Mixed Up Saturday

 

Crafting, Because it's cheaper than therapy..

Until you see the receipt from the craft shop! 

Good Saturday Morning Ladies, 

How are you all doing?  Have you got anything nice planned for the weekend?  

For us it will be more of the same, I have managed to swim in the sea for 3 days in a row,  although it seemed a bit colder yesterday, we still stayed in for getting on for a couple of hours, I was just floating in a large inflatable ring, it was pure heaven!          We may go and do some touring around over the weekend,  I'm up for it but I think Paul and girls are just happy to relax and read.  

As we walked through Sand Dunes to the next town along the coastal path, there was a lovely floral scent in the air, it was coming from these lovely flowers, there were loads of them,  so I took some photos so that I could find out what they are called.  They are called Sea Daffodils or Sand Lily's. 

Creative Stamping Magazine 

Issue 138

I finally found an issue of Creative Stamping that I would use, I look every month but simply haven't liked one issue for months, so I am pleased that I cancelled my subscription. 

I quite liked the the Colarado Craft Company stamps in this issue, plus the inspiration was good too.   So I thought I would share it with you  

Vanessa Hodgson has used the stamps with the Emboss Resist technique and I love how they have all turned out, especially the green one!  She has mostly used Distress inks.  

Helen has used the stamps to create different Wreaths, the stamps work perfectly,  its good to use all the little stamps too.  I have shared a close up of her method of creating wreath without stamp platform.  (Just zoom in) 

Sarah Phelan has given us a Tissue Paper Technique Masterclass.   She has used it to create 5 different projects.  Using  Layered Stamps, stamps with stencils, Sprays amd Inks to give different effects too.  The one hint she gives is to use the slightly rougher side of the tissue paper.  Use glue in fine layers too to prevent the paper tearing.  Use strong tones to add colour as the tissue paper will mute the colours.  She has greated a lovely selection of cards.  If you want any more information please let me know.

Glynis has used the free paper downloads to create these beautiful cards in traditional Christmas colours. 

Mel Jones has done a "Stretch Your Stash' feature on Nesting Dies,  she has created some really different effects.  I have to say I really live those Chloe Creative cards Decorative Square dies on the third card 😍.  

Vicky has used the papers combined with the stamps to create some great Christmas gift ideas.

Maggie has used the stamps in a totally different way,  all of these cards have a Contemporary/ Clean and Simple style.  I especially love the last two. 

I really like the inspiration in this magazine,  I think that the different techniques are all things that we would all use too. 

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I hope that you all have a lovely Saturday, 

Sending love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra

xxxxxx

Something Floral for Friday

 

Good Friday Morning Ladies, 

How are we on the second week of our holiday already, its going way too fast.!!!  We had another lovely day yesterday,  the sea was perfectly calm in the morning so I got to go in the sea for the second day,  the girls and Paul are so patient when it comes to helping me in and out.  They had a good hour out on the paddleboard while we watched on, I do worry about how far out they go, I know that they are adults but you don't stop worrying about them do you?

Today's card is one from 2020.....

The card that I have chosen for today is a lovely bright and vibrant, 'Summery Flower' card, the stamp I used is  Stampin Up! 'Corner Garden', I absolutely love this stamp and managed to get for a bargain price from a lovely lady that was de-cluttering.  I will add the description below......

 I stamped the image and coloured it with pencils then I matted it onto card that was similar colours to the flowers on the card.  I was really pleased with how this card turned out, so bright and cheerful.  

I hope that you all have a lovely Friday,

My love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra

xxxxxx

 

Good Morning Ladies, 

Well yesterday turned out to be the best day so far, firstly we picked up the girls and then got back and changed for beach ⛱️ and ........

The sea was so calm I was able to get in !!!! Once I was in I did not want to get out,  can you believe it calmed down on my birthday?!  Best gift ever !!        We stayed in for a good hour and then sat and did puzzle books together for a couple of hours, mind you the girls nodded off after an hour as they had been up since 3am.   We all went back and had a cuppa and cake and got ready for our meal out and a walk around the old town,  it makes for interesting experience as the streets are all cobbled, so I end up shaken not stirred!! 

A simple card today in a different colour way, I really like the navy with neutral tones.  The paper is from Dainty Flowers dsp (shock 🙄) I embossed the white panel with fern embossing folder and used Fern stamp and die set for the focal image.  I added a ribbon bow to finish. 

Thank you all so very much for my lovely birthday messages, they made my day extra special I am so blessed to have such amazing friends ❤

Love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra xxx

 

Good Wednesday Morning Ladies, 

I guess it's going to be an exciting day today,  I can't think why???😉😂....  oh of course it's because we are picking the girls up from Girona airport this morning,  hmmm maybe, or could it be that we are booked at our favourite restaurant tonight,  maybe that's it, I don't think anything else is happening 🤔 😜!! 

I had to laugh yesterday we ended up having such a list of things that the girls needed to bring with them, all definitely things we can live without and had girls not been coming would have had to do without,  Paul forgot his tablet/computer thing, then he forgot his precise coffee measuring spoon, I had to order more suncream for my face, i am trying out a new that is supposed to help reduce dark spots, something i started to get in  past couple of years, probably down to me being 57 !!! 

Todays card is made with some little offcuts of my favourite Dainty Flowers Dsp, I used 1 piece from the main/larger patterned paper and the three little squares are from the back of another piece, they are all lavender themed.  I matted with Blackberry Bliss card.  

I hope that you all hace a lovely Wednesday, 

Love and hugs to all, 

Sandra xxx

Another of Karen's Amazing Milestone Birthday cards

 

Good Morning Ladies, 

We made it to the beach yesterday morning,  which felt like a triumph,  although aa it turned out the sea was too rough for me to get in, but just being sat listening to the waves was enough.  We stayed about 4 hours but the wind picked up so we came back home for a nice leisurely lunch and sat and read our books for a couple hours.  We were both quite hot then so we decided to go to the pool for a 🏊‍♂️ swim.   In the evening there was a show on so we went and had a look at that, they don't start until after 9pm though, so we had dinner first,  I tried something different with rice, I put a chicken oxo in the water that I cook it in (I do the 1 cup ricr - 2 cup water method) so the water gets totally absorbed by the rice, as it finished simmering I tipped in frozen peas and put lid on for atleast 10 minutes.  The chicken stock made such a difference,  it was delicious, I marinated some chicken earlier in day and Paul cooked that on our Gas Cadac cooker outside.  A simple dinner but delicious!  

This morning there isn't a breath of wind, its a bit overcast though, hopefully the sun will break through soon.  Today is our last day of peace as we pick the girls up tomorrow! 

Today I am sharing another one of Karen's amazing Milestone Birthday cards.  Rob is a spring chicken compared the the last cards recipient (90)!!  

Karen's Description:

So for our greenkeeper Rob I’d surpassed myself with Fred’s So Mick’s and now Rob’s was harder They’ll all be signing each others too which hasn’t helped!

I think Rob's card couldn't be more perfect, with having the lawnmower etc, absolutely brilliant,  you also have the Club logo in the background.  I would love to know what they all said when they saw the card!!  I feel that you may have started something thats going to be keeping you very busy!   There is no greater joy than watching someone open one of your creations though, its nerve racking before hand but as aoon as you see their face light up it gives you a great feeling inside.

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

I hope that you all have a good day,

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra xxx

Something bright to start the week

Good Monday Morning Ladies, 

We were well and truly teased yesterday morning,  we got up and had breakfast around 8am and there wasn't a breath of wind, so we got ready for the beach thinking "ooh the weather forecast was wrong ",  packed the bare essentials because we thought thst we'd only stay an hour as the wind was bound to pick up as I checked 2 forecasts.  We set off all excited to be finally getting our toes in the Med  !!! As we approached the beach gate I said "oh it sounds like its quite rough" but we carried on, got along the walk way to see proper surfing 🏄‍♂️ 🌊 🏄‍♀️  body boarding waves!  🤣😔 there was no way I was getting in there, it was also quite windy on the beach, so we retreated to the pool, got our sunbeds in the shade,  Paul came back and changed our beach stuff to pool stuff and got his book and my kindle, we then got straight in the pool while it was so quiet and had a good hour 🏊‍♂️ swimming and relaxing.  Our decision was a good one as by about 11am the wind had really picked up and everyone was leaving the beach and coming to pool.  We stayed until around 4.30pm, came home and got ready to take the coastal path to the next village, it takes about 45 minutes,  we had a lovely pizza there last year so decided to go back and see if it wss still good,  we weren't disappointed.  The owner insisted Paul have a free liqueur at the end of our meal,  it was black, looked awful,  it was aniseed flavour,  he said it was quite nice, I tastes a tiny bit and to me it tasted like Night Nurse !!  I was worried he was going to tip me over the sand dunes on the way back!!   I can see the headlines "Drunk in charge of wheelchair "  It would have been an interesting landing as its a nudist beach at that part 🤣😂

I used my "Expressions in Ink' stamps, dies and papers to create this card.  I die cut the the main piece and popped it in my stamp platform,  I then roughly placed the background stamps in the right position on the die cut, so that you could see the inked flowers/ foliage through the die cut,  its impossible to get it exact,  but it still looks really effective.  I used a gold striped piece from the matching papers as the background,  the sentiment is a Tim Holtz stamp. 

I hope that you all have a good start to the week and enjoy the Bank Holiday, 

Love & Hugs to all,

Sandra xxx

Your Embossed cards

 

Good Sunday Morning Ladies, 

Bon Dias from a wild & windy Costa Brava today,  can you believe we have been here 3 days and I still haven't sat my bottom on the beach or got my feet wet!!  It's blue skies and sunny but that 'tramontana" wind is blowing a gale.  So we have avoided the beach as being sandblasted is no fun!  We have been laying in the walled green area by the pool for the last two days, its been so relaxed, which us just what the doctor ordered! 

Today I am sharing your lovely embossed cards,  now I know I haven't set a challenge for next week I'd still really appreciate if you could make a card, whether its using a favourite technique or your favourite product, maybe something new?!  

Your Embossed Cards 

Lilian 

Lilian's Description:

Hi, hope all going well on your hols.

This my card for this week, another of my failures.

I used imagination crafts starlight paints.

Trouble is the black ink would not stick to the metallic paint.

I quite liked the finished effect so I thought I would use it. 

Using the imagination craft paints was a brilliant idea and just look at those amazing colours, wow!i would say that's a 100 % success. 

I hope you are having a lovely weekend with your family. 

Thank you so much for such a lovely card XXX 

Karen

Karen's Description:

A card  for the challenge 3 different embossing folders on SueW decorative tags with an Anna Marie tag

Wow Karen I love how this card turned out, those embossed tags are lovely and look so effective against that lovely background.

Thank you so much for your ongoing support XXX

Maria

Maria's Description:

I've made two embossed cards for Sunday. Hope they are ok.

Maria they are more than ok, they are amazing,  I love how deep the emboss is on both cards, the silver looks so dramatic against the black card.

I love the gold sparkle on the frane around your sentiment and on the Butterfly.

Thank you so much for continuing to support the Blog abd challenges my lovely XXX 

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I hope that you all have a lovely Sunday,

Love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra

xxxxxx

Mixed Up Saturday

 

Good Saturday Morning Ladies, 

So as i was about to start writing today's blog post I had to change plans, I  totally thought it was Friday today not Saturday,  luckily Paul was switched on and stopped me last minute!!  My head is away with the fairies half the time.  

Nothing exciting has happened here, we spent yesterday by the pool, reading, picnicking and people watching, if it's not too windy we will go to the beach tomorrow , if mother nature is "kind" i may get to have a swim!! 

Lilian's Cushions

Lilian's Description:

These are the cushion covers that I made this week, it’s the wacky fabric that does all the work. Simple envelope style, no buttonholes or zips to do.

Will try and get a better picture of them a bit closer.

Enjoy your hols when you get there.

Oh Lilian I love that fabric so much, all of those kitties, the colours are so lovely too.  Thank you so much for sharing them with us xxx

Maria's Description:  

Hello, hoping that you have a lovely day and enjoying some sunshine. We have sunshine at the moment but during the night it wasn't very nice with storm Lilian.

I've made two embossed cards for Sunday. Hope they are ok.

I also sending you a and a couple of my crystal arts, the seven dwarfs and one for the craft room. They are funny ones.😂 

Oh Maria they are lovely,  I think the crafting one is something we could a use as a permanent reminder of the mess we get in to it. 

 Thank you so much for sharing your amazing art with us my lovely xxx

Its so lovely to see your 'other ' crafts on show today.  

I hope that you all have a lovely Saturday 

Sandra xxx 

Something Festive for Friday

 

Good Friday Morning Ladies, 

I hope that today finds you all in good spirits,  Karen I imagine you will be exhausted after the fun you have with the boys,  I'm sure that any aches and pains are worth every minute that you spent entertaining them.  

We had a very quiet day yesterday,  just sat by the mobile home, Paul kept nodding  off in his chair so I suggest we just went to bed.  We both needed it. Well I Hope the warm sunshine stretches far enough to cover you too. 😘

Todays card is a 'throw back' card from 2018,  its a fu technique,  using juat ine colour!!

I have added the YouTube tutorial link below:

https://youtu.be/0EfFco07WTw

Today's card is one that I made 6 years ago (although it only seemed like last year) I am sure that most of you have a Christmas/Fir Tree stamp that you could use to make this card, thats pretty much all you need, that and one ink pad, it literally takes 10 minutes to make. There are two cards featured above as I wanted to show the difference between adding a white mat and not having one, I think it draws your eye in and makes the design stand out more. I think that this card would work well for a Christmas card for a Man, don't you?

Here is the Technique 

I took a piece of Whisper White card and then die cut a circle to use as a moon mask, I held that in place and blended the Night of Navy ink across the card, quite heavy at the top, continuing down to about half way and then blending out to the bottom of the card. I then Spritzed the card with a fine mist of water, I blotted it off and quickly dried it. I then took the large Christmas tree stamp and stamped it repeatedly over the bottom half of the card, no need to mask either.

Lastly I tapped a Waterbrush loaded with Whisper White ink over the card which gave the snow effect and stamped the sentiment inside the moon. You can also use a White Posca pen for the snow, it actually gives a 'whiter' snow.

I did two versions, one with and one without the white mat, it looks so much brighter with that white mat, it seems to pick up the white in the card.

The Card measurements are as follows:

Base Card 4 1/8 X 5 1/2 Inch Night of Navy

White Mat 3 7/8 X 5 1/4 Inch Whisper white

Top layer 3 6/8 X 5 1/8 Inch

You can actually make this card any size that you choose.

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No new challenge this week,  I would love it you could make cards using your favourite colours  and your favorite technique.  

I hope that you all have a great Friday,

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra xxx 

Ps.  I apologise if there are a few mistakes in this I literally kept falling asleep as I was writing it, even though it was only 9pm ! 

A Butterfly Easel from Gina

 

Good Morning Ladies, 

We arrived in good time yesterday afternoon after a leisurely drive from Millau, we had plenty of stops as it was really warm and we were drinking lots of water. I am taking every precaution for my bladder, I will say that 'Mother Nature' was exceptionally generous this month, 😉🙄 which also added to the need for frequent stops! 

The Reps that greeted us are extremely lovely,  he kept referring to us as VIP's because we have been coming here so many years.  He asked when the girls were coming out, then he saw our Cafetiere,  he said you really do come prepared,  I told him that it was a compromise as we couldn't fit coffee maker in and girls were coffee addicts,  we said goodbye and got to unpacking,  5 mins later he appeared with a coffee machine, he said 'we keep a couple for Vip's"  he even bought some coffee, asked if we needed tea or anything else. So thoughtful and so kind.  

As I am writing this Paul has gone to pick up a roast chicken from the restaurant which we will have with some salad and fresh bread.  Then we will have an early night. 

Today's card is one of Our Gina's,  

Gina's Description:

 This card is made using a heartfelt creation butterfly stamp and die i bought some years ago but love the set usually make an easel card with it.

 Such a lovely card Gina, great idea creating an Easel card with it.  The colours you have used work really well too.  Thank you so much for sharing it with us XXX 

I hope that you all have a good Thursday, 

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra xxx

Inked Embossing Folder card

Good Wednesday Morning Ladies,

Its the last leg of our journey today, I think we are both looking forward to getting there and relaxing,  we have a week here on our own before the girls fly in.  We don't have any plans other than relaxing for this first week, the best part of the holiday for me is to see Paul relax, I mean properly relax without needing to mow the lawn or water the garden. He has 5 books to read,  which I'm sure will keep him entertained.  I have my Kindle with a few books including a couple about Mirian Margoleyes, which I think will be very entertaining 😄! 

Update on Becca, she was very sore yesterday, so I got Adam to organise her pain meds so that she is taking them regularly,  Soph went last night to plait Becca's hair to make it easier to mansge, Lucy has been popping in to help out and is going to sit with her while Adam pops into work, she asked me to thank you for your good wishes x

Lilian I would love to be able to share your new cushions if you wouldn't mind x 

Todays card I made on Friday I used three shades of Blue Distress Oxides smooshed onto the smooth side of the embossing folder,  then spritzed with water, I popped a piece of watercolour card in that I had spritzed with water and ran through the machine a few times, I did add a little more ink and re-embossed. I was quite pleased with the results.

 I didn't want to cover too much of the background,  so I die cut an oval frame, added a couple of leafy sprigs to match the embossed design and the added my die cut 'Pocket Full of Happiness'  Thank You. It didn't take me long, infact the longest part was choosing the mat colours and deciding on a sentiment ! 

I hope that you all have a good day,

Love & hugs to all,

Sandra xxx

A Brilliantly Funny Milestone card by Karen

 

Good Morning Ladies, 

Well yesterday seemed to be a very long day, I was mentally exhausted from the last few days of organising,  we were up at 7am for breakfast  as Paul wanted to be at Tunnel station in plenty of time,  while we were having breakfast I was in a message conversation with Becca who was already at hospital in preparation for her elbow surgery,  she was told she was first on the list so would be going down at around 8.45am,  she seemed fine but I could see she was nervous,  Adam was brilliant at keeping her company and distracted her mind.  We got on the road,  8 45 came and went, we were waiting at Tunnel Duty Free area to be called to board, only to be told that there was a delay,  an hour or more,  so I could have had an extra hour in bed!!  By now it was 11.30 and still Becca was waiting,  she was starting to get nervous and agitated,  which is understandable,  she was then told she was second on the list, her reply was "well i kind of worked that out'  she didn't end up going down to theatre until after 1pm,  Adam said he was relieved she had been taken as her nerves were getting the better of her.  We got on train at 12.10 ish and left at 12.20.  It was the longest afternoon,  i was constantly checking my phone,  it was supposed to take an hour to an hour 15 minutes,  she wasn't out until 5pm, she looked so poorly bless her, I was trying to hide the shock on my face, she definitely had a green tinge, the anaesthetic didn't agree with her.  She was shivering cold too.  She was getting frustrated as she was really sick but they were insisting that she ate an egg sandwich so they could send her home.  They had also prescribed her morphine but the pharmacy at the hospital was closed so it would take another 4 hours to get a prescription,  so they sent her home with codeine and told her to call her surgery today.   The operation was a success, they think they have got 95% of the movement back in her elbow 💪 which is amazing.   She needs to be patient now and recover,  she has been signed off work for 4 weeks.  

We hit Paris at rush hour but it wasn't too bad, we got to our hotel at about 7pm, so not too bad, but it felt like this day was a week long!!  They never warn you that you will worry as much about your children even when they are adults in the books about becoming parents !! 🤣

I am so honoured to be sharing one of Karen's recent 'Milestone ' Birthday cards.  They are so incredibly clever!  

Karen's Description:  

The latest milestone card 

As you can see it is for another member of the bowls club

The club badge in the background and the image has been used by the club in a poster I have decoupaged the bowlers and used glossy accents on the woods.

Karen you are so skilled when it comes to Serif, using the club badge as the background is genius and makes for such a brilliant personalised card. 

Thank you so much for allowing me to share your card.  XXX 

I hope that you all have a good day,

Love & Hugs to all,

Sandra xxx 

White Embossing on Distress oxide background

 

Good Monday Morning Ladies, 

We have an early start today and a l9ng journey ahead but thats made much easier because I have the best travelling companion,  I will no doubt be struggling by the end of today due to stiffness and pain but I am used to that, Paul makes sure that we stop often for toilet breaks and having a little walk about for our circulation!  We will be listening to a fun selection of nostalgic music along the way too.

Now while I was waiting for Paul to finish the packing I got another card made,  I went for a Distress oxide background using  Broken China, Cracked Pistachio & Wilted Violet inks, I started by smooshing the colours onto my craft mat individually,  spritzed well with water and dipping my watercolour card in, drying between layers,  once I was happy with the inking I blended a little of the Broken China around the edges. Once I had made sure my background was totally dry I did a quick dusting over with antistatic bag.  I decided on Hero Arts Leafy Swirl (I think), I inked it with Versamark and repeated as I think the ink gets more absorbed when you have used Oxides,  after a good inking I used white Embossing powder and heat set.  I love that delicate, swirly design over that lovely background. I finished the card with a die cut Hello and a printed sentiment.  

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

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra xxx

Your Embossing challenge cards

 

Good Sunday Morning Ladies, 

I hope that you are all having a lovely weekend,  are you doing anything exciting? 

I am sending love and gentle hugs to Gina, Brenda & Lilian and any of you that need one 😘❤️

We are busy packing, packing,  packing,  Paul has the roof box packed, we went to supermarket yesterday to get those last few bits, came home sorted some bags with food and snacks that we are taking,  we used to buy crisps and snacks while we were out there but the last couple of years the choice has been rubbish,  so we take them with us, Paul says they are really light so taking a load isn't a problem that way everybody has something they know the like.  We usually take snacks and fruit to the beach to tide  everybody over until we go back for lunch mid afternoon.

Here are your Embossing Challenge Cards....

Karen

Karen's Description:

Card 1:  Just finished this embossed card I used DO inks Twisted Citron Picked Raspberry and Wilted Violet The folder was a bargain bucket find at Ally Pally and I stacked the sentiment which was from Wish (remember them)

Card 2:  Morning 

An experiment with white embossing powder which I must use more often coz I have a huge pot 🤣

Karen,  thank you so much for two amazing cards, completely different designs too

The first card card is so bright and cheerful, I love how you applied the colour. Its a huge success.

Your second card uses Embossing powder, the white on Kraft looks amazing that little pop of yellow makes such a difference.

Thank you so much for supporting the challenge XXX 

Lilian

Lilian had a go at the Embossing tutorial I shared last week and OMG did she do an amazing job, 

Look how vivid those colours are!!   These amazing colours and from Memento ink pads.      

Lilian your card is gorgeous,  thank you so much for taking part in this challenge my lovely XXX 

Maria

Just look at how beautiful Maria's card is, that Robin looks realistic.  I really like sentiment too, such a pretty font.   The embossing folder is really lovely,  there is such a a detailed embossed design round the edges, the clear space  is the perfect size for that lovely bird to sit on.  

Thank you so much for supporting the challenge my lovely XXX 

Sonia

Sonia's Description:

I used a Tim Holtz embossing folder, matted on green card. The stamped bauble and sentiment are Spellbinders. I coloured the poinsettia with distress inks, and added a glitter gem to the centre.

I can't tell you how much it made me smile to see you back making cards Sonia 😄

This Christmas card you have made is so beautiful,  the stamped bauble is perfect and the  poinsettia is the perfect adornment for the bauble and finishes the card off perfectly.

Thank you so much for taking the time to support the challenge my lovely XXX 

What an amazing display of cards, thanks again to all of you ❤

I hope that the sun is shining on you today,

Sending my love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra

xxxxxx