Another Challenge Card - Just Magnolia Mina's Sketch

This is my last Challenge Card for 2009, its the Just Magnolia one, using Mina's Sketch. Ive used one of the new Christmas stamps from Magnolia and coloured her with my copic pens, then cut her out completely ready to mount on my oval. This was done with the large oval Nestabilitie dies, Ive used a yellow embossed card for the first one and a red card for the scalloped one. The circular sentiment is one of the Just Rite stamps and cut out with my circle Nestabilitie dies, Ive then used the larger scalloped one from red card for it to be mounted on.
The base card is a 8"x 8" white card with a first layer of green card, and one of two papers that Ive used for this card, the designs are by Kaban called Seasons and they come on a cd. For the second layer Ive used a red pattern and mounted this onto red card, then Ive used a red ribbon to wind around the two layers and stuck it to the back of the first mount.
Ive then stuck my oval mount in the centre of this and mounted my cut out Tilda on top, then Ive used three Poinsetta flowers for down the edge around the oval and have stuck the greeting between the top two flowers, there wasnt room to put the fourth one.

A Card for Two Challenges - Calendar and New Year

Good Morning to you all, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and Im sure you are all suffering with a weight problem as I know I am, and Im going to have to be very strict with myself to try a loose some of this extra poundage that Ive put on over the holiday. We had a wonderful day with my daughter and her four children and she cooked a really splendid meal, even the weather was kind to us and we didnt have any problems driving to her house, and last night the rest of the ice and snow was washed away with a downpour of rain, thank goodness.

Im a bit slow in posting all my challenge cards so I thought Id get one posted today, this one is for the Stampin for the Weekend Challenge, a Calendar and Im going to also enter it for the Cute Card Challenge, New Year, its a bit of a cheat but I hope it will qualify for both. Its one of the new Magnolia stamps that I received in my Club kit, its a young teenage looking Tilda and Ive stamped her onto white card and coloured her with my copic pens. Ive then cut her out with my rotatrim and mounted her onto a piece of pink pearlescent card, before doing so Ive distressed the edges with a pink inkpad.

The base card is an easel card and Ive used two designs from the Bearly Mine Designs, not that its easy to see the second paper as its pink as well.  The first design has also been mounted onto two pieces of pink pearlescent card and one is stuck to the front and one to the inside of the card, on top of this I have used my second design for both the front and inside, with this one I have used my all around border punch by Martha Stewart and have stuck it in a diamond shape on top of this base layer, as I said its not easy to see, the camera seems to have rather made it invisable, over the front part I have stuck a piece of white lace across the centre with a pretty ribbon, and for the inside Ive used the same ribbon but no lace, then stuck my calendar to this page.

To the outside I have stuck my mounted stamped image and created a flower corner with some roses and some babys breathe and some wired gems. I can see Ive moved the ribbon slightly when I attached the mounted image, but I hope it doesnt spoil your sight of it (I didnt realise this had happened till after looking at this photo), Ive also stuck three pink pearls at the bottom on the left hand side.

To finish of this posting I want to thank all those lovely girls that have sent me some really gorgeous Christmas cards and ecards, its been a wonderful Christmas and its through your friendship thats made it a real blessing and extra special, thank you so much for that and Im looking forward to continuing being special friends with you in the New Year. With love and huge hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxx

A Wonderful Christmas Wish and a Very Happy New Year to you All

I want to wish all my very loyal followers and visitors a Wonderful Christmas and a Very Happy New Year, as you can see from the photo we have had our first shower of snow, luckily its not to deep but it is very icy.

My dear husband went for a walk this afternoon to find some beautiful photos for you to see the snow at its best advantage, and this one was taken in our local park about 10 mins walk away from our home.

Anyway I wont be posting any more posts till after Christmas itself, as like everyone else weve got quite a few things to do, and to get ready to go to my daughters for dinner on Christmas Day, I just hope this weather doesnt get any worse or at least not until we get back on Boxing Day.

So Happy Christmas to you all, and a very big Thank You, take care with love and huge hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxx

A Card for Mo's Manning Challenge - All shades of White

Todays card has been created for this weeks Mo's Challenge, it has to be all in white except the image, so Ive used this lovely image of Bella and Bronte which I think is quite apt in the circumstances in some of the areas of the UK. Anyway Ive coloured her with my copic pens, and the glittery bits were created with my Sakura glitter pen, and then cut her out with my rotatrim and mounted her onto a piece of white pearlescent card, the greetings is again the Hero Arts stamp this also has been mounted onto a piece of white pearlescent card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, and for my first layer I have used a piece of white card and run it through my cuttlebug with the snowflake embossing folder, because the size was to big to put through the cuttlebug I cut it in half then joined them together covering the seam with a piece of white lace across the middle. On top of this I have used some white pearlescent paper, and with my snowflake flurry all around Martha Steward border and corner punches created a square to stick to the base layer, Ive also used a smaller piece of the same paper and again punched it all round and then positioned this one in a diamond shape. Then on top of these layers I have stuck my mounted image.

To finish of I have created four snowflakes from eight punched out pieces from my Martha Stewart punches, dipped them into Diamond Dust and then layered them up in twos, and stuck them either side of my stamped image, and the greeting was positioned at the bottom on the right hand side.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge - Aperture Card

Todays card has been made for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge, Aperture Card. Ive used a 8"x8" white card and measured a window size in the front and cut it out with my craft knife. On top of this I have placed one of the Dovecrafts "Tis the Season" papers a red snowflake one, and then punched out two strips of another of the same set of papers with my new Martha Stewart border punch and run it through my Xyron to put glue on the back and then ive stuck them not and bottom of my card. The greeting is a Hero Arts one that Ive used quite a lot this year, its been mounted on a piece of white pearlised card and stuck at the bottom on the right.

For the inside I have used the gorgeous Tilda and Edwin Skating stamp, that I have coloured with my copic pens then cut it out completely. To give the appearance of them skating on a pond I have used one of the themes from the Cute Companions Cd by Crafters Companion, and stuck it to the inside leaf and then positioned my skaters so they appear through the window.

To finish of my card I have stuck three pionsettas in the top left hand corner.

Another fabulous Photo of two of my Grandsons

Heres a photo that I received from my youngest daughter today of two of my grandsons, Daniel whos now 9 and Oliver whos 8, and I thought you might like to see them, arnt they handsome.

They are the two lads who came and stayed with us for a week in the Summer Holidays, they are two lovely lads and Im really proud of them.

With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxx

Wishing you All a Wonderful Christmas

Good Morning everyone, I just thought for a change I would post an extra special photo of our two Granddaughters, the one with the serious face is Seraphie, Im not sure she was enjoying the photo session, shes now 8 months old, and the other little one is Danu and she is now 17 months old.

They are their granddads pride and joy, and we felt youd love to see how well they are coming along, and to have something different as a Christmas Card.

With love and hugs to you all Shirleyxxxxx

Two Fabulous Awards to Pass On

Recently I was given two lovely awards, the right hand one is for Acquaintance from Gisela http://mueppis-bastelwelt.blogspot.com/ and the left hand one was from Christa http://scrappies-van-christa.blogspot.com/ and this one has to have 10 people to pass on to. But firstly I need to give you five of my secrets, thats quite difficult as Ive already disclosed a lot of them already, so I suppose I will have to try and give you some more.

1. I raised my three daughters and my eldest grandson for many years on my own, about 20 years before I remarried.

2. My youngest daughter suffers with MS, she has two sons, and copes very well on her own.

3. Although I hold a full driving licence I dont drive very often which frustrates my hubby a lot, thats why weve just bought a new automatic car, hes hoping I will start driving again, we shall see.

4. I love Teddy Bears, and have a collection of some quite beautiful ones.

5. While on my own I did all my own decorating and even some electrical work so Im a bit of a Jack of all Trades, master of none, luckily I dont have to anymore as my hubbys pretty good at the electrical work himself.

Now I need to pass on these awards to firstly left handed one (the lady with the dog) to ten of my fellow bloggers and they are:-

Gisela - http://mueppis-bastelwelt.blogspot.com/

Aud - http://audcards.blogspot.com/

Lorraine - http://coldwaters2.blogspot.com/

Christine - http://dolcreations.blogspot.com/

Vanessa - http://designsbyvanessa.blogspot.com/

Janette - http://little-boscraftyplace.blogspot.com/

Nikki - http://nikkiscards.blogspot.com/

Jessie - http://jessicafitzhenry.blogspot.com/

Janet - http://pinkgem-janet.blogspot.com/

Mandy - http://sparklybits1.blogspot.com/

Now for the five for the right handed award, the Flower One:-

Sue - http://scoopysstuff.blogspot.com/

Lyn - http://spyder-spyderscorner.blogspot.com/

Denise - http://stampingvacation.blogspot.com/

Christa - http://scrappies-van-christa.blogspot.com/

Jacqui - http://jacqui47.blogspot.com/

I sincerely hope girls you enjoy receiving these awards as much as I have, I would have liked to have been able to pass them onto more of my very loyal followers but unfortunately that is not allowed, but I would like to thank you all for your loyalty and to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas, and a Wonderful New Year.

With love and huge hugs to you all Shirleyxxxxxxxxx

Tagged by Trudette

Trudette has tagged me to disclose some of my Christmas traditions, so here they are :-
1. Have you started your Christmas Shopping?
  Yes, but I try to buy bits all year around.
2. Tell me about one of your special traditions,
 Dont really have any.
3. When do you put up your Tree?
 I normally put it up the weekend before Xmas as I put it on the cupboard in front of the window and it rather blocks out the light.
4. Are you a Black Friday Shopper?
 Sorry we dont have these in the Uk, but I do try and buy when I see sales on line.
5. Do you Travel at Christmas or Stay at Home?
 Normally we stay at home but this year we are spending it with my middle daughter and her family.
6. What is your funniest Christmas memory?
 I carnt remember one, unless my children consider my tipping my chair over when leaning over the side of it.
7. What is your favourite Christmas Movie of all time?
 My all time favourite is Bing Crosby's Holiday Inn, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vPfOjAw5Z0 if you click on the link you will be able to watch him singing the title song White Christmas.
8. Do you do your own Christmas Baking, whats your favourite treat?
 I do make my own mince pies and sausage rolls, my favourite treat is Baileys Irish Cream.
9. Fake or Real Tree?
 I love real trees, but carnt stand the mess the make so we use a artificial one.
10. What day (as a mum) does the actual panic set in to get it all done?
 I take things as they come.
11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
 Sometimes, but I normally wrap them as I buy them.
12. What is your favourite family fun time at Christmas?
 Watching the Grandchildren open their presents.
13. What Christmas craft do you like the best?
 Creating the display that I like to put on top of my TV.
14. Christmas music, Yes or No, and if yes What is your favourite song?
 I love Christmas music but my hubby doesnt, so I have to ration myself to just Christmas Day, but I do love to listen to Once in Royal Davids City, it sends goosebumps down my back.
15. When do you plan to finish all your shopping?
 Most of mine is done, but if I need any extras I will pop out on Christmas Eve to pick up the fresh things, like Veggies, Salads and Fruit.
Now Ive got to pick some people to tag, so heres my list:-

Lorraine - http://coldwaters2.blogspot.com/

Avril - http://avrilannwatson46.blogspot.com/

Linda - http://linda-wright.blogspot.com/

Gisela - http://mueppis-bastelwelt.blogspot.com/

                                     Lyn - http://spyder-spyderscorner.blogspot.com/

Sorry girls, good luck, with love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxxx

Another one card for Two Challenges

Again I have cheated and created one card to cover two challenges, the Just Magnolia Challenge, Christmas Card and Stampin for Weekend Challenge, blue and brown. I made a bit of a fopah when I started colouring my image I thought it was green and blue, so we have a green parcel so sorry about that. Anyway Ive used one of the new Magnolia Christmas stamps for this card and coloured her with my copic pens, after which I cut her out with my rotatrim and mounted her up on some blue pearlescent card. The greeting is one of Hero Arts stamps that Ive stamped onto white card and mounted it in the same was as my image.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card with a first layer of dark blue card and one of two design papers that Ive printed from the Nitwit downloads, the first one is a all over snowflake design in blue and white. For my second layer Ive used a pretty brown paper with springs of leaves all over it, this was mounted onto brown card and stuck at an angle across the base layer. For my third layer Ive used a dark blue pearlescent paper with my new Trellis border punch by Martha Stewart, Ive done a double sided strip and layered a piece of ribbon across the centre and stuck them to the back of my first mount.

The stamped image was then stuck to the centre of my card and the greeting to the right hand side at the bottom. To finish of Ive created two flowers from some more of the same design papers and some silver spacers were popped through holes in the centres with some pearl brads with a sleigh charm hanging from the bottom one, after which I have stuck them onto the card with some silicone sitting on some punched out fern leaves.

One Card again for Two Challenges

Todays card is to cover two Challenges, Mo Mannings "Thank You Card" and Cute Card Thursday "Beads"

Ive used this sweet digi image of this ballerina taking a bow, and coloured her with my copic pens then cut her out with my rotatrim and distressed the edges with my pink cats eys inkpad, after which Ive layered her up onto a piece of pink pearlescent card. The greeting is one of my craft stash stamps that Ive stamped it onto a piece of white card then punched it out with my Blossoms Nestabilitie die, drawn around the edge of the die and cut it out of pink card as well. Both this and the image were attached to their mounts with some foam tape.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, onto which I have layered up a piece of pink card with one of three papers from one of my Nitwit Downloads, the first one has a pink base with a heart pattern on, the second layer is a pink paper with spots Ive punched around the edge with my new Martha Stewart border punch, and done the same with the third layer a cream paper similar in design as the first one. These were layered on top of one another a stuck to the centre of the first mount. Across the centre I have stuck a piece of lace that Ive have sewn some pink beads at intervals along the two edges, this was stuck to the back of the first layer.

On top of this I have positioned my mounted image, and my stamped greeting to the right hand side at the bottom.

Ive then created four flowers with the Nellie Snellen punches with some of the left over paper, and stuck them to my card on top of some punched out fern leaves, on one of them Ive have hung two beads that Im using as charms. To finish of I have stuck another bead flower in the corner on the left hand side.

Creating Mens Cards

Im sorry I havent been around much this week, but for the last couple of days Ive been creating some mens cards for the family and friends. Ive got quite a few with birthdays in the first three months of the year and I thought as its likely Im going to be a bit busy in the next few weeks Id better make a few cards and keep them in reserve ready for them.

These Marvel comic characters seemed exactly right for them, the range from Spider Man, the Hulk, Captain America, X men, Silver Surfer and several others, and I know that a lot of men seemed to like them and I felt they were exactly right for the age range that Im catering for. I bought these decoupage and backing sheets from Create and Craft a couple of months ago, and Ive been meaning to get them out and start using them, but just dont seem to have have the time to do so. Anyway what Ive done is pick the main topper and a corsponding backing paper and a coloured acetate sheet for each card.

Ive created each of the cards around a A5 size base card, which is folding an A4 piece of card in half, then for the main front I have layered up a piece of the backing paper onto a piece of Silver Mirri board and stuck this to the card front. Over this I have stuck the coloured acetate, which was again a A4 size folded in half to stick it to the fold Ive used some vellum glue down the fold.

Ive then cut out the decoupage sheet and stuck the main image onto another piece of Silver Mirri board and stuck this on the front of the acetate, and then built up the decoupage on top, this was stuck to the base layer with some silicone glue. These sheets come with greetings and Ive cut one of them out and mounted this also onto a piece of silver mirri board and stuck this actually to the inside under the acetate wrap.

My Husband and his new Scarlet Lady

Theres a new lady in my dear Husbands life and hes absolutely over the moon with her, so I thought you might like to see what Im talking about, weve just been to collect our new car, a bright scarlet Skoda Octavia Estate and as you can see my husband is throughly in love with her.

I dont mind really at least hes carnt be unfaithful to me with her, and it should give him a few years service, plus which weve now decided to have an automatic, hes hoping I might do a bit of the driving also, not particularly interested really but you never know. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxx

Just Magnolia Challenge Card - A Card for Someone Special

Todays card has been created for the Just Magnolia Challenge, a card for someone special, Ive used one of the new Christmas stamps this one has Tilda holding a Christmas present, Ive stamped her onto a piece of white card and coloured her with my copic pens, and my clear glitter pen on the hat and cuffs. Because shes quite a big stamp Ive used my Martha Steward circular cutting tool to cut her out, and used a larger hole for the mount, Ive used a red card for this.

For the base card Ive used a 8"x 8" white card and for my first layer Ive used a piece of the same red card and one of two papers from the Dovecraft "Tis the Season" set, this one has a red background with a design of snowmen and fir trees on, the second mount Ive used another piece of red card and this time Ive used white design paper with a selection of fir trees and flourishes, this was positioned in the centre at the top of the first layer.

I then stamped a greeting onto white card and punched it out with one of the ribbon tag Nestabilitie dies, with a red mount, then threaded a ribbon through the two end holes and positioned across the bottom of my card. I mounted my stamped image in the centre of my card.

I then created three flowers from some left over paper from my mounts, these were punched out with my flower punches then I moulded them with a ball tool, then popped a pearl brad with a silver spacer through the centres and hung a stocking charm from the bottom one. I then arranged some fern leaves in a circle and my stuck my flowers on top.

One Card for Three Challenges

Well todays card is to cover three challenges, mainly because Im feeling rather lazy but I hope that it meets all their criterias, so here we go, Mo's Digital Challenge for "Someone Special", Cute Card Thursday Challenge "Swirly Girly", and finally Stampin for the Weekend, "Red, Green and Gold".

Ive used one of Mo Mannings gorgeous Bella and Bronte images for this card, I love these two they are so cute and so lifelike, Ive printed her onto a piece of white card and coloured her with my copic pens after which I have cut her out with my rotatrim and mounted her onto some red card. The greeting is one of my stamps from my crafty stash, this was also stamped onto white card then cut out and mounted onto red card.

My base card is a 8"x 8" white card and for my first layer Ive used a piece of the same red card, and one of three papers from the Dovecraft "Tis the Season" papers all from http://www.donnasdenofcrafts.co.uk/, Ive used these a lot lately as it seems appropriate for this time of the year and the colouring is ideal for these Challenges, Red, Green and Gold, theres even a bit of blue on my third paper. These were cut and layered up as follows, the second mounts are two squares stuck at opposite corners and the third mount is stuck down the centre, over these I have placed a red and dark maroon holly leaf ribbon with a gold edge to the back of my first layer. This has loads of swirls on.

I then stuck my mounted image to the centre of my card and my greeting to the bottom right hand side, after which I have arranged three poinsettas to the top left hand side with a little bit of stickles on the white one just to give it some sparkle. To finish of I have stuck three red pearls down the right hand side.

A Christmas Card for a Dear Friend

I must apologise for not posting anything since Monday, but both my hubby and I have been suffering with one hell of a cold/cough bug, its really been a bummer and we still carnt see an end to the damn thing. One of our dear granddaughters happily passed it on while we were visiting them two weeks ago, and to be honest its the type of present I would prefer to do without, I dont usually succumb to them but its hit me with a force for sure, anyway you dont want to hear about my problems so I will shut up and start telling you about my card.

Todays card was created for a dear friend of mine, hopefully in the next few days she will open the envelope and know it was meant for her, she sent me one gorgeous birthday card and Xmas card recently and she probably already knows who she is. Anyway the stamped image is one of the Blue Egg designs from Whiff of Joy, isnt it gorgeous, Ive stamped it out onto white card and coloured it with my copic pens, after which I have distressed the edge with my red inkpad and mounted it onto a piece of red card. The greeting is another of my stamps and I have done exactly the same with this.

To make up my card Ive used a 6"x 6" base card, and for the first layer Ive used a piece of red card and one of two "Tis the Season" papers from Dovecraft, given to me in my DT pack from http://www.donnasdenofcrafts.co.uk/ for the new Cards for Men Challenge, this one is a green paper with a red and green pattern on, for the second mount Ive used another piece of red card and the second paper, this one is a red paper with snowmen and Xmas trees on, this was positioned to the left handside of my base layer, over this I have put a wide red and gold holly ribbon and attached it to the back of the first layer. This was then stuck to the base card, and my mounted image was positioned on top in the centre, and my greeting to the right handside at the bottom.

To finish of I have stuck some Poinsetta flowers in opposite corners around my stamped image, and three red pearls down the right hand side at the top.

My Very First Card for the New Cards For Men Challenge Blog - A Xmas Card for a Male either for a Man or Boy.

Today is the launch of Donna's new Challenge blog http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/ and as one of a Design Team who include Viv Holden of http://craftinghaven.blogspot.com/, Lisa Nowacki of http://wishcraftcards.blogspot.com/ and Patricia St. Martin of http://rubberstampingismygame.blogspot.com/, we would like to invite you all to take part in the Challenges. They run monthly at the moment and if you click on the link it will take you to the blog and you will be able to read about all the rules and regulations.

My card for this first Challenge has been created for my husband from some lovely DT goodies that Donna sent me to play with, you will find all of these on her website http://www.donnasdenofcrafts.co.uk/ she has some lovely goodies for sale and Im sure you will be thrilled at exactly how much she does have to offer.

The stamp I have used for this card is one of Joanna Sheens Messy Rabbit series, hes dressed as Santa Claus I coloured him with my copic pens, after which Ive cut him out with my rotatrim and distressed around the edges with a red inkpad. The sentiment was created on my computer and printed out, then distressed in the same way, both of them were then mounted on to red card.

For my base card I have used a 8"x 8" white card, and for the first layer I have used a piece of red card and one of the lovely Christmas papers from Donnas shop, they are called "Tis the Season" by Dovecraft, Its a lovely red paper with snowmen, trees and snowflakes on, around the top and bottom of this layer I have attached two ribbon strips in white with a tree pattern on. For my second layer I have cut three pieces of green card all the same size and used the second of the pattern papers, a lovely white one with yet more trees, presents and flourishes on, these were then positioned across the base card at equal distances from each other.

My mounted stamped image was then positioned on top of these mounts with the sentiment at the bottom right hand side. I then punched out some snowflakes from white card, dipped them in glue and then some Diamond Dust glitter and when dried I positioned them at the top of my card on both sides of my stamped image.

And the prize for this first Challenge is Crafters Companion Ultimate Pro, wow how about that for reason to take part in the Challenge.

Launch of New Challenge Blog

Tomorrow is the Launch of a brand new Challenge Blog http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/ I just wanted to remind you and sincerely hope that you will take part in the challenges, as a Design Team member myself and with other members of my team we will be displaying our own designs from tomorrow morning.
I know many of you take part in the number of Challenge Blogs so Im sincerely hoping that you will join this one, its certainly going to test your creativity, as its just cards for men, and I also know we struggle to do just that, so Im hoping that we will all be able to take some of the ideas that will be entered and use them for our own cards.
The challenges will be set monthly for now and our team leader Donna Walker of http://www.donnasdenofcrafts.co.uk/ is going to be donating the prizes for these challenges for now, so we are very lucky to have such a generous sponser. Again I sincerely hope that you will be taking part and Im looking forward to visiting your blogs to see what you can create.

Just Magnolia Challenge Card - A Sketch by Martine

Todays card was created for this weeks Just Magnolia Challenge, a sketch by Martine, Ive used one of the new Christmas stamps for my image, which I stamped onto white card and coloured her with my copic pens, after Id finished colouring I used my Sakura clear glitter pen on the furry bits and the snowflakes. After which I punched her out with one of my Nestabilitie Label dies, then drew around the die to create a mount for her to be put on, then I stuck them together with some foam tape. The greeting has been stamped onto a small tag and then punched out with one of the tag Nestabilitie dies, stuck them together with foam and stuck a brad through the hole.

The base card is a 7"x 7" white card, for the first layer Ive just a pale blue card and one of two papers I received in my DT pack from  Donna of http://www.donnasdenofcrafts.co.uk/, both of them have a snowflake design on, the second mount is piece that Ive put the second paper on and stuck it across the centre of the base card, for my third mount Ive used a pearlescent blue paper and the doily lace edge border punch by Martha Stewart, and on top of this I have layered up another piece of dark blue pearlescent card thats been run through my cuttlebug with a snowflake embossing folder, these two were stuck down the centre of my base card.

Ive then stuck my mounted image in the centre with some foam tape and the tag I stuck to the top on the left. Ive also popped two pearl brads in the centres of the second layer as instructed on the sketch, and to finish of Ive used three pointsetta flowers on the bottom right hand side, these reflect the ones on Tilda's pole.

Passing on some really lovely Awards

Just recently I have been given some really lovely awards from Celia of http://celia-thecolorofmydreams.blogspot.com/ Dorothy of http://dorothypatricia.blogspot.com/ Nikki of http://nikkiscards.blogspot.com/ Guendalen of http://oceanofimaginations.blogspot.com/ Sue of http://scoopysstuff.blogspot.com/ and Lyn of http://spyder-spyderscorner.blogspot.com/ Im so sorry its taken me so long to pass these awards on but I do want to thank the girls for them and to tell them that I absolutely adore popping by their blogs to read their latest news and see their beautiful creations.
Some of these awards come with consequences, unfortunately I dont have them to hand so Im going to cheat and just pass them onto all my followers who pop by my blog to help themselves to anyone of them that they may not have already got, as I dont think at the moment it would be fair for me to pick anyone out in particular as youve been so wonderful to me over a very difficult period. Bless you all and THANK YOU again from the bottom of my heart, because of your thoughts and comments its made it a lot easier to get through it. With all my very fondest love and huge hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Whiff of Joy Challenge - A Christmas Card

My card today is for the Whiff of Joy Challenge, A Christmas Card, Ive used this lovely pair of snowpeople, and it seems hubby is getting his wifes head on, mind you I suppose it could have been other way around. Ive stamped them out onto white card and coloured them with my copic pens, then used my Nestabilitie circle die to punch them out, then used the Scalloped die for the mount, Ive used a dark blue pearlescent card for this. The greeting is one of the Just-Rite circle stamps and Ive punched it out the same way as my stamped image and mounted this also onto a piece of the same coloured blue card.

Ive used a sketch that I found on one of the blogs and then created my card with a 6"x 6" white base card, and for my first mount Ive used a pale blue card onto which I have layered up one of my DT papers from http://www.donnasdenofcrafts.co.uk/ its a lovely pale blue paper with a snowflake design on it, Ive then used another piece of the same dark blue pearlescent card and run it through my cuttlebug with the snowflake embossing folder, and positioned it to the right hand side of my card, then Ive stuck my mounted image to the left, after which I have wrapped a blue snowflake ribbon across the card and attached it to the back of the first layer, then Ive stuck my greeting at the botton of my card.

To finish of Ive punched out some swirls from some of the same first layer paper and attached them to my card on top of the blue pearlescent card with some glue and popped a few pearls amoungst the swirls.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge - Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Todays card was originally made for a little lad called Matthew, hes the son of my Design Team Boss Donna Walker of http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/, and it so happens her sons birthday was the same day as mine, so I didnt want to post it before hed had a chance to see it, but felt that as this weeks Cute Card Challenge was for Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails it would be just right for it.

Its one of the Mo Mannings Digi stamps, Ive printed it out onto white card and coloured it with my copic pens after which I have cut it out and mounted it onto a piece of blue card, before doing so Ive distressed it around the edge with a blue inkpad. The greeting is one that I created with my Just-Rite stamps, as its a bit like the old letra sets you can make up any words you like as the letters all come separately. I also distressed the edges before mounting it onto a piece of blue card, Ive also used my Sakura clear glitter pen on his name.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card with a first layer of blue card, and one of  four papers from Nitwit downloads, the first one has an all over sentiment pattern, the second and third layers have balloons on them, and Ive used the EK Success candle border punch on these, and the forth layer is yet another piece of blue card and the second of the sentiment papers was stuck to this before being placed across the centre of the other two layers.

Ive then stuck my mounted image to the left and my greeting to the bottom on the right with some foam tape, to finish of Ive use used some embellishments made from foam that I found in Tesco's childrens department, they are mainly American type cars and vans but I dont think children worry to much about that.

I just wanted to thank everyone for giving me a wonderful birthday yesterday, there was so many lovely things said and given it really did make me feel loved and after loosing my mum like that, I have been feeling very lost it helped to make my day extra special, thank you so much girls you really dont know how much it meant to me, bless you all with love and huge hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxx

Wow what lovely friends I have

Ive been one really lucky lady today, Ive received some really gorgeous and beautiful cards and presents from my lovely crafty and blogging friends, Linda sent me the beautiful card on the left handside with the gorgoeus fairy present, Gisela sent me the beautiful card in the front with all those lovely goodies underneath,  the two gorgeous cards in the centre were from my lovely friends Mandy and Christine, the beautiful book card at the top was from my special friend Liz and the gorgeous poppy card was from my friend Karen, I would like to think that each and every one of these lovely ladies are my really special friends, so I would like to thank you all for giving me one fantastic Birthday. Also I want to thank those lovely girls who also left me lovely birthday wishes on my blog yesterday, THANK YOU to.
My hubby also spoilt me today and took me out to dinner, which was lovely and it did save me having to cook today and that was one of the best presents ever. So thank you everyone for giving me a special day Ive really enjoyed it, it certainly helped to make it one of the most special birthdays ever. Bless you all and THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, with love and huge hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Well Im back but not quite ready to Post a Card

Its been a really hectic and difficult last few days, we have travelled about 550 miles since Saturday driving upto Hickstead in Sussex to stay at a motel, then visiting Chatham in Kent to see the grandchildren and their mums and then to Brighton on Monday for my mums funeral, then driving back home again to Gloucester yesterday.
As you can imagine my emotions have been up and down and Im still struggling to come to terms with the fact that I wont ever be able to talk to my mum again, the service was lovely and she would have been whole heartly proud to see so many of her family and friends attending. My brother gave a talk about his feelings about what mum meant to him, and some of it I could relate but some I could not, but then we all see our parents in different lights. All I can say is that she suffered greatly in the last few years of her life and the one thing that helps me cope is knowing the fact that she is no longer in pain and is now back again with my father, but I am going to miss her especially our chats together discussing the family and asking for advice, thats what Im going to miss the most.
Anyway Ive got some very big thank yous to give, firstly to Avril, Mandy and Donna for the lovely cards they sent me, thank you so much girls, also for the lovely comments youve all been leaving me, youve all made me feel loved and warm, they have helped me cope THANK YOU.
Im hoping to be able to start card crafting today but please forgive me if I dont get around to posting anything for a couple of days, as its my birthday tomorrow my hubby has offered to take me out, so lets hope the weather is kind as its been so awful for everyone just lately.
Lastly I must remind you of the launch of the new Challenge Blog http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/ on Tuesday 1st December, Donna will be posting our DT cards very soon, I do so hope that you will be taking part in the monthly challenges, they will certainly test your skills as its all to do with MEN for a change.
With love and huge hugs to you all, Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxxx

One Card again for Two Challenges

Due to being away from tomorrow till next Wednesday Im posting another Challenge card today, this one is for the Stampin for the Weekend challenge which was a sketch, and the Just Magnolia challenge which was masking.

I stamped my Tilda image onto white card and masked her before stamping the parcels behind her, then coloured her with my copic pens after which I punched her out with my oval Nestabilitie die, I rather choped of one of her feet a bit, sorry about that, I then used a Scalloped diecut for the mount, this I did in red card. The sentiment is one of the new Christmas greetings from Just Magnolia and this was stamped and cut out and mounted it also onto red card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card and for my first layer Ive used a piece of red card, and one of two beautiful designed Christmas papers sent to me in a DTs Goodie Bundle by Donna of http://www.donnasdenofcrafts.co.uk/ for my own use and also with my position on her new DT for http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/, the day is drawing close for the launch, keep watching this space I will be giving your more information towards the end of next week.

Anyway getting back to my card, Ive used a lovely red and gold greeting paper for my first layer, then cut two small squares in red card to put in two opposite corners, on these I have used my second paper, this one is red one with snowmen and Christmas trees, afterwards I have wrapped two pieces of ribbon across the centre of my card on the diagonal from top left hand corner to the bottom right hand one.

Ive then positioned my mounted image to the right hand side in the middle and my greeting to the left at the bottom. I then decided to create two flowers from some of left over papers punched them out and moulded them with my ball tool after which I have put two pearl brads through the centres with spacers, and from the bottom one Ive hung a Christmas tree charm. Before attaching them to my card Ive punched out some fern leaves and arranged them in a circle in some silicone glue before popping my flowers on top. I also decided to pop a couple of punched out snowflakes on the other side and some pearls in the centres and three pearls at the top along the edge of the top square.

One Card for Two Challenges

Todays card is to cover two challenges, Cute Card Thursday which this week is Teens, and Mo Mannings Digital Challenge which must contain 3 papers, 2 ribbons and one punched edge. For this Challenge I have used one of Mo Digi Stamps and this one is of a young lad playing on his Nintendo just as all our grandsons seem to be doing these days. Ive coloured him with my copic pens and cut him out with my rotatrim and mounted him onto a piece of dark blue pearlescent card. The greeting was created on my computer and then printed and mounted in the same was as the mounted image.

My base card is a 8"x 8" white card, with a first layer of the same dark blue card and one of three birthday papers from the Nitwit Downloads Collection called Candles and Cake,  the second and third layers have both of their edges punched with my EK Success candle border punch and then stuck across the centre of my base layer. I then stuck two different Rik Rak ribbons across the bottom and top of this layer and attached them to the back after which I stuck the whole thing to my base card.

On top of this I have positioned my mounted image and attached it to the card with some foam tape, and did the same with the greeting putting it in the bottom right hand corner. To finish of I have stuck some appropriate buttons I found amoungst my crafty stash.

Donna's Blogcandy and the Launch of a New Challenge Blog

As a lot of you maybe aware I have been asked to join a new Challenge blog as a Design Team Member, and as a run up to the big day the 1st December, Donna is running some blogcandy, if you click on the link http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/ it will take your there and you will be able to read all about the new Challenge Blog and take part in hopefully winning some blogcandy as well, it runs till the 26th November, and its to celebrate her sons birthday and her 1000 hits, and guess what its my birthday as well.

Im so excited at the prospect of joining Donna's DT and as its all new to me, it will be a steep learning curve, so lets hope I dont have to many falls on the way, I do so hope you will take part when the Challenge starts, I will give you more details next week closer to the launch date. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxx

A Christmas Card for a very Dear Friend

Todays card is another Christmas Card, this one is for a special friend of mine, carnt say as it wouldnt be a surprise when they received it. Its one of the Whiff of Joy stamps and she is so elegant with her lamp, Ive stamped her out onto white card then coloured it with my copic pens, after which I have punched her out with one of my Nestabilitie dies and created a mount for her from a piece of dark blue card. The sentiment is the Hero Art one which I have stamped then punched out with a smaller size of the same die and mounted this also onto a piece of the same blue card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, with the first layer of dark blue card, with one of four patterned papers from the Nitwit Downloads, these are all Christmas ones, and the first one is a greetings one, and on top of this I have created a second smaller mount which is behind the image, not to easy to see as its been covered, but on top of this is a third mount with a blue patterned paper, and a further two mounts with the fourth paper stuck either side of the last mount. Over these I have positioned my stamped mounted image and my greeting to the bottom right hand side.

To finish of Ive used some of the left over paper to create two flowers with my ball tool and through the centres I have put two pearl brads and spacers, I also hung a snowflake charm from the bottom one. Before positioning them on my card Ive punched out some fern leaves and stuck them in a circle with some silicone glue then put my flowers on top.

A Christmas Card for my Mother in Law

Its not easy to create a card for your mother in law and especially if she suffers with dementia, so I wanted to make one that she could touch and feel the texture of it. Ive actually used on of the Joanna Sheen Cds, Victorian Christman for this one, and printed out a topper sheet first. I also printed out all three backing papers as well, to use to layer up the card.

The card is a 6"x 6" white card, and Ive used gold mirri board for my mounting medium with this card, and used my first patterned paper onto this base layer, the second layer is a 1" smaller  and was created in the same way and again it was layered up onto the gold card. Around the middle I have put a wide gold and red ribbon which I have attached to the back of the base layer.

For my main topper I have again layered this onto gold card, and then created a slightly smaller mount to fit this onto, and then Ive stuck it to the centre of my card with some foam tape. The sentiment was printed from my computer and then also mounted onto gold mirri card, and positioned to the right hand side at the bottom, and to finish of I have used three small pointsetta flowers and one large one in the top and bottom left hand corners. The final thing I did was put some yellow stickles in the centres of the flowers on the topper, and some clear on the white pearly bits in the arrangement.

Another Xmas Card for one of My Daughters

I think you should know I have five daughters between my husband and I, his two and my three, and I stupidly had forgotten that when I was making the family ones, so thats how two of them got left out, luckily this is the last one, and tomorrow I will post my card for my Mother-in-Law, though Ive still got a few to make for friends, I think that maybe the close family ones could now be all done.

Todays card is another of the Home Grown stamps from Sugar Nellie, this is a sweet image of a young lass feeding a fawn, Ive stamped her out onto white card and coloured her with my copic pens. The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, and for the first layer I have used a dark blue pearlescent card, with one of three designs again from the Funky Fairy Downloads, this set are the reverse colours to the blue set I used yesterday, and the basic design of the card is also very similar instead its been done on the diagonal. On the two layers I have used the snowflake border punch again and then positioned them in the left hand corner, I also cut the pink embossed card to fit as well, to finish of I have layed some lace and ribbon across as and stuck to the back before sticking the whole thing to the base card.

I then positioned my stamped image, which I had mounted onto another piece of the dark blue card, onto my card in the centre and my mounted greeting to the right hand side at the bottom, I used foam tape for both to raise it up a bit. The snowflakes are punched out pieces of the left over pink paper, and the white ones are ones that I got free with a magazine.

A Christmas Card for one of My Daughters

Due to my mums death a week ago I have been out the posting scene for a week, so I thought youd like to see a card Ive been making during the time Ive been away. To be honest with you Ive spent most of the week making up my Christmas cards, and guess what Ive still got quite a few to make, some important ones so I suspect you may just get to see them during the next few days, before I have to go of to Sussex for my mums funeral next Monday. Before I leave this subject I want to thank all the girls who have given me so much support over this difficult time bless you, Ive really appreciated it, and to also say that my bladder infection is now on the mend, thank goodness it was extremely painful, best to avoid that one if you can.

Now my card, Ive used one of the Sugar Nellie home grown stamps, Ive stamped her onto white card and then coloured her with my copic pens, then used my Nestabilitie label die to cut her out, afterwards because I had to use the largest die, Ive laid the die onto a piece blue pearlescent card, drawn around the outside edge then cut it out with scissors, this gives you the mount to stick it to. The sentiment is one of the Hero Arts and this has also been mounted onto a piece of blue card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, with a first layer of the same dark blue card onto which I have stuck one of three papers that I printed for this card, these papers are by Funky Fairy Downloads, and were just right for the design I created. The first layer has a greeting all over it, and the second and third layers are reverse blue and white snowflakes, and along the edges Ive used my snowflake border punch. I then put a piece of pale blue pearlescent card through my cuttlebug with the snowflake design and wrapped a blue spotted ribbon around the middle and attached it to the back.

The mounted image was then stuck to the centre of my card with some foam tape and the greeting popped below on the right. To finish of the card Ive created several snowflakes by punching them out, and dipping them into glue before shaking diamond dust all over them, after they dried Ive scattered them around the card.

One Fabulous Award from three Wonderful Girls

 Ive been lucky enough to be awarded this award twice in the last week, but due to my own problems havent been able acknowledge receipt, so please firstly Nikki of http://nikkiscards.blogspot.com/ and Guendalen of http://oceanofimaginations.blogspot.com/ and guess what I also received  another award today from Lyn of  http://spyder-spyderscorner.blogspot.com/please forgive me for not posting them before today. If you dont mind I will look into passing them on another time, as I really dont feel upto it at the moment,

Thank you both again for the honour youve done me, and bless you also for your support in this last difficult week. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxx

Sample No.6 for Sarah - A Squirrel Writing Case

Todays sample is the last of the ones from "Woodland Treasures" Cd that I created for Sarah of http://www.spanglefish.com/peerlessdesigns/ as her program will be transmitted on Sunday at 12noon, on Create and Craft, as you can really see from this photo the images shes created are stunning, I love this little red squirrel, and thought it was ideal for a writing case, mainly because of him collecting his nuts, it seemed appropriate for us to use it for making notes.

Anyway Ive used four sheets of the same backing paper for this and another stronger pattern for the front, and mounted them onto green card, on all three of the sides, inside and out, for the two pockets inside I have cut two piece of card with an angle and mounted them onto more of the same backing paper.

I then printed out the topper that I wanted onto semi gloss photo paper, and mounted this also onto a piece of the same green card, before sticking it to the front I have laid a long enough piece of green organza ribbon to allow your to tie up in a bow, then popped the topper on top. The last thing I have done is stamped the sentiment at the bottom directly onto the card.

Afterwards I printed out some of the backing papers for note paper, but I must admit I took one of the designs into My Craft Studio and scaled it down to a A5 size which fitted better in the pocket than a bigger size would have done, then printed some of the envelopes from the Cd made them up and popped those into the other pocket.

I want to thank you so much for being so patient and bringing me so much love, and to let you know that we now have a funeral date for my mum, its to be 23rd November at 2pm in Brighton, so it does mean that we will have to spend a few nights away as its quite a long distance to go in one day, plus which we will use the time to visit our grandchildren and daughters while we are in the area. With love and huge hugs Shirleyxxxxxxx

Sample No.5 for Sarah - Hedgehog Gateleg Card

Todays sample for Sarah is a Hedgehog Gateleg Card, this is another of the beautiful images from her new Woodland Treasures Cd, you will be able to buy if from her website http://www.spanglefish.com/peerlessdesigns/ as Ive said before you will find some really beautiful cds there and they are p&p free.

The main image was mounted onto some mount board and then triple embossed to make it really thick and shinny, it was then mounted onto a piece of gold mirri board. The Sentiment is one of my greetings stamps that I have in my craft stash, this was stamped onto a piece of white card and also mounted on to gold mirri card.

The base card is 8"x 8" white card, but has been folded with the opening in the centre instead of the side, onto these two sides I have mounted firstly two pieces of gold card and one of the gorgeous backing papers that has been cut to fit on the mounts, after which I have placed and stuck half of my mounted topper on one half of the gate fold, and the same with the sentiment.  

Before creating the flowers for the front, I decided to finish of the inside behind the gatefold opening as it was right in your face when you did so, this was done with the same backing paper but I took it into My Craft Studio and put a white rectangle into the centre for the verse, then after that I mounted this onto another piece of the same gold mirri board stamped a verse onto it and then stuck it inside my card.

Then to finish of Ive used some punches that I bought from my lovely German friend Birsel from http://hobbyvita.blogspot.com/ and they are really lovely and easy to use, as its a two step thing you have to have two punches for each layer, one to punch out the shape and the other to shape the punched out shape (hope you understand what Im saying), these are then layered up, as there is two different sizes of punches and a punched out centre. I then punched out some fern leaves and arranged them in a circle with some silicone glue, and popped my flowers on top, but to finish them of I have used some yellow stickles in the centre for a change.

Again I want to thank you for the lovely comments you ladies have been leaving me, Im coping quite well though I have been suffering with a bladder infection which is extremely painful, but it seems now to be under control. But it is my poor brother who got the short end of the stick as hes having to do all the arrangements and so far its not going as easy as we hoped, as my mum died within 24hours after being taken into hospital there had to be a coroners inquest into what happened, so until her body been released we carnt even book a date for the funeral. So please keep praying that it wont take to much longer and we can at last start to grieve and say goodbye to her.

Thank you again for your support, I will start hopefully my blog hopping at the weekend, bless you and keep us in your prayers. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sarahs Sample No.4 - Badger Waterfall Card

Todays card is one of the beautiful Badger images, and I have created a waterfall card, the base card is a 8"x 8" white card, and for the first layer I have used a piece of green card with one of the beautiful papers from the Cd. I then printed another of the designs and with my Martha Steward maple leaf border punch around all four sides then stuck it to the base card, across the centre I have stuck some lace that I found in my stash.

The actual waterfall is a long piece of green card sectioned of into 1/2" segments and then with a slightly bigger width at the bottom allowing you to be able to attach it to the base card. I punched a hole at the bottom for some ribbon to allow you to pull the waterfall through. This was made with several printed toppers, four in all and these were attached to the segments one after another.

I also thought you might like to see the inside of the card, and this has been manipulated in My Craft Studio to give me two bordered pages for the inside, on one side I have stuck one of the smaller images, and on the other side I have stamped a verse.

I nearly forgot, on the front of the card Ive created a flower from some of the left over paper, moulded it with my ball tool fastened them together with a pearl brad and spacer, and then punched out some leaves and arranged them in a circle before sticking my flower on top.

I hope that you like the card, its certainly a beautiful cd to work with and definitely suitable for any mens cards. You will find this beautiful cd and many of her others at her website http://www.spanglefish.com/peerlessdesigns/, she also offers free postage and packing, and some suitable stamps that she created to go with some of the other cds, and also a few that will work with this one Woodland Friends.

Thank you so Much

I want to thank you all so much for the really lovely comments youve been leaving concerning the death of my mum, I have been popping by to read them and they have given me much comfort in this difficult time.
Unfortunately we still do not know when the funeral is as theres been some problems with getting the death certificates sorted out, but hopefully if my brother is able I imagine its probably going to be sometime next week.
So I just want to thank you all for your support and the beautiful comments you left me. I will be posting some of my samples for Sarah Hallam of Peerless Designs today, tomorrow and Friday, as I feel that I owe her that, as she is due to preview her new Cd "Woodland Friends" on Sunday on Create and Craft at 12pm and as she gave me the opportunity to create samples for her, I would like to show them to you first.
I probably wont be taking part in any of the challenges this week because of my mums death, and I dont want to let Sarah down, so I hope you will support her on Sunday. Thank you and Bless You again, with love and huge hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxx