few weeks, they were thinking of not voting because of not understanding,  we would never try to influence them either way, we just wanted to make sure that had a vague idea so that they felt like they could vote.

Let's just all hope that whichever way it goes the country won't be bought down even further,  I for one would love to hear the end of ,'Brexit', I actually voted to remain but the Country decided differently, we just need to have an end to it.

Next week's Challenge 

I thought that it would be nice to see some 'shaped' cards for our next Challenge. 

Basically I mean anything 'other than' a rectangle!! 

So it could be:

Any shape: Circle, Rectangle, Diamond 

Or 

Use a die to cut the card base, (like the card i have shared with you today).

Or

A 'fancy' fold 

I am excited to see what you all design,  I hope you enjoy the Challenge. 

Paul is getting the Christmas tree and decorations out of the loft when he gets home this afternoon,  so that will be our entertainment this weekend.  Have you all got yours up?? 

I would love to see some photos!! 

Whatever you are doing I hope you have a lovely weekend. 

Love and hugs to all of you 

Sandra

xxxxxx

A Couple of older Clean & Simple Cards

Good Morning Ladies,

I had a bright and early message from Lynda who had just been informed that she hadn't made the Operation List again today, I just feel so sorry for her, I want to call them myself and ask them what on earth is going on (Not that I would of course)! I have been where Lynda is after my second hip replacement I went through hell, I got a bone infection and then my femur broke, meaning that the reconstruction surgery I had waited years for had to all be removed, I waited in hospital on Traction for weeks for my surgeon to get back from a trip to do my surgery (as he wouldn't let anyone else do it), as the days and then weeks go by you do get more and more depressed, people come in, have surgery and then leave and you are stuck there. When I left that hospital I left with my mental health in pieces, I don't think that they understand that when they keep knocking you back.  So Lynda if you are looking in I do understand how you feel, you keep your chin up and don't let this get you down my lovely friend, I so wish I lived closer so that I could come and craft with you every day. Sending you huge hugs xxxx

Exciting day today, it's Groovi Club day, we are having a Christmas buffet lunch today and a Secret Santa Card Swap, I am not as anxious this time as I know exactly what to expect.

My lovely girls are taking me there, having them both driving has made such a difference, I went to the GP's for a Blood Test today without Paul !! Sophie took me because I went with her last week, it meant that I had to put on a brave face too, having Blood taken always makes me feel peculiar, Sophie reminded me a few times that I told her that it wasn't 'too bad' last week when she had hers, (little did I know that they bought some 'Emla (numbing) cream on line and she had liberally applied it to both elbows, quite smart really and this morning I was regretting turning her offer of using some down. (they always have problem finding my vein)! 

I thought we would have a walk down Memory Lane today, these cards are from back in November 2017, the first card is a 'Clean & Simple' Sympathy card that I made using a Stampin Up stamp set,

I simply coloured the stamp on the block using SU Blending pens and the ink pads. then stamped it onto the card and layered with the matching coloured card stock.

The second card is one of Michele's I chose it for it's 'Clean and Simple' style, this is using one of those lovely Embossing folders from Craft Stash, using Black and white just adds to the simplicity but gives it a touch of WOW too, it must have been good as it was a runner up in a magazine at the time!  Lovely card Michele xxxx

I hope that you all have a lovely day,

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra

xxxxxx

A Christmas Groovi card

Good Morning Ladies,

I hope that you are all well and have had no damage from this storm 'Atiyah' that seems to be causing havoc across the country, I hope and pray that you are all safe.

Lynda has had her operation cancelled again today, I can't imagine how disheartened she must be feeling, she did say that she wished she had prepared some stamping or something to colour just to help with the boredom, the days are just so long as they wake you so early on the Wards.  Fingers crossed that today is the day!! xx

Today's card is my latest Groovi card, I made it with that lovely poinsettia corner plate, that I borrowed from Pat, I used it to frame that lovely sentiment that I bought in the Clarity Sale a few weeks back.
After embossing all the detail I decided to colour the Poinsettia's, I tried a few different mediums, pencils, Dorso Crayons and decided to go with my Stampin' Blends  (Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler) as they gave the most depth of colour through the parchment, I added some white pencil to the ribbon. I mounted the Groovi work onto a Cherry Cobble mat and then onto a mat of Old Olive and then onto a white card base that measured 6 1/2 X 6 1/2 inch.
To finish the card I added some Perga Glitter (which is extra fine) around the centres of the flowers and then popped a gemstone in the centre of the flower that I had coloured with my Cherry Cobbler Stampin Blend.

A quiet day for me yesterday, Lucy and I did some 'Online Shopping' had a nice homemade lunch and then I went into my craft room.

Have a lovely day however you are spending it,

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra
xxxxxx

Michele's Cute Christmas Cards

Good Morning Ladies,

Cheryl I was so sorry to read your sad news yesterday, there is no 'good' time to lose a loved one but at this time of the year it seems so much worse, my heart goes out to your Nephew and his daughters, so heartbreaking for you too, sending hugs xxx

Lynda had more frustrating news yesterday, she was preparing to go home having heard nothing from the Consultant since Friday when he told her she was going to go to theatre to have her wound re- stitched, Lynda chased the nurses about it both days but they had no clue and told Lynda that they would re-dress her wound today ready for her to go home.  So Lynda sat positively thinking she was off home today, she did mention to the Nurse that her wound was particularly sore today, so the nurse prepared to redress it, when she took of the dressing Lynda said there was a lot of blood, which there shouldn't be at this stage, infact it should be starting to heal nicely.  The nurse said that Lynda had a Heamotoma under the wound which is the reason it hasn't healed, she obviously called the Consultant who said that they would go ahead with re-stitching her wound, hopefully before FRIDAY, after seeing it for himself he changed the date to today.!!  I think that this is an absolute disgrace, their lack of duty of care is both making Lynda's suffering prolonged and increasing her frustration and low mood.  Lynda if I were you I would be getting Darren or Lisa to complain on your behalf, this should have been dealt with on Saturday or as soon as the consultant knew there was a problem, he said himself that they needed to be really careful to prevent infection in the joint.  I hope they get you sorted today my lovely and can plan when you will be going home. Sending huge hugs xxxx

Today's super cute cards are Our Michele's most recent makes, she had been using up some old papers and toppers to make some amazing Christmas cards.  Michele I wish I could 'batch make ' cards like you do, what a great stash booster.
The cute puppy cards are so lovely, I love how you have embellished them with everything from pretty polka dot ribbon to gorgeous die cut borders.
The Penguin cards are just so adorable, you can't help but smile when you look at them, these ones would be great 'masculine' cards too.
Thank you so much for sharing your Christmas card batch making with us, I am pretty sure that we all have toppers and papers stashed away somewhere so we could also get a batch of cards done at once.  Thanks for inspiring us my lovely.  xxxx

Sophie's GP appointment was Ok, a little frustrating as results were 'inconclusive', they couldn't see anything on the Xray. the GP has referred Soph to a Rheumatology Consultant and for Physiotherapy so hopefully we will get some answers from that.  I think Soph was a little disappointed to have no answer and no end to the pain in sight bless her.

Pat came over, which is going to confuse me for the next couple of days, as I will think that today is Wednesday!  I made some lovely Leek and Potato soup for lunch and we got straight down to a bumper Groovi session, pausing mid afternoon for tea and a chocolate muffin. Such a lovely start to the week, I hope all goes well and the Dentist tomorrow Pat xxxx

That's all for today ladies from a very wet and windy Wiltshire,

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra
xxxxxx

My First Clean and Simple Challenge card

Good Monday Morning Ladies,

I hope that you all had a lovely weekend, I'm pretty sure that if any of you attempted shopping won't have had a 'relaxing' weekend, we had a similar experience as Janet when we popped out yesterday, there were so many people, you can see instantly as you approach the shopping centres and see the long queue for parking that it's going to be a nightmare.  I like to have a look around TK Max for little stocking fillers, they have some nice boxed socks and I managed to get Paul some lovely gardening tools one year, they have lots of sets of 'smellies' (lotions and potions) that look lovely in all the gift packaging, all though thats not great for the planet of course!! I could never look through the clothes in there though as it looks like a jumble sale, I like things organised into sizes and styles etc.  We always manage to pick up some lovely packs of Coffee in there, it's become a tradition, they had everything from 'Pecan Turtle' (I know, don't ask as I have no idea)!  To 'Sugar Cookie' coffee then the girls favourites are the nutty ones, particularly hazelnut, I'm not a huge coffee fan but I can manage one that has a 'sugar cookie or nutty' taste.

Today's card is my first 'Clean & Simple' Challenge card for this week, it really couldn't have been simpler, I just put a piece of white card through the machine with one of the 'Apple Blossom' embossing folders, which has 'Merry Christmas' all over the bottom and mini holly sprigs across the top half, with stars flowing through the centre band.  I was going to die cut some Holly to add or add some red to the berries but I thought 'No' I am going to keep it as simple as possible, white on white with clear sparkles!! I did manage to pick up a little of the sparkle in the photo but it hasn't picked them all up which is a shame, you get the idea though.  As the embossing has 'Merry Christmas' written all over bottom I decided not to add another sentiment.
I quite like the effect, quite a quick and easy Clean and Simple card to start the week.

Lynda is hoping to see the Consultant again this morning so that she can get some answers, fingers up the wound has started to heal and she will no longer need the extra surgery.  Sending hugs my lovely, we are all thinking of you and sending you healing hugs. XXX

I have GP today with Sophie for the results of her bloods and Xrays to find out the cause of her wrist pain, then Pat is coming over this afternoon instead of tomorrow as she has the Dentist, so I think the day will go fast.

I hope you all have a lovely day,

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra
xxxxxx