A Clean & Simple 'Wings' card

 

Good Monday Morning Ladies, 

I hope that you all had a lovely weekend and that you are rested and ready to start a new week 😀 

We had a lovely relaxing Sunday, well I certainly did, I think Paul did some work down the allotment area,  so I think he wasn't as chilled as I was, although he ended the afternoon falling asleep while reading his book on the deck 😴

A very true reminder,  it may seem like you are ready to get back to normal activities, (speaking from experience) however a day or two later you become very aware that you didn't give yourself long enough to recover.   Your body can do amazing things, if you take time to heal, be it physically or mentally xxx

Today I am sharing a Clean & Simple style that I made yesterday,  using an oval stripe die and a couple of tiny Dragonflies.

This is the old bit of background made using the faux batik technique,  basically tissue paper, screwed up and adhered to a piece of card. I have run this one an embossing folder for a bit more texture.  I did add some gilding wax to highlight the texture.  

I used the oval die to create that aperture in the centre of the card,  positioned the coloured card behind the aperture and adhered to the base card,  I added foam pads under that top layer and positioned it over that background.  I die cut the two dragonflies out of the same background and positioned them opposite each other.   The sentiment die embosses the 'Happy Birthday ' into the card that you used for the background.  I finished the sentiment strip with a little die cut bow, topped it with a tiny silver gem.  

I hope that you all have a lovely Monday,

Love and hugs to all, 

Sandra xxx 

Our Makes this week ...

 

Good Sunday Morning Ladies,  

We had the best day out yesterday,   we decided to go to a 'Pick Your Own' Farm,  found one nearby, well its 16 Miles from us,  we drove through some beautiful Cotswold countryside,  as we got near the farm we went through a gated area with cattle grids, we opened gate drove down the road and OMG, we were treated to the most spectacular views, you could see for miles in every direction,   the road was super narrow with passing places so we didn't get to pull over to take photos, so I found one online....

The area is called 'The cotswold way ' its just incredible (even though it wasn't as green as it is in these photos) 

Let's look at what Karen and Sonia have made this week....

Sonia 

Sonia's Description:  

Didn’t get anything Christmassy finished, so as I’ve started making tags, thought this one fits with the mini challenge.

I’ve used papers and ephemera I created on ChaptGPT 😊

Oh Sonia what stunning, vintage style papers you have created,  the combination of Lace, script and floral is always a winner, the addition of the butterflies really elevates it.  You must be so happy with how they came out.  The tags you have made with your design are amazing.  

Thank you so much for sharing your latest design with us XXX 

Karen 

Karen's Description: 

I made this background before we went away using a Sizzix layering stencil - Mozaic Flowers with Tumbled Glass, Shaded Lilac, Cracked Pistachio and Peacock Feathers DO Added SueW NOEL die cut.

Karen that colour combination is gorgeous,  isn't it brilliant when you create a combination of inks that really works. It's also great when we get to use an old die, the new colourway and background gives that old die a new lease of life.  

Thank you so much for sharing your latest card with us XXX 

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I hope that you all have a lovely Sunday,  

Love & hugs to all of you, 

Sandra xxx

Happy Saturday Ladies,

 Good Saturday Morning Ladies,  

I hope that you have all had a good week and are relaxed and ready for weekend.  

I had a follow up CPAP appointment,  I explained the problems I was having with Claustrophobia and wearing the mask, we have left it that I will continue with desensitising methods and will have another appointment in 4 weeks.  He did say I could call the Warwick Hospital and ask them to put me back on the list for Hernia surgery,  although I'm not sure why I couldn't have stayed on list anyway as they don't don't anything different during surgery, they just monitor you more carefully,  watching for when you stop breathing.  I think that makes me more terrified of having surgery.  I think sometimes you are better off not knowing!!   The chap did say that using CPAP could help revovery , so we'll see. 

Gorgeous artwork and lovely reminder ❤️ 

Another fantastic post box topper in Witney, how brilliant is the sand castle and bucket & spade!!  I think it's a shame that there isn't a little ticket saying who makes them.   You can't even ask in Post Office (behind) as its now a restaurant 🙄 

I am so glad that our Gina allowed me to share this hilarious photo of her taking advantage of the 'photo opportunity ' in her local garden centre!   You look like you are so much fun to spend time with my lovely,  I hope I get the chance to sometime soon 🤣😂😍

I hope that you all have a lovely day , 

Love and hugs to all, 

Sandra xxx 

Mini Challenge

 

Good Friday Morning Ladies,  

We had RAIN !!!!  Soph and I popped out to the very posh  Burford garden centre,  which we generally visit just for the lovely experience,  they sell divine cakes and pastries, which makes the trip even better as we always come home with some delicious treats.  

This reminder goes without saying, I am not only 'Happy' that you are here, I am so GRATEFUL!  

Lilian, I hope that you aren't too sore after your clip/stitch removal yesterday and that you can now get on and make a speedy recovery xxx

Sonia,  I hope that you aren't too sore after your laser treatment yesterday,   hopefully you are well on the way to feeling the benefits my lovely xxx

Brenda, I hope that you are recovering from your worrying episode last weekend. xxx

Today's journal page I made yesterday using my Arden Creative Laurel Grove collection,  I stamped the background then added some Lindys Gang powders to give a pop of colour to the background.  The focal point I made using a tag from the paper pad and a couple of the die cuts.  The main point of this journal page is the butterfly......

Because I want to have a 'Mini Challenge' the theme is WINGS 🪽 

So Butterflies 🦋  Bees 🐝 Bird 🐦 Dragonfly, Angels, Fairies  🧚‍♀️ Dragon 🐲 Bats, Aeroplane ✈️ 

I think it covers most occasions too,  Birds could be robins for Christmas,  Angels also work for Christmas.  Bats for Halloween.  Butterflies for any occasion etc. 

I will keep this a short challenge as I am planning a TicTacToe 

I hope that you all have a great day, 

Love & hugs 

Sandra xxx 

Maybe my last Christmas card for now..

 

Good Morning Ladies,  

We had a very cloudy, 'muggy' kind of day yesterday,  the temperature was around 23° but my goodness it felt warmer because of the humidity I think,   it tried to rain at around 4pm but didn't last 3 minutes,  it was forecast to rain all day, never mind maybe it will rain today.   We didn't do very much, popped to witney to get a few bits and had lunch,  then home.  

I love the artwork more than the sentiment,  of course you are all very capable,   it's something I often doubt, I'm sure you all do at times!  

I put this card together yesterday afternoon, using my Lou Collins Christmas Cheer paper pad and a piece of music sheet behind.  The sentiments are also dies from the same Lou Collins Collection.

I want to change the challenge but unsure what to change it to...any preferences?

Lilian I hope that your appointment goes well today,  I dreaded having the clips taken out of my hip reconstruction scar, there were so many,  luckily the area was numb so it wasn't painful at all,  the skin is still numb today.                                     I am hoping that you will be more comfortable after having clips and stitches removed my lovely XXX 

Karen you should be so proud of yourself going down the slide no matter the size, I bet the boys loved to see you having a go, did Alan have a go?  I could never workout how Paul always came out feet first and just stood up, no matter how i tried to stay sat up and facing forward, I came out backwards, disorientated with a boob almost on show!!! 🤣😂  Enjoy the rest if your week my lovely XXX 

I hope that you all have a good day, 

Love and hugs to all, 

Sandra xxx 

Simple inked Cards

 

Good Wednesday Morning Ladies, 

Did you all enjoy the slightly cooler weather yesterday?  It was lovely in the morning but by mid afternoon I was struggling, I think it was humidity rather than heat.  It felt like we were going to have a storm,  which didn't happen !

Lucy and I popped out to the Garden centre yesterday,  then came home for lunch,  not sure what's on the cards today !! 

I am relieved to read this as a reminder as its something I find is totally necessary!  

Today I am sharing a set of cards I made before we went away but didn't share.  They were cheap stamps from Amazon which I used to stamp into the strips of ink that I created with distress ink, blended onto the card inside the masked of strip.  Simple but effective. 

I hope that you all have a lovely day, 

Love and hugs to all of you 

Sandra xxx 

 

Arden Creative Christmas Cheer card

 

Good Morning Ladies,  

It was so much more bearable having the slightly cooler day yesterday,   it's the cooler nights that make the difference for me though.   We were forecast rain yesterday but it didn't appear.  

Karen I hope that you arrived safely at Butlins and that your room is lovely and that you are having a lovely time,  I smile thinking of you on those waterslides though 😀 xxx

Sonia  I hope that you have a lovely day with James taking Teddy & Scarlett swimming,  I can't wait to hear all about it xxx

This is one reminder that most of us have no choice in 🤣😂

Today's card I made yesterday using my Arden Creative Christmas Cheer collection,  the background is a piece of background paper from the 8 x 6 inch paper pad.  I trimmed it down to 5 3/4 inch square to fit on 6 x 6 inch card base.  I simply added a piece of die cut foliage and popped that inside the wreath to perch the little bird on.  I die cut the 'Christmas ' sentiment and added the 'Merry' tag from the collection.  I finished with some white splatters and 3 little diamantés. 

I hope that you all have a good day, 

Love & hugs to all, 

Sandra xxx 

Sonia's Birthday card for Albie

 

Good Monday Morning Ladies, 

I hope that you all have planned a lovely weekend and are ready for the new week ahead.   

Paul asked me to thank you all for his Birthday wishes x

This reminder seems a bit silly,   I mean when would it 'not' be okay to be proud of yourself?!          Doing something to be proud of could look different to all of us.  It doesn't matter how small the win either.  I think we should be talking about those little wins more to be honest.  

I hadn't got anything ready for todays post as I haven't been too well since Wednesday if I'm honest, I started with an upset tummy and feeling washed out, which I think was the start of this new round of uti,  the Fosfomycin really upset my tummy and gave me terrible nausea,  Fingers crossed that it has worked though. 🤞

Sonia came to my rescue and allowed me to share the card that she made for Albie ( her Great Nephew) for his second birthday.

Sonia's Description:

I made a spinner card for Albie. I used the Tracy Hey stamp that I stamped, photographed and asked ChatGPT to colour in. I then created some background papers and sentiments 😊

What an absolutely genius Idea to use a stamped image in ChatGPT to make matching background papers and then to have ChatGPT colour it too!!        The card you have made with your ChatGPT creations is gorgeous, the polka dot background and soft colours remind me of the Lilli of The valley cards,  beautiful imagery in pastel shades. 🥰

Thank you so much for allowing me to share it today,  

My love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra xxx 

A look back at this weeks makes..

 

Good Sunday Morning Ladies,  

An exciting day in our house as it's Paul's 60th Birthday 🎂 🥳 

You wouldn't know it though as he doesn't want a fuss and despite being constantly asked he can't think of anything he wanted either, I have lost count of how many times the girls and Matt have asked me what he'd like!!  We have a few weeken d trips etc that we'd like to do and a couple of shows we'd like to see, so they would be good gift ideas. 

We are off to have Breakfast with Becca at her restaurant and then dinner tonight with all the family.  

I totally agree with this reminder,  sometimes you feel guilty when someone asks if you are 'ok',  you feel its easier to say yes I'm Ok, because you think they don't want to hear how you really are.           It's perfectly ok to say 'no I'm not OK' and not feel the guilt. 

Gina

Gina's Description:

My latest set of Diamond Christmas cards,  they come in sets of six so just two more to go.  

Wow Gina these are so lovely,  they would light ip any mantelpiece at Christmas,  I have a couple that the ladies have sent me i  previous years, I have popped them in a frame and get them out each year.  They make a lovely decoration too. 

Thank you so much for sharing them with us XXX

This is Gina's original photograph,  I just asked ChatGPT to remove the background.  X

Karen

Karen's Description:

My contribution for this week I’ve kept it very simple because I really liked the ChatGPT image I created 

I did edge the image with Frayed Burlap DO and stamped a a couple of JL snowflakes (from last years magazine) Added a bit of tape behind image (can’t remember what the tape is called) It’s also number 26 of the Aall&Create challenge

Such a lovely image Karen,  perfect for the Aall&Create challenge too! 

Thank you so much for sharing it with us XXX 

Maria

Maria's Description:

My mind has not been on crafting but I found this piece in my bit box, SW die, freshen it up a bit with my TH inks and put it on a piece of green glitter card and then onto black .

This was left over from a crafting class I went with Karen many years ago. 😊

I really love these stain glass style cards,  some of Sue Wilson's best designs I think.  I love the colours you have used and the green glitter card works really well.   

Well done to you for finally getting to use it 👏 

Thank you so much for sharing your lovely card with us my lovely XXX 

Sonia 

Sonia's Description:

I used my Winter Countryside collection which was created in ChatGPT to make a shaker card. I have used Tim Holtz rock candy glitter for the shaker and added to the die cut poinsettias. The edges are inked with Milled Lavender distress oxide 🙂

Sonia,  WOW, how amazing is it to say "I have used my OWN 'Winter Countryside Collection' 

Your card is just adorable,  the fact that it's a shaker too is incredible,   such a brilliant design.  You must be so proud.   I am so pleased that you made the decision to buy a full size printer months ago when you were looking at the small thermal ones and we were shocked at how expensive the coloured ones were.   You absolutely made the right decision and you haven't looked back since.  Wether its designing your own collection or using ChatGPT to colour a stamped image you have aced it ! 

Thank you so much for sharing your card with us and for inspiring our lovely friends XXX

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I hope that you all have a lovely Sunday,  

My love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra xxx 

Mixed Up Saturday

 

Good Saturday Morning Ladies,  

Did any of you ladies struggle more with the heat yesterday than you did on Thursday,  I definitely did,  I was up and down all through Thursday night as I was so hot,  I kept having to get up to go to the toilet and just had to cool down in the shower,  refresh my cool towel and go back to bed,  I did notice that I was going between sweating and having goosebumps /chills while sweating!  By about 4.30am I knew what the issue was another Uti,  my bladder had been 'niggling' all week but I think Thursdays bladder installation is what caused the full blown inflammation,  I did wonder if it was cystitis symptoms but I felt really unwell too, upset tummy and nausea which the GP  indicated it was infection probably the same ongoing bacteria,  the last antibiotic course will have subdued it but the weather makes it so much harder to keep fully hydrated, meaning my bladder wasn't flushed through enough,  I was shocked at the comment though as I have been intentionally drinking loads.  So we are trying a new antibiotic treatment called 'Fosfomycin ', you mix the powder with water and drink it, thats it, it is meant for use when other antibiotics have failed.  Fingers, toes and eyes 👀 crossed that it works. 🤞🤞

I don't need to tell you how VERY important you are, you all have families that let you know that all the time!  😘

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Gina's Crafts

Gina has made these lovely Crystal Art Coasters, 

Here is a closer look....

I cropped them do that we could get a closer look at the work that Gina puts into them.  I love the cat ones 🥰

What a lovely gift they would make.  

Thank you so much for sharing them with us Gina XXX

My Dahlia Update

How gorgeous are these Dahlias,   look at the gorgeous stripes of colour.  The deep red one us a new one this year, it is huge,  I got Lucy to put her hand over the bloom to show how big it is. 

I love the excitement of not knowing what you are going to get until they open.  🥰😍

I hope that today is cooler for all of you,  

Gentle hugs to all, 

Sandra xxx 

Pretty Floral Tag

 

Good Friday Morning Ladies,  

Well that heat was exhausting wasn't it,  I am so grateful that Soph's car has air-conditioning,  it was a lifesaver.   I will say that the nurses and all hospital staff deserve a medal for working in that heat with no air-conditioning, they had nothing more than fans to help keep them cool.   On the flip side when we went to checkout at the garden centre the lady on the till was (I will assume) menopausal,  her behaviour was unacceptable, the customer in front had a query,  she had such a temper, she was banging things and throwing folders,  then she stormed outside the door to scream swear words then stormed back in and continued her terrible behaviour, you could see the other staff felt uncomfortable but were too afraid to step in and offer to help.   

More lovely artwork and another great reminder! 

It means you have full permission to  grow,  alter your opinions or start over.  It reminds you that your past choices do not trap you, and it is normal to shift your mind, habits, or path as you learn new things.

Key MeaningsGrowth: 

You can outgrow old versions of yourself, old beliefs, or past ways of living.

Forgiveness: You can let go of past mistakes instead of using them to define your future.

Choice: You do not have to stay in a job, relationship, or mindset that no longer fits your life.

Today's Tag I made using Arden Creative Laurel Grove collection.   I used a piece of patterned paper and added some splatters of Dusty Concorde and Milled Lavender distress oxide, then I blended Villainous Potion Oxide around the tag,  I added rub ons in place of stamping, then created the cluster of ephemera, starting with a ticket and a stamp, a piece of gauze for texture,  I then layered the die cut flowers. The little fence covered the flower bottoms, finishing with a Butterfly,  Bee and some splatters ! 

I hope that today us more bearable for all of you, 

Love & hugs to all of you,  

Sandra xxx 

Stamperia all around page

 

Good Morning Ladies, 

Firstly let me apologise for the post that did go up this morning featuring Wednesdays card,  *note to self *.  .... don't attempt to write blog post in middle of night when you have insomnia and an upset tummy 😅

Today's page is made usual Stamperia 'All Around ' Collection,   it started with a piece of patterned paper, I added some ink, then texture paste through stencil,  the ivy is a rub on, the rest are die cuts from the journals in the collection. 

I really love how it turned out and I am thinking of using it as a journal cover, as the theme would work for an art journal. 

I have bladder clinic this morning which is last thing I need after last night but it's a necessity! 

I hope that you all have a good day, try and stay cool my lovelies, it's gonna be a hot one, 

My love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra xxx