Laura's Sketch #7

This card is for My Father in Law's birthday on the 7th September. The lucky so and so is flying off to Mauritius on Friday so I am popping it in the post to him tomorrow.

I used Monday's sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You. Both Laura & Kazan design some great sketches and they get well over 100 people taking part every week. I've not seen any other sketch site that gets as many as that so they are obviously very well regarded by the crafty community. I am just ovwerwhelmed by how many great cards are uploaded, they are very inspirational. I'm a bit late this week so won't be added to the list, serves me right for my tardyness.

The card is a textured one from Papermill, love filling those boxes. When I first started making cards I went to the Liverpool one on the train a couple of times. I managed to get the train tickets so cheap it was worth the travel and I have still got loads of the card left.

The papers are from Dovecrafts Masculine pack, HOTP cardmakers Earth tones and the speckled one is from the recent Making Cards for Men special edition as is the sentiment. The golf embellishment is from LMC and the ric rac was from Ebay some time ago.

As he is a very keen golfer I am sure he will love this but I bet he likes his holiday better !

That's me finally finished!

This week has been so awful. You know you are going but you don't know when...... I was officially told at 11am but had to wait a couple of hours to fill the paperwork in as they had sent it by DHL and it was late, typical carriers !

I'm glad it is all over with now as it has been a horrible few days. Paul has been told his services will be required for a bit longer so at least we will have his wage for a while longer. Again they don't know how long but it won't be as long as a month.

In the meantime some of the agency contacts I have are circulating my CV so I am hoping something will come of that and I guess I'm signing on Monday morning.

I am hoping better things will come of it but it was awful to say goodbye to so many people that have become such a big part of your life.

Going up the pub now to celebrate so will probably be a bit pickled later :)

Martha Stewart Doily Punch

One of the very talented ladies who makes cards using the 2 Sketches 4 You sketches is Dawny P. Whilst looking at samples made for the relevant sketch I happened upon this card and thought the border punch was lovely.

I asked Dawn where I could get one and she sent me a lovely email with some links. I was fortunate to get one from a USA seller on Ebay but was really worried as I'd asked for it to be despatched to my work address and of course they have gone bump. It had been despatched on the 21st so there was nothing the seller could do to intercept it or change the address or anything.

So, imagine my surprise when I got home from work and it was poking through my letterbox. I was amazed it was still there to be honest as we live on a main road and I would have thought it would have been stolen. I have never been so happy to have an item sent to the wrong address !

I have had a little play with it tonight and it punches beautifully. I can't wait to use it properly.

Thank you Dawny P

Definitely Lost Our Jobs :(

Well, we have been told we have not had a buyer and have definitely lost our jobs

They are keeping staff on to clear everything down. Some people have been formally told they are redundant today and finished straight away, others are being kept on to cover a specific job. In my case there are parcels in the network that are to be delivered. Business Post have taken all the ones at the hub so far, we have about 10 trailers of freight to be collected from London tomorrow and there are various bits at the depots to be brought in. I think once all the drivers have gone that will probably mean I will be going too.

Paul is very involved in the reporting processes for accounts etc so he thinks he might be working for the next couple of weeks. We have been told we have all been paid up to the end of the month anyway so won't get paid any more unless it is worked beyond the end of the week. Redundancy money will have to be claimed back from the government.

I have got a really good reference from my immediate boss and will be getting another from the Head of Transport.

It has been a really weird atmosphere today so I'll be glad when it's all over. There are a lot of very bitter people at our place and I can't blame them but all the same it's not nice to be around.

I had a phone call from one of the agencies as they had seen my CV on Monster so that's good news. I said I will call them as soon as I know for definite I am released.

Ingrid's Bonus Sketch

Another birthday card and this time I used Ingrid's bonus sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You.

It'e our neighbours lad Dale's Birthday tomorrow and he is 17.

I used hammered card as the base and a slightly textured glimmer paper for the dark blue square. The circle paper is from a huge Rob & Bob pack that I had from QVC some time ago. There are some really funky papers in it and this is a piece that I had left from another project some time ago.

The striped paper is a magazine freebie one. I have a huge amount of these as I am determined to start using some of the better quality ones.

The cupcake is a chipboard one from a Colorbok pack from QVC. I added stickles to the frosted top and candle. I used Tulip paint to add little dots to the outside edge. This is mounted on the dark blue paper and then a Kanban die cut frame. The gifts are from LMC packs and the sentiment is recycled from a birthday card.

Kazan's Sketch #7 - Engagement card

It IS now looking very likely that both Paul and I will lose our jobs (see my last post) One of the senior managers is on Facebook and there are a lot of people from our company desperate to know what is happening. He has basically indicated that we will all be redundant and will have to claim redundancy from the Government. As we are a next day carrier and all freight was either parked up or not collected at all on Friday nothing will be delivered and the result will be that our customer's will go elsewhere. He has also confirmed there are no buyers for us soit seems like it is a done deal and over 900 people will be confirmed jobless on Tuesday. I have already updated my CV but need to find out who will give me a job reference from my company.

Anyhoo, amidst all the doom & gloom lately a wonderful thing has happened.

Paul's sister Jill went on holiday with her boyfriend Steve and whilst they were away he propsed to her - in the sea!

We are so absolutely delighted for them both and they are coming over tomorrow so I thought I'd better make a card quick.

I used Kazan's sketch #7 over on 2 Sketches 4 You and this is the result. Apologies for the bad scan. There is a lot of metallic and it hasn't shown the layers very well and I couldn't get a nice photo of it at all.

The black card was edged in a metallic gold pen. The patterned paper is a touchy feely flocked wrapping paper from Paperchase which I punched small hearts into the handcut scalloped edge. The main embellishment is Papermania metal shapes layered on black, gold and patterned paper. The sentiment is from my stash.

The base card is a textured cardstock from the Papermill. It looked a little stark so I ran a fairly dry inkpad around the edges and distressed it a bit. I'm not sure that I like it, I don't seem to have the subtle touch and think I tend to overdo it but it's too late now!

I am sure they will like it and I'm probably being overly critical. Probably indicative of the slighly narky mood I am in at the moment.

Roll on Tuesday..........lmost wish it wasn't a bank holiday tomorrow.

Might be losing my job :(

Paul and I work for the same parcel delivery company and just as we were leaving work yesterday we were told the company has gone into administration!

It is a huge shock as nobody saw it coming. The whole parcel sector is not as busy as it had been but we there was no warning that we were as bad as that ! When we went bust in January last year there was a long lead up to it and we knew the company was in financial difficulties for a long time before it finally went under, but this time it was truly sudden.

We have been told to go into work as normal on Tuesday and we will have to go from there.

In the meantime I have updated my CV in preparation for things to come. I love working for the company and truly hope that I will still be able to for some time to come.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me :)

Di Hickman August #2

I have a lot of family birthdays coming up so rather unlike me I am trying to get ahead of myself and not leave them to the last minute.

I was going through some bits and found the spotty border which is a funky foam one I have had for ages. When I saw the latest Di Hickman sketch I thought of this and immediately knew it would make a good design for a card for the little girl next door. She is a proper girly girl and likes anything pink.

The main pink paper and floral paper are from a Inspire Me pack I won from a draw on their website. The central panel is from a Dovecrafts Retro Floral pack, the sentiment is from my stash. The princess word is from recycled plastic packaging and the likkle girl is from a kids hair scrunchie. For definition I have used ink edging, loads of sakura clear glitter pen and layered using 3D foam.

Well that's one down and about 10 more to go !

Christening Bookatrix

I had been commissioned to make a card by a work colleague for a baby's Christening. I presented a number of different design options and the one she chose was a bookatrix design.



The patterned paper is a freebie one from a magazine. The mini bible I made myself from chipboard covered with pearlescent paper, thin card pages and ribbon. The cross is a peel off. The ribbon is from my stash and the likkle baby is wearing a ribbon nappy.


The box is edged in the same blue ribbon. The frame is from a sticker pack from Poundland. This is laid over a piece of card 2which has been run through a Cuttlebug embossing folder. The chipboard sentiment is from a DCWV baby chiboard sticker pack and the sentiment is a Kanban kit ftom QVC.

Laura's Sketch #6

I needed to make a New Home card for my friend who has just moved in on Thursday and I used Laura's latest sketch over on 2 Sketches 4 You.

I used Doodlebug paper for the background along with some Cuttlebugged swiss dots card which I ran an inkpad over. The leather effect ribbon is from Docrafts, the sentiment a QVC kit and the house is a Doodlebug designs Sizzix die cut with a brad for a door knob.

The top section is layers of handmade paper and 7 Gypsies paper from a Zanzibar pad (1st time I have used it!) the little houses are cut out using a punch I bought ages ago from Art of Craft.

The new home sentiment is metallic and hasn't scanned very well unfortunately :(

Valita's Birthday Cupcake

It's our friend Scott's birthday today and this is the card I have made for him using a template which was made by the very talented Valita Reynolds.

The base card is cut in the shape of a muffin or cupcake with the fold at the top. A layer of irridescent vellum was placed on top which has been run through a Cuttlebug folder to look like the creases on the paper case.

Layers of handmade paper are then cut out in the shapes and have been embossed again by different Cuttlebug folders. These shapes were then stuck to cardstock to give them extra stability and mounted using 3D foam. All embossing has been highlighted with glitter, ink, metallic chalks and Sakura glitter pen. the edges of the shapes have been inked with an old almost dry ink pad.

The cherry was cut from just plain card and a layers of Ranger's Crystal Effects was applied and left overnight to dry, it looks REALLY glossy.

The ribbon is a self adhesive Docrafts one, the tag is Craftworks Cards and the chipboard candle is from a LMC pack.

I am really pleased with this card, it is very dimensional and textured and I am certain will have the wow factor.

We are going to Scott's party later, he is having a Curryoke - curry and karioke so if it rains later in the Kidderminster area it will be all our fault ! SORRY FOLKS.....

CPS Sketch #75

Was going to post this last night but could not get onto Blogger to save my life!

I used CPS Sketch #75 to make this card which is made almost entirely from recycled items and scraps. The backing paper is recycled from an old greetings card, as is the main element. The purple border is a scrap which I ran through my Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder. The ribbon is Papermania and the sentiment is from my stash.

I have a lot of bits cut from cards which have been donated from friends and family and I like to re-use these items if possible, both to help the environment and also there are some really nice things on them that can be used in a different way. That = free stash !! Leaves me money to spend on Cuttlebug folders!!

Friday Sketchers # 13

I have recently come across a sketch site called Friday Sketchers and I am not sure if you are only supposed to use rubber stamps but anyway this is the card I have made for this sketch.

I have used an image which has been recycled from an old greeting card, matted on white and mounted on 3d foam.

The patterned paper is from a handmade bag from Readicut. I pulled it out of the bag and it was a mottled pink colour, when I turned it over it was pink roses, how blooming perfect was that?

The gems are from Paperchase and the love lettering is rub ons from Papermania.

Quite a simple card but nice crisp colouring.

Di Hickman Sketch August #1

I needed to make a RAK card for a forum buddy who is having a rough time of it at the moment and decided to use the latest Di Hickman sketch for it.

The sketch was designed to use the card closures that we all have but have never used (i know I've never used mine!)

The dimensions haven't worked out as well as I had hoped as I started off with an A5 piece of card and I hoped it would be a bit wider when finished, HEY HO !

The patterned paper is from the Papermania Amethyst floral pad. It has a border along one edge which I cut out and used as the bottom of the card. The right hand side is the same piece of paper - 1st time I have used that and I was quite please with the result. I added a liberal sprinkling of Sakura stardust pen to embellish the flower centres.

The card enclosures are chipboard from a Brenda Pinnick QVC TSV kit which I have used so much and still have tons left. I have used eyelets to attach them and have used my Cropodile Big Bite for the first time and absolutely love it. It makes punching holes and setting eyelets soooooo easy it is ridiculous, AND NO NOISE !!!!!! Paul will be really pleased about that as I have been known in the past to scare him half to death with my banging.

I will have a go at this style again but will make it a bigger card so I have more space to play with. I am really pleased with the finished result of this card though.

Kazan Sketch #6

One of my forum buddies has just moved into a new home and I wanted to make a card to welcome her.

I used Kazan's new 2 Sketches for you sketch to base the design around.

The papers are from Dovecraft Masculine pack and the new home one is Doodlebug. The sentiment was from QVC ages ago as was the chipboard house 30 12x12 chipboard sheets for £15 ish Bargain !!!

The fence is a 3d fabric embellishment from home bargains and the pretty glittered butterflies are from my stash. There is a liberal amount of inked edges provided by my ever faithful tim Holtz distressing pad.

Love this card as it is so tactile.

Grandad's Birthday

It's Paul's Grandad's Birthday tomorrow and this is the card I have made for it.

He loves watching his sport on TV and I used the Dovecraft Masculine paper pack as the main inspiration.

I used an older sketch from Tamara as a base for the design.

The main backing paper is HOTP from a floral creative pack I had as a QVC TSV.

I used borders of football and crixket balls to frame the design and cut out elements from one of the papers for the centre. I decoupaged the football and cricket bat from another sheet.

The sentiment in the middle is recycled from a shop bought card.

I think the recent blog hopping has influenced me again as I would not normally make a card that is 'wonky'. everything would normally be very neat and square and I think I am learning that it's okay to put something at an angle and 'live a little'. It's great to see so many other designs and I really think I will learn from them.

Just got to get him a present today now. What on earth do you get for an 88 year old Grandad ?

2 Sketches 4 You - Laura # 5

I have been on holiday this week and have had a lot more time to blog hop and stumbled across a fairly new sketch site at 2 Sketches 4 You

This is my interpretation of the most recent sketch - Laura#5. I used a rubber stamp from Paper Artsy with Tim Holtz ink pad, some lace and ribbon and the patterned paper is wallpaper. I decided to cut the cream panel down as I wanted more of the background paper to show as it is so nice. It is such a shame that the scanner doesn't pick up the slight metallic sheen this paper has. It's far too nice to be wallpaper!

This card also doubles up as entry to a challenge at Just Bex to use lace on a project.

I am really pleased with how this card turned out. It is totally not my normal style and I think my recent blog hopping has encouraged me to try something new.