Has anyone any suggestions Please

I have a number of Crime and Detection audio tape books by authors like Ian Rankin, Peter Robinson and Patricia Cornwall, and I would like to donate them to a society that would like them, but I have no idea who might be interested, if anyone out there could give me some ideas I would be very grateful.
I must tell you there are quite a number of them and would need to be picked up, so its another thing to take into consideration, but I would be quite happy to give them to a worthy cause, could you please email me. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxx

Mo Mannings Bat Cat Halloween Card

Well guess what we are back to the Halloween cards, Ive still got two more to make and then I think Im done, or at least I believe so. Todays card has been created with yet another of the gorgeous Mo Mannings Digi Stamps this one is called Bat Cat, and I have one grandson whos absolutely dotty on cats so thought this would be ideal for him.

Ive printed out the stamp and coloured it with my copic pens, after which Ive used my rotatrim to cut it out, then Ive mounted it onto a piece of black card. The sentiment is one Hero Arts Clear Stamp collection, and Ive stamped this onto a piece of white card and have then cut it out and mounted this also onto a piece of black card. I should have said that I did use a chalk inkpad to distress around the edge of both of these mounts before sticking them to the black card.

The base card is 8"x 8" white card and for the first layer Ive used a piece of orange card, and again Ive used the same Halloween designs from Donna's Bearly Mine Halloween Designs from her latest Extreme Collection of Cds. This first paper is one with a bat pattern on, then on top of this Ive used a second paper, this one has a patchwork of black, green, orange and blue squares that have a look of being sewn together, Ive used my EK Success Bat border punch of the two edges and stuck this on top of the first mount. To the centre of this I have stuck a piece of orange card which was first put through my cuttlebug machine with a embossing folder which had the Halloween design on.

On top of this I have mounted my digi stamp, which I firstly positioned some fantasy fibre's under it, to look like spiders web. The sentiment was then stuck to the bottom of the card on the right. To finish of I have stuck some buttons on the orange card of spook, cat and paws.

Another of Mo Mannings Gorgeous Digi Stamps

I firstly must apologise for not being around for a couple of days, weve had some upsetting news and its causing me more stress than usually, but hopefully with time it will be sorted out. Anyway today I did manage to finish of a card that I started last night, this one is another of the Mo Mannings gorgeous Digi Stamps, this one is called "soaking up the joy". I think its really lovely and I printed her out and coloured her with my copic pens, after which I have punched her out with one of the Nestabilitie label dies, I think it could really have been better cut out with my rotatrim as it does seem rather cramped, anyway I used the same die to create a larger mount for it to be mounted onto, this was some pink and white check glitter card I had in my stash. Ive also used it for the greeting which was stamped out then also mounted onto a piece of the same glitter card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, and for the first layer Ive used the same glitter card, and onto this I have stuck another of the sets of papers from the Bearly Mind Extreme Design Cd these were all shades of yellow. And on top of this I have put two other layers of patterned paper that Ive used one of my Martha Stewart border punches down the edges first, over the top I have layered up a piece of yellow mirri card that has been firstly put through my cuttlebug machine with a lovely rose embossing folder, around this I have put a piece of ribbon. Then this was stuck to the base card down the centre.

The mounted image was then stuck to this card over the ribbon and the greeting was stuck underneath it. To finish of Ive used several Prima flowers that have just come on the market, and punched out some leaves with my punch and stuck them with some silicone glue in a circle with the flowers then put on top.

Just Magnolia Challenge - Pink, Grey and Optional Black

Well what another combination of colours for this challenge, well Ive used my new Tilda stamps for this one. Ive stamped Tilda then masked her to stamp the plate behind her, then with my copic pens Ive coloured her with shades of pink and grey, not easy but I hope that Ive achieved a reasonable effect.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, and for the first layer Ive used a pink card with the first of my two pink patterned papers, and again Ive resorted to using the Bearly Mind Extreme Cd designs, the first one is a very pretty flower pattern, the second layer is a black card with a black swirl pattern on, and around these two I have wrapped a piece of Lace with a Pink and Grey Star ribbon with a bow created at the bottom, this I have stuck to the back of the first layer.

Ive then stuck my third mount on top of these two, this one is another piece of pink card with my second pink patterned paper, this one has lots of pink bubbles on. Ive then positioned my mounted stamped image, which has had some stone grey ink distressed around the edge of it, onto a piece of black card, and this has been mounted onto the last mount with some foam tape.

The stamped greeting has also been mounted onto a piece of black card and with another piece of foam tape positioned below the stamped image at the bottom on the right. To finish of I stuck some pink pearl brads in two of the corners.

The final embellishment is my rose, this has been created with twenty balloon punched out shapes on a circle of green, these were first moulded and linked in a circle in layers and the centre petals are half of a heart shape which has also been shaped into a petal as well. Ive then punched out some rose leaves, moulded them and marked the veins either side, and poisitioned them in a circle on some silicone glue before sticking my rose on top.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge - Buzz Off

Not literally, but thats the challenge title this time, its all to do with everything being in black and yellow. I sincerely hope that this card is near enough to that challenge though there is a little skin colouring on my young lass's face hope you will forgive me that, I think Ive Id done her skin yellow you would be complaining shes probably got some liver complaint. And guess what it isnt a Halloween card this time.

Anyway this stamped image is one of the Charmed Cards and Crafts Stamps, this one is Purrfect Annie and Kitty, there are quite a few different ones in the set, so I would click on the link and pop across and have a look, theres some really lovely new Fairy stamps there I see today. Ive stamped her out onto white card and coloured her with my Copic Pens, using the Yellow and Grey/Black colours. Ive then punched her out with my Circle Nestabilitie die and after Ive used two of the Scalloped edged ones, they are two different sizes. The sentiment is one of Hero Arts one and this also has been punched out with a label Nestabilitie die, this has been done twice, once with yellow card and then the actual greeting was punched out and trimmed to fit it.

The base card is 8"x 8" white card with my first layer is black card with a lovely black and white pattern on, again Ive used Donna's beautiful papers from her Bearly Mine Extreme Designs Cds, and the second layer is a yellow patterned paper on a piece of yellow card, this was cut in a triangle shape and stuck to the base layer. The third layer is yet again another of the black and white patterns, this has a multi spot design on and this was stuck onto a another piece of black card, and positioned to the right of the card. Ive then put some black satin ribbon through the holes of the sentiment and stuck it across the bottom of my card and attached it to the back of the first layer.

I then created a flower from two more of the patterned papers, and moulded it with my ball tool and then punched a hole through the centre and stuck a pearl brad through it with a butterfly charm hanging from it. I then put some silicone glue in a ring and put my punched out black leaves around it and then popped my flower on top. To finish of I though it looked a bit to drab so I found some yellow gems and stuck them over some of the multi sized black spots on the pattern.

A Wonderful Surprise

Today I want to thank some really lovely people, I dont know how or why I have been so lucky since starting blogging nearly a year ago, Ive made some really lovely friends, they give me so much love and confidence to try and do better.

I find it difficult to accept that Im any good at this card making lark, and I suspect many of you do to, we went into crafting because we love to create something nice and hope that the end result is appreciated by those that come and visit our blog and leave such complimentary comments.

Since starting blogging Ive found such a lot of fantastic blogs, some really wonderful creations and some really lovely people, and the most wonderful thing is those people are so generous with their goodies, and today is no exception. I received a parcel from Lisa of http://allissa-designs.blogspot.com/ and oh such lovely things were wrapped up in tissue, I want to thank her so much, and to wish her a speedy recovery, as at the moment shes not at all well.

There is one other Thank You I wish to pass on, its to all my lovely followers and they know I hope who they are, who say such wonderful things in their comments to me, I will try and not bore you with the Halloween cards, and I promise that I will do something different for the next two cards just to take a break from that theme. Mind you Ive still got two more to make so dont be surprise if they dont appear back again at sometime in the near future.

Well my darlings, thank you so very much for your very loyal support, with love and huge hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxxxx

My second Mo Manning Halloween Card

Well this is the second image of Mo Manning's that Im using for the little grandchildren in our family, I hope you wont be to surprised at my posting this as Ive still got at least three more Halloween cards to make but I will try to find something else to post next time as I dont want to bore you to much with these.

This image is so cute with a little head popping up in the centre of all those pumpkins, Ive coloured the image with my copic pens then used the Pumpkin Nestabilitie die to cut it out, because I used the largest die, I had to draw around the outside of the same one to create a mount for it, Ive used some orange card for this then mounted them together with some foam tape. The greeting is again one Ive printed from my computer and mounted this in the same way as the image.

The base card is my usual 8"x 8" white card, and for the first layer Ive used some red card, with yet again the Halloween designs from Donna's Extreme Designs Cd Vol.III, Ive found them extremely useful and so many different designs. This one is a orange pattern with all sorts of things on, pumpkins, cats, teddies and even some little mice. The second layer is a orange and beige patchwork pattern that Ive again used my pumpkin border punch down either side. It was then stuck down the middle of my base card, and on top of this I have layered up a third paper onto red card again and with some black rik rak brad stuck around it, positioned this in the centre of the last layer. Ive then stuck my mounted image in the centre and my greeting below. The final finishes are the star gems, which have to stuck at different places down either side of the base layer, and Ive even used my Sakura stardust pen on the eyes, noses and mouths of some of the little things on the paper.

Another Halloween Card this time with a Mo Manning Digi Stamp

Im struggling to create all the Halloween cards I need for my nine grandchildren, Ive still got about five to do, I just hope that I manage to get them done in time as at the moment what with my swimming (which is leaving me shattered) and so many other jobs that need doing Im rather getting behind with my creating and my blogging, sorry girls if I havent been by for a couple of days.

Anyway heres another Halloween card made this time with one of the lovely Mo Manning Digi stamps, I have decided to use this one and another for the two little grandchildren we have as I felt they were more appropriate for them. Ive printed out the design and coloured it with my copic pens, then used one of my Nestabilitie Label dies to cut it out, after which I have drawn around the edge on a piece of orange card to create a larger one for mounting it on, I used foam tape for this. At the moment I dont have any halloween sentiment stamps so Ive printed out a greeting instead from my computer and mounted this also onto a piece of orange card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, and for the first layer Ive used black card and layered up one of three papers that Ive used again from Donna's Halloween designs, this one is mauve with a lot of sculls, black cats, greetings and bats on, then for the second layer Ive used a black and orange patchwork design and my pumpkin border punch by Martha Stewart along both the edges before sticking it to the base layer. The third layer is yet the same pattern as the first layer but in a orange colour instead, this one has been stuck to a piece of orange card and then Ive stuck a piece of red jute ribbon around it before sticking it to the base card across the centre of the last layer.

After which I have stuck my mounted image in the centre, and my greeting has been stuck to the bottom on the right hand side.

Just Magnolia Challenge - Bev's Sketch

Again I have used my Challenge to create another Halloween card for my grandchildren, this one is for my second eldest grandson, and Im hoping that it will suit his age, hes now 16 and at College, so it needed to be something appropriate.

Ive used another of the Tilda Halloween images, this one is of Edwin with his Trick & Treat bag, Ive then masked him and stamped the spiders web behind him and the mushrooms along the bottom. Then Ive used my copic pens to colour him, and I even used one of the florescent ones for his coat. Ive then cut him out with my rotatrim and mounted him onto a piece of orange card, for a change I used my sewing machine to zigzag around the edge. The sentiment is one I printed of my computer and Ive mounted this in the same was and again used the same sewing stitch around the edge. Both of these were then mounted onto a piece of black card, and around the end Ive used a textured knitting wool in multi colours.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card with a first layer of black card, and again Ive used Donna's Bearly Mind Extreme Cd Vol.III Halloween design papers, the first one has lots of spooks, and cats, bats, hats, stars and leaves all over, this was stuck to the first mount, and on top of this Ive used a second of the papers, this was made up of squares of orange and white with stitching effect around each of the squares. I then used my spidersweb border punch along the bottom and stuck this on top of the base layer, and my mounted image was then stuck with some foam strips across the top of both.

To finish of I found a button which I thought would look good and stuck it to the bottom on the left. Before I forget, I might not be able to post a card for a couple of days as I have some sewing to do for one of my friends, so wish me luck with that, Ive got several pairs of mens trousers to let out and a pair of curtains to take up.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge - Hidden Treasure

Morning Ladies, well today Ive used my challenge card to create another of my Halloween cards for my granddaughters, Im not sure whether she will see the inside surprise as treasure but I think it will definitely be hidden until she opens the card.

Ive used one of Janet's gorgeous Halloween stamps for this one, this one is called Broomstick Milly. Ive stamped her out on white card and coloured her with my copic pens, after which Ive cut her out with the Nestabilite Die Labels 8, and then drawn around the edge of the same die shape for the first layer, its a piece of orange card that Ive put through my cuttlebug, Ive used the spidersweb embossing folder for this one. Then Ive used the larger die and drawn inside the shape onto Gold Mirri Card, and cut it out then mounted the three with some foam tape together.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, and Ive used gold mirri card as my first layer, then Ive used Donna's Halloween papers from her Bearly Mine Extreme Designs Vol.III, Ive actually used 3 different papers for the front cover, the first layer being a yellow one with witches and spiderswebs, the second layer is orange and lots of spiderswebs on, Ive used my spiderweb border punch from Martha Stewart along both edges, this was stuck to the middle of the card on top of the first layer. The third mount is again a piece of the gold mirri card with the third of the papers, this one is a lot easier to see, its got bats, spiderswebs and sculls on. Ive stuck my mounted image on to the right hand side of this layer.

To finish of the front layer Ive made up two flowers with some more halloween papers, moulded them and popped some orange brads through the centres and hung a cat charm from the bottom one. Before sticking them to my card Ive punched out some fern leaves and arranged them in a circle with some silicone glue and then popped the flowers on top. The last thing Ive done is stuck some cat buttons across the bottom.

The inside of the card is simply two piece of Gold Mirri Card with another of the papers from the same cd, and then stuck to the two inside pages, on the second one Ive printed a further piece of the same paper, cut it at an angle to create a pocket, and then punched along the edge with a pumpkin border punch and popped a piece of the gold mirri card behind it to make it stand out.

I then cut out a black and orange spider with my Cricut machine, the orange one being slightly bigger than the black one, after which Ive stuck some googly eyes on it, and popped it in the pocket.

Sorry to that Ive been rather illusive

My first Award was given to me by Polly of http://poppy2splace.blogspot.com/ Im so sorry for taking so long to pass this onto some really lovely and loyal followers so I will now try to put that right,

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

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

Lisa - http://crafty-moments.blogspot.com/

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

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

My second Award was given to me by Lisa of http://crafty-moments.blogspot.com/ so I have two lovely awards to pass on, sorry for not passing this on before but, its been a very busy time for me just lately, but I do want to thank you for the honour of passing it onto me and would like the following ladies to accept it as a very big thank you for your loyal support.

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

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

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

Paula - http://paula-pollys.blogspot.com/

Poppy - http://poppy2splace.blogspot.com/

I hope ladies you will accept them and enjoy them, please forgive me if you visit my blog and find I havent let you know about them as we are of out in about 30 mins and I dont have time at the moment to leave a comment on your blog, please take and accept them with my love and very grateful thanks for your loyalty and friendship, I do so appreciate and treasure it.

I had a lovely email from my friend Janet of Pink Gem Designs last night as she was concerned that I wasnt well, as Ive not posted anything since last weekend, to be absolutely honest, its been a busy week and I havent had time to sit down and create anything, and it doesnt look as though Im going to be able to do so today. I really do need to make time over the weekend as Ive not only got my challenges to meet but Ive got at least 8 Halloween cards to make for my grandchildren. Anyway one of the reasons Ive been so busy is firstly Ive been trying to catch up with all those niggly jobs that you keep putting of, and also I had a hospital appointment to attend this week for medical photos and we spend the day out in Gloucester, so that didnt leave much time for crafting. Another reason was my hubby and I have decided we need to do more exercise, so yesterday we went for our first swimming lesson, now I havent done any swimming for about 12 years so you can image how I felt after 30 mins, Im absolutely shattered, and today we have to go and change some pants that I bought for my hubby as he doesnt like the cut of them.

I think its time I shut up and got a move on, so take care all of you lovely ladies and again thank you so much for bringing such love and joy into my life, it gives me a reason to live, as I really do enjoy creating and posting things on my blog. Take care with love and HUGE HUGS to you all, Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Just Magnolia Challenge - Embossing

Ive created todays card for this weeks Just Magnolia Challenge, Embossing, but Ive also cheated and used it to make a card ready to send to my Granddaughter for Halloween, as Ive got several I think this probably better for the 14 year old.

Ive just the Halloween Tilda stamp and masked her then used the Spiders web stamp and the mushroom one as well. Then Ive coloured her with my copic pens and cut her out with my rotatrim, before mounting her onto some dark red card, Ive inked around the edge with a sepia inkpad, thats why its a bit smudged in places, daft me it has a naughty habit of going everywhere as well. Ive also used some gold pen around the edge of the dark red card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card and the first layer is a piece of black card with one of three papers Ive used from Donna's Bearly Mine Extreme Designs Cd.III this is from the Halloween folder. The first paper is a dark purple with lots of spooky thinks all over it, the second paper is a patchwork one of purple and black though its not easy to see, but Ive used the Graveyard border punch of Martha Stewart on it. The third layer has been put through my cuttlebug and Ive used a Halloween folder for this one and then used the pumpkin border punch on this, this is another of Martha Stewart punches.

The fourth layer is just a piece of orange card, and a third paper of grey patchwork and again spooky images on. Ive also used the pumpkin Nestabilitie diecuts and popped them through another of the halloween embossing folders, then with the same gold pen and because they blended in the the other layers Ive gone around the edges and stuck them along the bottom of my card.

The stamped mounted image has been positioned in the centre and two halloween buttons have then been stuck to the top either side of the mounted image.

A Special Photo for Trudette

I said to Trudette that I would post a photo of my embroidery, its supposed to be Hydrangea Flowers, I do so hope that she likes it, and I hope you do to. I actually did it about 15 years ago, I traced an outline from a design in a book and then stitched it with long and short stitches.

And I have it hanging up over my bed, just hope it doesnt fall of the wall and hit me or my poor hubby. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxx

A Card for two Challenges

Well here we go, we are back to card making again, this card has been created for both the Stampin for the Weekend and the Cute Card Challenges. Ive actually used one of Mo Mannings digi stamps, this one is called Keisha, isnt she gorgeous?

Ive printed her out from my computer and coloured her with my copic pens, after which I have cut her out with one of my circle dies, and used a scalloped one for the mount with a piece of pink pearlescent card. The sentiment was created with one of my stamps and again cut out and mounted onto pink card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card and using the sketch from the Stampin for the Weekend Challenge and the colours from the Cute Card Challenge, Ive started with a green base and a patterned paper, and these were created from Donna's new Bearly Mine Extreme Cd Vol.III. Ive then used two more pieces of mount and another patterned paper, and for the third mount a pink one Ive used a pink paper. For the other two mounts Ive run them through my cuttlebug with two of the brand new embossing Daisy folders. These were layered up according to the sketch. And around the card at the bottom, I have put a ribbon, and onto this Ive stuck three crochet flowers with pearls in the centres. The other flower is a larger crochet one with a smaller one in the centre, and these were attached together with a pearl brad.

I did notice I had rather but one of the mounts at a slight querky angle, and to try and disguise it I have cut some flourishes out and stuck them to the card, with some pink and green pearls placed in the swirls, hope it doesnt spoil your enjoyment of it to much.

Hi Everyone Im Back

Ive just received this photo from my friend Jo, and its of my hubby and I in her garden on Tuesday, as you can see the weather was fantastic and it was so nice to meet Jo and her hubby for the very first time, they are the most lovely of people and so are her parents, they made us feel so welcome, just thought you might like to see this photo as well.

I hope you will enjoy the next couple of photos as they are so lovely I thought I would share them with you. This photo is of the lake which we walked around at a fantastic house we visited where they have a folk museum in the out houses, I love this photo its so calming, though we did have to have to turn around to find the way out of the gardens as it was only by mistake that we found it. There were of course loads of ducks and birds on the lake.

This photo was taken of a most gorgeous little chapel we were taken to visit its been covered in bits of broken plate and china, its so colourful, its a chapel that must have originally served the monks that were in the monstery behind, but I believe that they have now gone, the locals have kept the chapel and have done lots of repairs to it, and you can see where other countries have also been to put their mark on it as well.

I wont be posting any cards for a few days as Im still trying to catch myself up, I suspect youve all experienced that after being away for a few days. We had a fabulous time and in fact the weather for the first two days was extremely hot, but Guernsey is a fabulous place to visit and I met my very dear friend and her hubby and her lovely family and we all got on so well that it was a complete success and a brilliant holiday, Im now looking forward to hopefully returning in the not to distant future.

So I hope you will forgive me for slipping a bit, but weve also got a few jobs to attend to around the house and garden, and have in fact chopped down a laburnam and lilac this morning. So I should be back hopefully with my next card in a couple of days. Take care with love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Just Magnolia Challenge Card

Ive been rushing around today to try and get this card finished for the Challenge as Ive still got to pack our cases ready for our flight tomorrow. I hope it doesnt show to much my rushing to get it finished. Anyway Ive used the image of Tilda on a horse, and coloured it with my Copic pens, then inked around the edge with a red inkpad. After which Ive cut her out with one of the Rectangle Nestabilitie dies and used a Scalloped one for the mount, I then stuck them together with a bit of foam tape. Ive dont the same with the greeting.

The card was created using this weeks sketch by Mina, and Ive taken a few poetic licences with it, and changed the size in places as Ive used the larger image instead of a smaller one. The base card is a 8"x 8" white card onto which I have layered up a piece of red card and the first of four different patterned papers from one of the Nitwit Downloads, the second layer is a piece of lime green card which has been stuck down the centre of the base layer but with a piece of a different paper and some ribbon that was attached to the back of it. The third layer is another piece of the red card, and yet a third paper was stuck to this, and positioned across the middle.

I then stuck my stamped mounted image to the left hand side of this, and the sentiment below it on the left with some foam tape, to give them both a bit of a lift. I then created three flowers with my retro flower punches moulded them with my ball tool and with some punched out leaves Ive stuck them to the other side of the stamped image on the centre layer with some silicone glue. To finish of Ive stuck some red pearls down the edge by the top on the left and some at the bottom on the right.

I must apologise to Lisa and Poppy for not passing on the two lovely awards theyve given me this week, but unfortunately Ive not managed to get around to doing so, but will do it as soon as I can when I get back from my few days away, I hope you both with forgive me, and thank you again for awarding them to me in the first place. I also want to say that I will be thinking of you all working away at your blogs and hopefully will catch up with you next weekend when I can. So take care with love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxx

Stampin for the Weekend Challenge - Pink, Teal and Orange

This weeks challenge is to create a card using the following colours Pink, Teal and Orange, a bit of a strange combination but it seems to work very well. Because I will be away for a few days next week its been a bit of a struggle to get things done before we go on Monday, so I rather cheated and used a image that had been given to me in a RAK, its a gorgeous little girl with a spotted dress and smashing hat, I coloured her with my copic pens then layered her up on a piece of Teal coloured pearlescent card, I did a similar thing with the sentiment, its one of my stash stamps that Ive used for this, and mounted it up in the same way as the image.

Now for a change Ive made a 6"x 6" card, I do find I have a lot less room to move around of this size card and this is the reason I rarely use it. Anyway for my first layer Ive used the same coloured pearlescent card, with one of three designs from Donna's new Extreme Design Vol.III cd, and used another for the second layer and with some orange card and a third one with some pink card, these were arranged on the base layer, and then I stuck my image in the centre, the sentiment was stuck with a bit of foam tape to the right handside at the bottom.

To finish of Ive created two flowers with my hydrangea petals, with a few punched out leaves behind and some left over teal coloured pearls in the opposite corners.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge - Back to School

Todays card has been created for this weeks Cute Card Challenge - Back to School, and for this I have used one of the Tilda images masked with a pile of books behind her and coloured her with my copic pens. Afterwards with the new Labels Eight Nestabilitie die I cut her out and then draw around the same die to create a mount from blue pearlescent card for her to be mounted on but before doing so Ive used a blue chalk inkpad around the edge, I aso stamped the greeting and have done the same with this also.

For my base card Ive used the usual 8"x 8" white card and for the first layer Ive used a piece of same coloured pearlescent card and one of five patterned papers from the Look and Learn set of Nitwit Downloades. On top of this I have put a scalloped circle cut with my nestabilite die and the second of the papers, the third layer is a pink pearlescent card with a red spotted paper, Ive then stuck my mounted image on top in the centre with some foam tape.

I felt that it needed a little something so I punched some of the flourishes from yet another of the papers and stuck then down the right handside on the red spotted paper. I then created two flowers with my retro punches, layering up two blue spotted ones and one red and a yellow one, then put the pearl brad with a spacer through the centre, I did the same with the other flower but attached a couple of charms from this one, one is a ruler and the other a little girl. Before sticking them to my card Ive punched out some fern leaves and arranged them in some silicone glue before sticking my flowers on top.

A New Home Card

I have some really wonderful post people who really go out of their way for me, and one of them Lorraine is due to move into her very first home this coming Friday, so I thought that I would create a card for her.

Ive actually used a stamp by Create-It, not sure where they are made, I think I actually bought this one on Ebay. Anyway I stamped it out onto white card and coloured it with my copic pens, after which I cut it out with my rotatrim and mounted it onto a piece of Holographic card.

The base card is a small one for me its 6"x 6", and for my first layer Ive used a bit more of the same holographic card, and a paper I found on one of the Crafters Companion Cds, this one has little houses all over it and it looked very similar to the house Id stamped and felt it was just right for my card. I also used the same design for my insert and just popped a message onto it before printing it out and cutting it ready to put inside my card.

I stuck the patterned paper on the first layer, after which I found a strip of Hession ribbon and stuck it around the middle of my card, and then mounted my stamped mounted image on top in the middle with some foam tape. The last thing I did was stick two heart buttons on the bottom right hand side.

I have received a really lovely Award from Poppy

I dont know what to say really, Im really surprised at receiving the most gorgeous award today from Poppy of http://poppy2splace.blogspot.com/, its a real fun award, and the conditions of accepting it is again to give away five things you probably dont know about me, and to pass it onto five lovely people.

So here we go, I will have to try and find some new things for you to know about me, the first thing is I remarried in 2000 to a really lovely man, after spending 20 odd years raising my three daughters then my eldest grandson. The second thing is we are of to Guernsey next week for a few days to meet a lovely friend who I made on Ebay many years ago for the first time, and to celebrate our 9th Wedding Anniversary, guess what its on the 9th. Thirdly my mum was the person who got me into crafting at a very young age, she taught me how to knit at the age of 7 due to my having some health problems she thought it was a good idea to keep me occupied. The fourth thing is although I have three daughters of my own I also have two step daughters with my husband, and the biggest secret is they are not just my step daughters they are my nieces, as I married my exbrother in law. The last thing is that luckily we are all one big happy family and I think of my new granddaughters as not only being step granddaughters but also being my great nieces and they are definately much closer than the usual as they are already my family. I should have also said that my grandchildren call him Gromps, so theres no confusion as they havent seen their actual grandfather ever, and its just nice for them to have any sort of grandfather. And my mum actually gets to know more family goings on that usual.

Anyway I hope I havent shocked you to much with my revelations and now Id like to pass it onto five people with my love and hope that they also enjoy receiving it

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

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

Christina - http://christina-tew.blogspot.com/
Lisa -http://crafty-moments.blogspot.com/

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

The last especially as she always makes me smile with her adventures, well girls I hope you enjoy this award, with love and huge hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxx

Shirley's Bank Holiday Monday

Well I do so hope that most of you enjoyed your bank holiday, and that the weather was kinder to you, unfortunately Gloucester wasnt the best place to be for hot weekend, the rain constantly showered and was also windy, but then I didnt go out on Sunday or Monday anyway, I decided as I was on my own, (hubby had gone to visit his two daughters and granddaughters and they needed some DIY jobs done) I would try and catch up with a few jobs around the house as I stated yesterday, but in the after noon, I then decided Id have a go at my floral punch craft again.

I punched out twenty balloon shapes in each of the three colours Ive used, and then with my moulding tool shaped them and with a circle of green paper, underneath I built up in several layers with the shaped petals that create the rose, the centre is done a bit differently but its then stuck in the centre to create the tight bud centre of a real rose, hope you like what Ive created. Ive now got to decide where and when Im going to use them.

I also dug out my cricut machine over the weekend, and cut out some of the new Spongebob Squarepants designs, with the new cartridge thats not long been released. I have several grandchildren that like this character and his mates, and thought they might like to use them on their bedroom door at their mums, anyway Ive popped them into the post so hopefully they will like them when they receive them in the next couple of days.

I thought youd like to know that today we are experiencing extremely heavy downfalls of rain, thunder and even hailstones, I do so hope this doesnt last to long as its rather a pain in the you know what, as I was hoping to pop out to the shops, oh well theres always tomorrow I suppose.

With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxx