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