Graceful Glass Vellum Card1

Good Morning Ladies,

I hope that you all enjoyed Michele's first challenge yesterday, I can't wait to see your cards, even though Michele has set the challenge you still sent your cards to me the same as usual.

Harry Potter was absolutely amazing, we all enjoyed it, we were there from 6.20pm to almost 10pm.

All of the sets and props were actually from the films, which I was surprised about,  it made the experience all the more special. They had actual costumes, behind the scenes secrets which explained how they did some of the special effects like playing Quidditch etc, you could ride a broomstick, be filmed acting a scene on the Hogwarts Express, learn how to use a wand, you name it.  

Goodness me the Gift shop was expensive though, a single chocolate frog was £8.99, Paul and the girls had a 'Butterbeer' which is Cream Soda with Butterscotch, I tried a bit and it was Sickly sweet, but they all like it.  

Today's card was made using a piece of one of the Graceful Glass Vellum Papers, I say 'a piece because I cut the panel into 4 separate images, the rest will follow soon. 

This Vellum was coloured with Melon Mambo Watercolour Pencils and Granny Apple Green watercolour pencil which I blended together with a SU Blender pen.

I mounted this little strip of vellum onto a piece of white card to make the colours pop.  I embossed the background with the 'Tufted' Embossing Folder and popped that onto a mat of white card and attached some Lemon Lime Twist ribbon 'Ombre' ribbon, I stamped the sentiment from 'Stitched All Round' stamp set and die cut it with the matching die set and mounted onto a mat of white card and popped on top of my ribbon.

I coloured a resin rose with a matching pink 'Stampin'Blend' pen and popped it into the centre of my bow. 

What do you think?

We were lucky enough to meet up with Our Lynda and Terry on Sunday evening, we had tea together in the Diner beside our hotel, we had good old fashioned cooked food, beautifully cooked too.

There was lots of laughter, Lynda and Terry are the loveliest couple, great sense of humour too, there wasn't a quiet moment the whole time we were together.

The meetings are over way too fast though, I could of stayed and chatted all night, both Paul and I were exhausted from a very busy day though.

Thank you so much Lynda for travelling to meet up with us. xxx

I hope that you all have a lovely day,

Love and hugs

Sandra

xxxxxx

Michele's Monday Challenge

Good Monday Morning Ladies,

Michele has set your Challenge for this week, it's a nice simple sketch, the usual rules apply, just use the sketch as a guide for your card layout, it doesn't have to be exact.
Michele has made two sample cards to give you a little inspiration, she has carried on our little extra challenge of doing one everyday card and one festive card.
I believe that Michele's birthday card is made completely from Free magazine papers, as usual Michele makes them look fab, I never use them, probably because I just can't imagine making them into a card that would look fantastic, but Michele manages every time.

Michele's second card is a Christmas card and I believe that she has used the die that goes with the Apple Blossom Embossing folders from Craft Stash, the (freebie magazine one) to create that pretty border. Snowflakes on a die cut circle for the embellishment.

Two lovely inspiration cards Michele thank you so much for setting the challenge for me today my lovely. xxx

We should be boarding the Channel Tunnel at lunchtime today for the first part of our Journey, we hope to get through Paris before the rush hour hits (fingers crossed),  we were so grateful that our Toll Tag arrived at the last minute on Saturday afternoon, it makes going through all of the tolls so much easier and faster too as you don't have to queue up to pay the fee to get through, they can be absolute chaos when it is busy as it goes from Motorway 2/3 lanes into 10+ lanes for the toll booths and cars are cutting in front of each other all over the place to get to the front of the queue, you need eyes up your backside.
It's similar nightmare when you are sat in traffic queues in Paris, you are sat in three or four lanes, completely at a stand still or moving very slowly and you may put your window down and have a look around then all of a sudden out of nowhere a motorcyclist will whizz past your car window at silly speeds.  I'm sure our Janet will have witnessed it too,

I will hopefully get chance to catch up later and give you an update but if not I will chat to you all again tomorrow.

Have a lovely Monday ladies,

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra
xxxxxx

Your Challenge cards

Karen

'Somewhere Ove the Rainbow'

We're all going on a Summer Holiday

Good Sunday morning ladies 

Well excitement alround today, it's Sunday which means that we get to see an amazing collection of cards, made for a very exciting and unusual Challenge that Karen came up with last weekend. 

It's also today that we leave to start the journey to Spain, the most exciting part for me is having Paul all to myself for 4 whole days!!

Anyway let's get on with the show...

My card 

My Challenge card and Paul's birthday card, made using Stampin'Up! Dandelion Wishes stamp set.

My song title: Dandelion, Rolling Stones 

 Michele

Michele has used Sue Wilson's 'Thanks a Latte' Shadow Box collection to create this amazing challenge card.

Michele's song title: Cold Coffee Ed Sheeran

XXX 

Karen

Bat Out Of Hell

White Wedding

Shake It Off

Karen absolutely loved this challenge, her cards just kept arriving in my inbox!

So apart from the two original challenge inspiration cards:  Somewhere Over The Rainbow  and  We're all going on a Summer Holiday, Karen has also made an amazing pop-up box with Song Title: Bat out Of Hell,

A Wedding card, with Song Title: White Wedding, Billy Idle .

An amazing Shaker Card, Song Title: Shake it Off by Taylor swift.

I will add Karen's description below:

"Here’s a couple of more cc It’s easier than you think isn’t putting a song of film as a theme to a card So,White Wedding - Billy Idol etc 

AND (fanfare please) when Sue said about Bat Out of Hell and Halloween cards I knew I’d seen a Blogger Do one BUT this is one of the new free projects on ScanNCut and I thoroughly enjoyed making it I watched the video and printed off the instructions It was easy to do once I’d got my head around deleting and cutting What was so brilliant is that backing for the house/pumpkin are a millimetre smaller So no risk of it showing from the sides"

Karen's next card, well can you guess the film???  Rocky

here is Karen's description:

'I printed out pieces of the Queensbury rules for the background and layered up the boxing gloves
Film - Rocky'

Karen's last four cards/gift wallets have all been made with the lovely Sue Wilson's caught in crystal technique.  The look amazing Karen, it makes such a detailed background, so you only need a simple, beautiful die cut and you have an stunning card.....

Karen's description:

"Here’s four Christmas card/gift cards
3 with CE Poinsettia Edger and one with SW snowflake background
All made with “caught in crystal” backgrounds
So take your pick
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” “ I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day” To name but two"

Karen, what can I say?!, an absolutely amazing challenge, that everyone seems to have enjoyed immensely, thank you so much for the time and effort that you put in to make inspirational cards.

XXX 

Janet

Janet has made three absolutely amazing challenge cards for Karen's Song Title Challenge.

Janet's cards represent the following songs:

1. the card is 'Cocktails for Two' by Spike Jones and the City Slickers.

2. the card is 'Roses are Red my Love' by Bobby Vinton/Jim Reeves

3. the card is 'Tea for Two' by Doris Day

Thank you so much Janet for putting so much work into making 3 stunning Challenge cards.

XXX

 Lilian

Lilian's card is just so lovely, what a darling little caravan! Lilian's card is one of Christine Emberson (Hope and Chances) Charity Kits, I think it so pretty but Christine's cards are always very delicate and very pretty.

Lilian's Song Title:  We're All going on a Summer Holiday.

Thank you for making such a lovely challenge card Lilian.

XXX

 Margaret

Margaret has used of the Brand New Stamp sets from Stampin Up! It's called 'Cambridge Carols'
it is such a stunning stamp, depicting a couple ice skating on a frozen river.
You have coloured the stamp beautifully Margaret.
Margaret's Song Title:  Carol's From Cambridge.
Thank you so much for Margaret for creating such a lovely challenge card.

XXX

Lorraine

Lorraine has made an absolutely adorable Challenge card, using the Stampin'Up! 'Bella &Friends' stamp set.  Lorraine has stamped a selection of the puppies and coloured around them beautifully.

Lorraine's Song Title:  'And they call it Puppy Love' The Osmonds

Thank you so much Lorraine for taking part in this weeks challenge, I love your card.

XXX

Maria

Two amazing cards from Maria for Karen's song title challenge, the first is a lovely Stampin Up 'Beautiful You' Lady, in the centre of that beautiful Sue Wilson Frame, 

Maria's second card has a 'grungy' touch, I love that distressed brick wall effect Maria, those pretty Butterflies look almost like a 'Banksy' painting!  I love the little Origami frame.

Maria's Song Titles:  Lady In Red by Chris De Burgh

                                    Love is like a Butterfly  (theme from Butterflies Tv Show)

Maria you have made two amazing cards, thank you for saying how much you enjoyed Karen's challenge and for taking part.  XXX

 Lynda

Lynda has made three amazing cards for Karen's challenge, I just can't keep my eyes off of those stunning stamped and coloured flowers.

Lynda's first card features an image of a beautiful Robin, such a lovely topper.

The song title for this card is:  'When The Red Red Robbin goes Bob Bob Bobbin a long' 

Lynda's second card is a pretty Christmas card made using the 'Star Of Light' stamp set from Stampin'Up!, I love how you have composed the card Lynda.

The song title for this card is :  Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Lynda's third card is absolutely stunning,  I believe that this stamp was a magazine freebie, I think its a beautiful stamp and you have coloured  them perfectly, the colours are so vibrant.

The song title for Lynda's last card is : Ring a Ring Of Roses.

Thank you so much Lynda for 3 beautiful challenge cards, Karen will be so thrilled to see how much people have enjoyed this challenge. 

XXX

I will confess that I thought that some of you would struggle with this challenge as it is so different to our usual challenges, but I see I may have to up my game and really 'CHALLENGE' you!!

It has been so lovely to see such an overwhelming response to Karen's challenge, I know Karen will be over the moon!

Michele has the next couple of challenges already set out for you, they are brilliant challenges too, you will love them.

We leave this afternoon for Canterbury, then on to Paris on Monday, Millau Tuesday and all being well Spain on Wednesday.  I will schedule the next few posts but we should have wifi in all hotels so I will be popping in to make sure you are all ok.

Please keep all your cards and projects coming as I will be needing projects to schedule, I may resort to re-sharing some older cards if necessary.

Have a lovely Sunday ladies, 

Sending huge hugs and love to all of you

Sandra

xxxxxx

Mixed Up Saturday

 Goody Morning Ladies,

I hope that you are all well and enjoying a nice relaxed weekend, mine has been a little manic but that is only to be expected the day before we leave for holiday.
We are also off to Warner Bros Studios (Harry Potter world) today, this was a birthday treat for both the girls, Becca and Matt, our time slot isn't until 6:30pm but that gives us time to get some packing and organising done. I think that everyone is quite excited and looking forward to going, we have all been Harry Potter fans for years.

I have some lovely things to share with you today so here we go...…

First up today was Lilian, with that absolutely amazing Fairy Bag that she made for her Granddaughter.  The Fairies are removable, which makes the bag even more special.  I don't think I have ever seen anything that has been as beautifully made as this Lilian, the fairies wings look so realistic. I can't believe how much detail you have added, each fairy has its own differently decorated pocket. It must have taken you hours and hours.  I tell you these would sell like 'hotcakes', at craft fairs and those little Boutique gift shops.
Thank you so much for sharing it with us. XXX

Lorraine

Lorraine made this gorgeous Mini Album for a Challenge on Facebook, Lorraine has used some lovely decorative papers for this album and the little journalling tags are from Memories & More kits, this album would be perfect for Christmas photos or I thought it would be really useful for Christmas shopping, you could make your lists on the cards and keep all receipts in the little pockets, having everything organised.
Thank you so much for sharing your mini album Lorraine xxx

Margaret 

Margaret has made this absolutely beautiful Cross Stitched Card for her friend that is partially sighted. I am sure that both the raised texture of a Cross Stitched card and the vibrant colours that you have used will make the card very visible to her.  I am sure that she will appreciate the time and effort that you put into making her card so special.
Thank you so much for sharing the card with us. xxx

Karen

Karen has shared a spritz bottle tip with us, I think that many of us have bought cheap ones that can be a little unpredictable, here is Karen's tip...…

"It’s not very exciting and might seem a little bit of an extravagance at £5 but I have bought many cheap misters in the past that clog up, break, don’t mist just a spurt ( not sure how to describe what I mean - me and language just lately!)
This is supposed to do a fine mist and droplets I like the idea of the trigger spray too Others in the past have been so difficult to press down
I’m enjoying using Distress Oxides and doing caught in crystal (the Christmas cards I sent) So I’m hoping that by investing in this it’ll be cheaper in the long run" xx

Thank you so much Karen for sharing you findings with all of us xxx

Pat

Pat has shared all of the Groovi plates that she has been purchasing over the past couple of months,
You have some lovely Christmas ones Pat, I'm glad you found your Snowman plate.
I absolutely love that last plate, that delicate lace pattern is stunning.
I can't wait to see these all made up into cards Pat.
Thank you so much for sharing them with us. xxx

That is all I am going to share for this week, I have a lovely project from Cheryl to share with you next week, it is being judged in the village show this weekend, good luck Cheryl, although having seen it I don't think that you need luck.

Val is doing her best to look in every day but her lap top has broken so she is unable to comment, she will be back with us all as soon as she can.  Hurry up Val we will be missing you. XXX

I must go and do some more packing, It's never ending, even though we aren't camping we seem to be taking loads of stuff!

The girls asked me to thank you for your lovely congratulations messages yesterday, it will make such a difference being able to go on holiday being able to relax and not worry about exam results.

I hope that you all have a lovely Saturday ladies,

Love and hugs to all of you

Sandra
xxxxxx

Something Floral For Friday

Good Morning Ladies 

Wow ladies, I cannot believe it is Friday already, it's been one of those weeks where you get the day wrong every day, I have been a day behind since Tuesday, I feel like I haven't stopped but It doesn't look like I achieved very much, never mind though, I'm sure it will all fall in to place by Sunday morning! (fingers crossed)

Today's floral card has be designed and made by our Sue, it's so lovely to see back into her comfort zone with cardmaking, your last few cards have been amazing, this one is no exception, it's gorgeous.

Sue has (believe it or not) used a magazine freebie to create this lovely card, I can picture this framed on a wall.   

I will add Sue's description below...………

"This card  uses embossing folder and stamps freebies  from September issue 181 Papercraft inspirations. I just inked the e f with Memento Potters clay ink then embossed Kraft card. Added the Thank you sentiment from the same freebie set and added ribbon from my stash. I must admit I am happy with the way it turned out. I will send you a pick of the freebies, I think Michele might have already reviewed it but it has pretty stamps that  stamp well"

Thank so much Sue for such a stunning card and detailed description. xxx

More packing for me today, I spent more time making cakes for Paul's birthday than I did crafting so I also made a huge white/milk chocolate cake for the girls to either Congratulate or cheer them up, at the time I had no idea, then the news came in that had got the necessary grades for all of the courses that they were interested in, so a huge sigh of relief here.  

We are both so very proud of all of our children but it's the girls turn to shine, they did amazingly well xxx

Well I must go, got a whole list to get through today, so wish me luck please!

Have a lovely day ladies.

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra

xxxxxx

My Challenge Card

Good Morning Ladies,

Well today is a rather special day in our house.....it's Paul's Birthday, I feel a little sad though, because we usually spend his birthday together as a family, on the beach usually in the sunshine in Spain, he has to go to work today though, it just doesn't seem right.  Never mind only today and tomorrow and then we have 3 weeks together.  I hope he has a very Happy Birthday all the same, he deserves to be treated like a king on his birthday, I still can't believe how lucky I am to be married to such an amazing, kind, caring and loving Man.  I think that most of us ladies have truly good husbands though, which is not always the case.

Now today's card is the simple Birthday card that I made for Paul, it is my Challenge card for Karen's challenge, there are two options for songs for this card...….

Dandelion by the Rolling Stones or

Happy Birthday by Altered Images.

I used the Stampin Up! Dandelion Wishes and Bokeh Background Stamps to create this card, I just love the 'I made a wish and your came true' sentiment, actually its very true! 

The colours I used are Balmy Blue and Whisper White.

I hope he likes it xx

Another busy day packing and making cards to schedule for me, I am starting to panic a little bit, I am sure it will all fall in to place in time though.

We are all going out for dinner tonight, which I am looking forward to, its so nice going out as a family, with a few '+ 1's ' !

I hope that you all have a lovely day my lovelies,

Love and hugs

Sandra

xxxxxx

Margaret's sending Hedgehugs

Good Morning Ladies,

Today's card is very special as it marks Our Margaret's return to cardmaking after her accident, operation and recuperation, I was so happy to see this card, I really hate when one of you is missing from the group, you are all my family and I love you all dearly
Margaret's card has been made with the ' Hedgehugs' stamp set to create this super cute card,  Margaret has stamped both the Hedgehogs and the Squirrel twice and placed the sentiment ''Today is Special, just like you! '' in the centre of the card , Margaret has then added a Mat of matching card before matting onto a white card base.
Thank you so much Margaret for sharing your card with all of us.


Sue came over yesterday and bought some lunch, we had a lovely afternoon chatting and catching up, we even got some crafting done, well Sue did, I was faffin about and didn't get a card finished, Sue did manage to get her card stamped, she is going to finish it at home,
It was a bit of a rush as Paul got in, he had a quick change and we were off to the Opticians, he picked up his glasses last night, although they lady told him to wear them as much as possible, Paul
was only wanting to wear them for working on the Computer at work, luckily the Dispenser explained  everything very clearly and I was relieved, although he came in from our the appoinmemt, putting his glassed on the dresser in the hall and thats where they stayed!

Well were are midway through  the week, its going way too fast and I Don't feel organised yet. I am sure it will all be fine though.

Sadly I won't get to see Pat today as Pete is having his Blood Transfusion. I hope all goes well Pat, I will be thinking of you all day.  I also pray that it will have a long last effect.
Sending you both huge hugs Pat xx

Sending love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra
xxxxxx