Mixed Up Saturday

Good Morning Ladies,

A mixed bag of goodies for you today, some lovely cards, a crafty recommendation and some shopping!!   Enjoy.......

Karen

Karen made the first of her cards for the Apprentice at work, I will add Karen's description below.....

The card for our apprentice She loves owls The papers are from a Lidl pack which I used bits of to make the owl and the sentiment is a shape within ScanNCut.

I absolutely love this card Karen, I bet she absolutely loved this card, I bet there is a real buzz in your office when anyone is opening your cards, you go to so much trouble to make the cards special to its recipient.

Karen's 'Chelsea Pensioner' card was inspired by the 50th Birthday Card that Maria made for my birthday, it was the 'La Pashe' card, with the old lady that looked just like me! Haha

"The Chelsea Pensioner one was inspired by the card MARIA sent you by La Pashe He’s an avid fan and even went to a “uniform” fancy dress party dressed as one when his daughter would not allow him to wear his football kit"

Thank you so much for sharing both of your cards Karen, they are so very inspirational.

XXX

 Michele

Michele has been doing a bit of shopping, I bet they were all bargains!! 

"Recent purchases-the music stencil & Fairy Stamps were a bargain, just send £2:49 p+p. The next 3 items were from Craftstash-the sentiment stamps were half price at  £4:99 and I ordered the other two items to qualify for free postage!"

Thanks Michele for sharing your shopping with us. 

XXX

Brenda

Brenda has discovered a New Magazine, it's called "Love Card making" in Asda before Christmas, the one she bought was issue 2, so after a search online Brenda found issue 1 online at a reduced price, then found issue 3 in WHSmith.  

Brenda says the magazine is really good, with lots of Tutorials and everything is explained really clearly, so if any of you fancy a crafty read this sounds like a good buy, I think I might see if I can pick one up, although I don't think I'll be reading magazines for a week or too! 

Thank you so much Brenda for sharing your fantastic find.

XXX

That's all for today ladies, thank you for sharing your different photos today ladies, I am so grateful for you all supporting me through this awkward time.  I hope to resume normal service ASAP!

I am currently sat on the lounge floor (in old house) uploading this blog for tomorrow, I have had a very busy day, the highlight of which was organising my new pantry!!!

Have a lovely weekend my lovelies, 

Love and hugs

Sandra

xxxxxx

Something Floral For Friday

Good Morning Ladies,

It's move day 1 today, we pick up our keys this morning, I am quite excited, it will be lovely to be moved in and settled.
We won't have internet at the new house until Tuesday/Wednesday though so I will have to schedule some posts, I'm not sure how long it will be before my craft room is back together, I have packed my 'everyday ' craft store stuff so that it's easily accessible, so fingers crossed it won't take long.   Please keep sending your cards so that I can use them to fill posts that I can't make card for. Thanks XXX

Today's stunning 'Floral Friday' card has been designed by Pat, using her 'Groovi' plate, this is such a gorgeous design Pat, so delicate and you have coloured it beautifully. I can't wait to see some more of these style cards.  Thank you so much for sharing it with us xxx

I hope you all have a lovely weekend,

Love and hugs

Sandra
XxxxxX

A Special Card by Brenda

Good Morning Ladies,

Today's card is a very special card that Brenda made for her Friends 80th birthday back in December.

It is made with Sue Wilson's 'Azores' Die set from The 'Atlantic Collection', it looks amazing Brenda, the 'tone on tone' colour theme really shows the die set off beautifully.

Your stunning hand made roses in that delicate peach/pink add that 'extra special' touch,  I love how you have placed them as if they were growing on the stem.  Your sentiment and that delicate butterfly are the perfect finishing touch. 

Thank you so much for sharing your card with all of us. XXX

I would like to apologise because for some reason half of yesterday's blog didn't post.

I basically explained that Sue and I did lots of packing in my craft room, to the point that you could hardly move in there!  We also went out for lunch, which was a nice break from this chaotic house!  Thanks for a lovely day Sue XXX

Yesterday Pat and I went out for a birthday lunch at Pat's favourite place (Aston Pottery), we ate and had a lovely browse around the shop, they have some lovely gifts but can be quite pricey!  I hope you enjoyed your lunch Pat XXX

When I got back I packed more of my craft room, it just keeps coming, there is a vast difference between what I use and what I have !! But as I said before I have been crafting for 15 years and I have quite a range of 'Crafting Through the ages' tools, I think  I might do a post about the different tools etc.

Sue and I were laughing at some of my very old cards, which gave us the idea of having a blog post featuring your first cards, are you brave enough, I think we will all be in the same boat! Card styles have changed quite a lot. 

I hope that you all have a lovely day,

love and hugs,

Sandra

xxxxxx

A Special Congratulations Card

Happy Birthday Pat 

xxxxx

Good Morning Ladies,

Firstly today I would like to wish Our Pat and Very Happy Birthday, I hope you have a lovely day, sending you lots of love and hugs. Xxxxxx

Today's card is a little bit of a 'WOW', Glitz and Glam card,  I made it for the lovely Danielle Rose, why has reached 1000 Subscribers on YouTube!!! 

The funny thing is, I went over to Dannii's YouTube channel to watch her prize giveaway and noticed that as 'Cotswoldcrafter'  I wasn't subscribed to her channel, so I hit 'Subscribe' and I was her 1000th subscriber, what where the chances, I'm still waiting for my prize though ;) ! 

The prize is a beautiful Journal that Dannii has made, it's absolutely amazing, I you want to take part all you have to do is send Dannii a 'Congratulations' card before end of January and she will put everyone's name into a draw. I will leave a link below if you want to go and take part. 

Danielle's Prize Draw 

Now onto my card, I used one of the new Designer Series Paper collections called   'Painted With  Love' . I took one of my favourite sheets and used that as the base for the card, I added in some of the accent colours of this paper collection too,    'Melon Mambo, Calypso Coral, & Rich Razzleberry'.   

I then used my Large Number Framelits to cut 1000 and mounted it onto my Easel card base, I then used a collection of different Stampin'Up! Flower stamps and their matching dies to create the last little flower arrangements around the numbers.

I die cut a SU 'Celebrate' I Gold Mirror card to match the numbers and mounted this as my stopper on the base of the card. A tiny gold bow topped with a Rich Razzleberry flower was the final Flourish! 

I do hope that Dannii likes her card, while you are over at her YouTube channel you may see the video of her opening my card.

Sue's DL Challenge card

Good Morning Ladies,

I didn't get Sue's Challenge card in time to share with all of you, so as promised I will ALWAYS share any challenge card that you go to the trouble of making.

Sue has used one of Sue Wilson's Striplet dies to create this amazing DL card, the Striplet dies are perfect for this size and shape card. Sue has layed the die cut over a piece of glitter card, and then matted that onto a piece of white card, this panel was them adhered to that pretty purple background card and Sue has then added a die cut sentiment on top a piece of matching ribbon.  To finish the card Sue has added some pretty pearls and a Sue Wilson 'Itty Bitty Bow' die cut out of the matching card.

A really lovely Challenge card Sue, thank you so much for taking part. XXX

Sue is popping over today which I am really looking forward to, I made need o put her to work though! Maybe we can finish packing my craft room!! 

I spent yesterday packing on and off, I decided to tackle our utility room, if I said I filled 3 huge boxes full of Tupperware/lock top boxes, mixing bowls etc that would be an understatement, we have tons of the stuff!  I am therefore binning every single take-away tub that we we to have hoarded too, is it a sign of my age that I look at a plastic container and think 'ooh that might come in handy' ?!!!

I hope you have a lovely day,

Love and hugs

Sandra
xxxxxx

Monday Tic Tac Toe Challenge

My Challenge Card

The Challenge

Michele's Challenge card

Good Monday Morning Ladies,

Well here we are at the start of a very busy and exciting week, we managed to get lots of packing done on the weekend, still lots to do, it's taking a little longer as I really want to sort through things and get rid of anything we no longer need.  The food cupboards are in my sights today, I am pretty sure there will be some out of date time etc lurking in the back of the cupboards, Paul also has a habit of putting sauce bottles etc back in the cupboard with the tiniest drop of sauce in, so they will all go, I do like a good clean out every now and then and it's so much easier to do without anyone watching you! 

Onto today's challenge, I decided for a Tic Tac Toe as they work so well for just about any card that you need to make, which makes it easier for taking part in the Challenge. I thought of you Janet with the 'Watercolour' category, you could use one of your pretty stamped images that you watercoloured last week. This one had a 'stencil' category to which is something different, I'm pretty sure we all have them somewhere.  I do hope you all enjoy it, I look forward to seeing your cards.

My card uses Categories : Background stamp/Birthday /die cutting

Michele did a card to inspire you too, her categories were: Circles/Birthday theme/ Favourite colour.  

A fantastic card Michele, thank you for helping me out. XXX.

I am trying to sort the internet etc for the new house but I need to have a phone number so I will make a few calls today to see if I can find out if there is one existing or if we can have a new one, this is the first time in 15 years we have had a new number so I have to make a list of who to contact etc. So many thungs to think of. 

I hope you all have a lovely start to your week,

Love and hugs,

Sandra 

xxxxxx

Your Challenge Cards

Good Morning Ladies,

Welcome to your favourite day of the week, its so lovely to get the chance to see what everyone else comes up with for the same design, you all think and craft so differently too, so the cards are always so individual, so without further delay lets see your cards.......

Brenda

Brenda has shared 3 amazing DL cards with us this week, the first is stunning, using Tim Holtz Wild Flower Die cuts, A Stampin' UP! Happy Birthday Die cut both covered with Pebeo Gilding Wax to give that gorgeous Metallic shine. 

Brenda's second card is Stampin'Up! 'Beautiful you' stamps, (lady) and the SU 'Watercolour' Background stamp to create the lovely background. Its so effective, I love this card.

Brenda's third card is one from her card box, its one of the first card that she made, I absolutely love that butterfly Brenda, I can tell you now this card is 100 times better than the first cards that I made.

Thank you so much for taking part this week Brenda.

XXX

 Danni

Dannii made this absolutely gorgeous card for this weeks 'DL' challenge, she has used the Stampin'Up! Petal Palette stamp set for this card, the card is such a lovely colour theme too in a beautiful delicate pink and silver, I love this card Dannii, thank you so much for taking part.

XXX

Janet

Janet has made three amazing 'DL' cards for this weeks Challenge, here is Janet's description of where the images are from:

"The first one is from a CD by 'Cupcake Crafting' called 'Imagination'

The second is from 'Craft U Print'

The third is a combination of another  CD by 'Cupcake Crafting' called 'Botanicals Collection' for the flower and the lady is a stamp from 'Beecrafty'

Thank you Janet for 4 amazing cards.

XXX

 Karen

Karen, 3 amazing challenge  cards from you this week, all completely different too, I love how you have designed all three of these cards, here is Karen's description of where her images are from:

a) MCS image I covered the image in Glossy Accents which makes it look like a ceramic tile/cabochon - difficult to photograph.

b) all die cuts - so easy I think that’s the quickest card I’ve ever made - no mats and layers C) Stamping! It’s a JL stamp when he was with CE A small die cut in the corners and 3 colours of Nuevo drops

Thank you so much for taking part this week Karen, I certainly wasn't expecting to see 3 cards my lovely.

XXX

 Lilian

Lilian, OMG, such a beautiful card, I know you said in your email that you had gone back to 'what you know best' for this weeks 'DL' challenge but my goodness me that method really works, your card is absolutely stunning, I love the backing paper you have used Lilian, its beautiful, the tiny accents of glitter and tiny pearls absolutely bring that paper to life, that label die you have used is gorgeous, so delicate and the pretty pink butterfly is the most perfect embellishment.  I also love that pearl trimmed lace.  Thank you so much for taking part, stick to what you know best Lilian as it really does work perfectly. (and doesn't make nearly as much mess as inky backgrounds).

XXX

 Lynda

Lynda, two absolutely amazing 'DL' cards for this weeks challenge, they are both very different and amazing birthday cards.

The first card Lynda made doing some weaving with old card and putting a hexagonal frame over it, 

she added that to the centre of the DL card and the added some 'Tuck In' die cuts to embellish the card.

The second card Lynda made by die cutting Sue Wilson's 'Industrial Chic Corner' out of black card,

placed it onto the top corner of the card onto a red background, she then added the matching Butterfly die cut and the vertical greeting to finish the card.

Thank you so much for taking part in this weeks challenge Lynda.

XXX

 Margaret

Margaret, my goodness you have been busy stamping this week, I love all three of your 'DL' cards.

The first of Margaret's cards was made by using an 'Arched Window' shaped die with a beautiful intricate pattern, the die cut is so beautifully detailed all that is required is a sentiment.

Margaret's second and third cards are both beautiful 'random' stamped cards, that gives a lovely detailed background, all that was required was a sentiment and Margaret added those on a pretty punched label.

Thank you so much for all three of your cards Margaret.

XXX

 Maria

Maria managed to send in two stunning 'DL' cards for this weeks Challenge, I certainly didn't expect you to have time to make these before leaving for your holiday.

Maria's first card is just so adorable, I believe its a decoupage image from a Joanna Sheen cdrom (but it maybe just be sheets of decoupage) either way its such a lovely image, I love it.

Maria's second card was created by Maria playing with Pixie Powders, she added them to a serviette and just look how amazing the effect is, it looks amazing Maria, you must have been so pleased with the results, Maria then made a base card and frame to compliment the colours in the pixie powders, a totally amazing card Maria.

Thank you so much for taking part on such a busy week.

XXX

 Michele

Michele made two fantastic cards for this weeks 'DL' Challenge.

The first a lovely 'Art Deco' image that Michele has cut out and mat and layered (perfectly as always) onto complimentary coloured background, the finishing touch is a beautifully tied bow.

Michele's second card is SO cute, just look at those adorable hedgehogs! 3 gorgeous images die cut and placed onto a complimentary mat, Michele has then arranged these across the card on top of a piece of matching background paper.

Thank you so much Michele, I know you have had a super busy week at work and then had to look after poor Phil when you got home, I really appreciate you making time to take part.

XXX

Val 

Val, I really wasn't expecting any challenge cards from you this week, you had such an incredibly busy week last week and then had the preparations for your holiday this week, made even more busy by Lynn being off her feet.

You have made to absolutely fantastic Valentines Day cards I love the cute image on the second card, I have also always loved that Heart Memory Box die. I just know that these will fly off the shop shelves, I don't want to even guess how many Valentine cards you had to make.

Thank you so very much my lovely, I really hope that you, Lynn and Paul are having a lovely time.

XXX

Another fantastic display of cards, I can't image a more varied range of cards, from CD images to Pixie Powder water coloured backgrounds, decoupage to weaving and stamping to die cutting, you have pretty much covered everything.

You are bloomin amazing!!!

Thank you all so very much, today you will find me in my craft room preparing next weeks challenge, after that, hhhmmm I think you can guess what I will be doing!

Have  a lovely Sunday,

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra

xxxxxx