Pat's Rococo Panel card

Good Morning Lovely Ladies,

Today's card has been designed and created by our Pat, she has used the Creative Expressions Rococo Die to create a beautiful, intricate lacey panel, which Pat then added to a matt of pretty blue card.
The sentiment has been added a Spellbinders Floral Oval Frame that works perfectly in the centre of this card.
Pat you have lined those dies up with amazing precision,Sue and I where both blown away. Thank you so much for sharing your card, like Maria we dont see enough of your cards either! Xx

Now ladies can I have you guilty secret photos please, Pat that includes you,Sue maybe yours will come in time too!

Hope everyone is well we are missing some of our little family, hope all is OK.

Love and hugs
Sandra
xxxxxx

Matchbook style Stickpin Holder For Karen McClure's Challenge

Good Morning Ladies,

Something a little different today.
I was trying to think of something different to make for Karen McClures 500 + Subscribers Celebration Challenge, the theme of the challenge is 'Pass on the Love',
Karen has asked anyone that wants to take part to make a little some thing, it can be anything from a tag to a wall hanging, it doesn't matter how small, you just have to pass on the love to someone by way of sending them a gift.  You have to subscribe to Karens You Tube channel to take part.  (I am not saying you have to, just explaining the reason I made this gift), having set that Karen has some fantastic video tutorials, covering everything from altering paperclips to making cards and boxes.

I used my Bella Rose papers for this Matchbook, I added some lace from my stash, the little flower trim that my roses are on were in my DT Kit from Amanda at Scrimpys Craft Boutique, I also used a Martha Stewart Punch for the lace panel behind the Stickpins.  I finished the front with a pink ribbon bow topped with a tiny resin flower which was in a little bag of goodies as a thank you from Amanda with my last order.

I can do a tutorial for this Matchbook if any of you are interested, just let me know below.

I have got Pat & Sue coming over today, it seems like ages since we were all together.

Wendy L, Welcome to our little cafe/blog, its so lovely of you to stop by, I hope to see you in again very soon, I will look out for you on Saturday xxx

Lynn Dalby, you are very welcome too, I am truly blessed with the loviest bunch of ladies here on my blog, who will make you most welcome, thank you for popping in.

Have a fab day ladies,

Love and hugs
Sandra
Xxxxxx

Something special from Maria

Good Morning Ladies,

Now today is a special day because I don't often get to share Maria's work, so when I do get the chance I grab it with both hands.  You can see why, Maria goes to so much trouble for every card she makes, look at the stamped detail on the front of this magnificent Gatefold card, those butterflies are all so perfectly positioned, fluttering around those perfectly stamped flowers.
Then when you open the card look how stunning the inside is, that darling little hedgehog, expertly decoupaged with his beautiful roses.
A perfect Anniversary Card , thank you so much for sharing your stunning card
With all of us.  (By the way I hope it was the challenge that encouraged you to make a Gatefold card) xxx

I had a busy day in the craft room yesterday, playing with a few ideas for tutorials, a nice crafter's gift idea is one of them, so watch this space.
I did remember to tidy everything away again afterwards, I am trying to keep it
Tidy as it took me so long to sort.

Have a great day everyone,
Love and hugs
Sandra
Xxxxxx

Monday Sketch challenge

 My Challenge Card

The Sketch

Good Morning Ladies,

I hope you find this sketch not too much of a challenge, I think it is good to be pushed out of your comfort zone a little bit, without feeling daunted.  I have really enjoyed  the challenges.

If you don't have a heart die or topper you can change the shape. I have left the card without a sentiment so that I can use it for any occasion, I think I could cover anything from 'thank you' to 'Happy Anniversary' , I am really looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

I have received my Design Team Kit from Amanda, it is so gorgeous, I will photograph and let you see what I got, my mind is racing!!

We have only got 5 more sleeps until Ally Pally, I am so looking forward to meeting up with everyone that is going. It seems like forever since we all got together, my only concern is that it will be super busy because of Hochanda being there! Fingers crossed there will still be a table that we can sit at together for lunch.

Have a lovely day everyone,

Love and hugs

Sandra

xxxxxxx

Sketch Challenge Cards

The Sketch

My Challenge Card

 Janet's Challenge Card

Hazel's Challenge Card

Michele's Challenge Card

Karen's Challenge Card

Lynda's Challenge card

 Margaret's Challenge card

 Sue's Challenge card

Val's Challenge card

 Ciara's Challenge Card

 Brenda L Challenge Card

 Jess's Challenge card

Maria's Challenge card

Lilian's Challenge card

Karen M Challenge card

Brenda H Challenge card

Cheryl's challenge card

Good Sunday Morning ladies,

Oh my goodness, you ladies have just made my week, such a fantastic range of cards, you have all made such fantastic cards, I love them all.  

Ciara's card is just so beautiful, it looks like a garden party, those cakes look so yummy Ciara, you are so clever, thank you for taking part in my challenge xxxx

Ladies I am so surprised at how many different categories this sketch has covered, from Jess's New Baby card to Janet, Michele and Maria's childrens birthday cards, Hazel's Thank you card, Margaret's Anniversary card, Sue and Val both made Christmas cards and Brenda's teen card, to Lilian, Karen M, Ciara and Lynda and Brenda H all made Birthday cards that are so versatile.  All for different things yet all have same basic sketch, its amazing, thank you all xxx

Chatted to Mum yesterday, it was so nice to hear her talk without gasping for breath, she says she keeps falling asleep but I explained that that is to be expected and it is better that she does sleep to let her body recover.  I have asked my sister to get mum some probiotic or live yoghurt as the very strong antibiotics she has been taking have made her mouth really sore, they do tend to strip your body of good bacteria too.  

Matt's ewe and lambs are doing well on their first day, they are feeding nicely and mum is super protective here is a photo of them at just a few hours old, just so cute xxx

I will leave you with this picture of Springtime Cuteness

Love and hugs

Sandra

xxxxxx

Every Day's a school day!!

Folded Star Card Tutorial

 Take a piece of card 30 x 30 cm, measure  halfway

And draw a small vertical Line

 Draw a line from each of bottom corners to the 

Point at which they meet on the vertical line at top

 Now cut along these lines, you should be left 

With a triangle, measure fifteen cm down each 

Side and mark the spot.

 Join these marks up, giving you another triangle.

Score along these lines

 With point of triangle at top measure down

5cm from last mark, do this on all sides

Draw lines from each point to next point and

Then score along this new line.

 Score these lines the opposite side to last ones.

(So first folks is valley and second fold is mountain)

So the points of triangles are pointing outwards

See diagram below.

Now comes the tricky bit ...

Burnish all of you creases well then lay the first piece

Down onto the base, followed by the next and then 

 The last side, the tricky bit to get right is folding the card 

Together

Make sure each side has one end under and one 

One end on top of adjoining side 

As you can see here each side has one corner under the 

Next side, giving you the fabulous 

Star shape

It should look like two triangles, one on top of the other,

Now you can decorate as you please, I used double sided

Decorative card for mine, giving a pretty look inside and

Out, but you could use plain card and cut little decorative paper 

Pieces same as each panel and sticking them where you need them

I finished my card with a lot of pretty things, pearl strings 

And some flowers and leaves, you could use buttons or anything

You please, the inside could take a small piece of chocolate or even a 

Piece of jewellery 😋!

I hope you wil be able to follow my instructions OK, I am really 

Excited to see your designs xxxx

Football for us this morning, oh and fantastic news

The First of my Son's lambs were born last night

One Black and one white !!!

Have a great weekend ladies,

Don't forget your challenge cards!!!

Love and hugs

Sandra 

xxxxxxx

This Week's Guilty Secrets

Janet's new goodies

 Margaret's Bargain purchase

Jean's fabulous new goodies

Cheryl's Gorgeous Lace Kit from Amanda (Scrimpy's Craft Boutique)

My Bargain Floral Pavilion pad, Doilies & Charms

Good Morning Ladies,

I just can't believe what a blur this week has been, a week today is when my Mum collapsed and was taken to hospital, I am so relieved that she is back home now and on the mend.  I think that being away visiting mum last weekend and then catching up this week is the reason that I thought today was Thursday!! 

Now onto this weeks craft goodie purchases.......

Janet has got some beautiful 'shabby chic' floral paper pads, I got that 'floral muse' pad too and its beautiful, I mazy need to look out that other pad, where did you get out from Janet??  The MDF  tags, frame and little hearts came from Fernli Designs,

Which is a lovely local business in Swindon, their prices are amazing and their MDF storage puts together like a dream!! Thank you so much for sharing your news goodies with us Janet, I am excited to see your lace kit when it arrives too xx

Margaret got a great deal when she got hold of her Crafter's Companion Ultimate pro,

I know you will get a lot of use out of it, it is my 'go to' for boxes and envelopes,

Thank you Margaret for sharing your bargain (I will left Margaret tell you how much of a bargain it was ) xxx

Jean has treated herself ton some new Dreamees Stamps, Archival ink pads and a Spellbinder's  Card Creator die, your cards are always amazing Jean, I can't wait to see what you create with your new products, I would love to hear what the 'Dreamees' stamps are like as I like quite a few of their designs but have no idea how good they are to stamp with.  Thank you so much Jean for sharing your buys xxx

Cheryl asked Amanda to make her a kit up so that she could make some more of her gorgeous 'Rings' like the one she made recently for a family wedding, I sent Amanda a photo so that she could get an idea of what Cheryl needed and she made up the gorgeous kit you see above, there are some stunning laces and trims in there, you lucky lady, I am so looking forward to seeing your finished designs xxx

My purchases were complete bargains, those Gorgeous Trimcraft 12 x12 paper pads 'Floral Pavillion' were two for £7.50 on 'Every crafts a pound' the doilies are 50p and the scissor charms were £2 I think, you do need to spend over £20 to order but it isn't too hard, the delivery seems expensive at £4.95 but its 24 hr delivery and it doesn't matter how big your order is, so worth a look I feel. 

I hope you have a great day, there is still time to share your purchases, 

Love and Hugs

Sandra

xxxxxxx