Leaving to Have a Baby Scrapbook

I have been Commissioned by my work colleagues to make a card for one of the girls who is leaving to have a baby and decided I was going to do something a bit different.

I have ended up making a scrapbook style book where there are plenty of spaces left to write messages inside.

I used one of those little scrapbooks from Poundland as the basis for my book and embellished it using paper, stickers, ribbons and rub-on sentiments.

I have created a slideshow to show all the pages of the book.

Another Just Bex challenge

A very good friend of ours has just left where we work to make a huge lifestyle change, part of which is to spend more time sailing which is one of his passions.

This card was made to tie in with the tearing challenge on Just Bex.

I used a Sizzix die to cut out the boat and embellished with DCWV paper for the sail. The anchor, sunshine and sentiment are from Let's Make Cards stash.

The 'waves' were formed from papers torn on a Fiskars edge tearer, a free gift from subscribing to a magazine years ago and never before used !

The patterned paper is from a Papermania inspirations pack, and the other papers are vellum from Paperchase who do big sheets of vellum wrapping paper and I bought loads of colours from them.

The likkle man is Sizzix bity shapes which I bought from Ebay some time ago. I don't use them very often and as there are so many dies you would need to buy I felt this was the most economical way of buying them.

6th Wedding Anniversary

Friday was our 6th Wedding Anniversary.

Basically I was dreading turning 30 and we were going on holiday to America, one of those 3 centre holidays New York, Las Vegas & Los Angeles. It had been booked for ages and 6 weeks before we were due to go he announces that we are getting married in Vegas on my 30th Birthday.

After picking up jaw from floor my task was to get it booked and it was to cost less that getting married at the Stratosphere hotel where we were staying.



All told our wedding cost £500, photos, outfits, ceremony etc all in and it was the most wonderful and romantic day and passed without a hitch.

This is the card I made to celebrate our anniversary which tied in with a challenge on the Just Bex forum. I love it when I can do a 2 in 1 card !

I made it as a 3 layer card so the hearts were cut like windows getting ever smaller.

Layer one at the top the stamped image is a Penny Black from a forum swap.


The hearts were cut using a Fiskars template. The top layer is a vellum paper that I bought at the NEC. The other gems were used to hold the paper down at the corners and hid a bit of adhesive.

The second layer is a card insert with another heart cut out and the sentiments are DCWV rub ons.

The third layer is the inside of the insert with another rub-on and the domed sticker is Papermania to add texture and make it really stand out.

Happy Birthday to Me

Have just celebrated my 36th birthday and been having a wonderful weekend.

Have had some smashing pressies and some wonderful cards and feel very, very lucky indeed. My husbad has arranged for me to have a makeover session with a photo shoot which I am really excited about and my bits are on the way to have a computer upgrade.

Celebrations have lasted all weekend and I feel like I have a neverending birthday.

I am a very lucky lady :)

Di Hickman Sketch September # 2

Needed to make a birthday card for the 10 year old girl next door so used Di Hickman's September # 2 sketch as inspiration and it also ties in nicely with a older Just Bex challenge.

The backing paper and brown flower paper is HOTP from the most recent QVC TSV cardmakers pack. The other 2 papers are Making Memories Cosmopolitan. The ribbon is Papermania layered on some metallic paper from the HOTP kit. The flowers are Sizzix die cut at the top and Prima'a at the bottom. Gems are from Poundland and the sentiment is a rub-on from Lets Make Cards

Just Bex Challenge Trimming the Tree 5

This card is a mixture of the old and the new.

The sentiment and the image are from old Christmas cards. The backing paper is from DCWV and the embossed snowflakes are a sizzlits embosslits die which cuts and impresses at the same time. These are highlighted with a little silver ink to make the pattern a bit more defined.

When I was off work with my back I plonked myself in front of the TV and cut loads of shapes and embossed loads of Cuttlebug folders ready for Chrismas cards si it was nice to have them to hand.

Just Bex Challenge Trimming the Tree 4

This card uses my favourite Cuttlebug embossing folder, the snowflakes are bootiful, and highlighted with a little ink they stand out that little bit more.

The backing paper is DCVW. The tree is a decoupage made from 2 of the same images from recycled Christmas cards. This is mounted on corrugated cardboard for added texture.

The ribbon is the printed flocked stuff that Papermania brought out last Christmas that I hadn't used yet and the sentiment is one from my old stash and I know I got it from the NEC but have no idea who from !

Just Bex Challenge Trimming the Tree 3

This is a less is more card, something very unusual for me ! I don't tend to do classy and sophisticated and great admire people who do it so effortlessly.

There is a lot of blank space that is just screaming for something to be stuck on it !

This card is a mini DL size with a Magic Motif Tree, green embossing powder and gold 3D paint for the baubles.

The sentiment is a Letraset rub-on

Just Bex Challenge Trimming the Tree 2

Card 2 uses a Dovecraft backing paper overlaid with a Craftwork cards printed vellum.

The tree is a 3D embellishment recycled from an old Christmas card.

I am lucky that I work with some great people who give me their cards after the event and I get some great bits and pieces to use on my cards.

I like to do my bit for the environment where I can, and free crafty stuff can't be too bad either :)

Just Bex Challenge Trimming the Tree 1

This challenge was to make 5 christmas cards, but they all had to have a tree on them.

Card 1 uses DCWV backing paper, the sentiment is from an old Christmas card and it is embellished with brads from the Lakeland January sale

These are the first Christmas cards I have made. usually I am starting making them at the end of November so this is all a bit strange for me !

A Double Challenge Card

This card fulfils a challenge from Just Bex and also Di Hickman. The layout is Di's and Bex's was to use Spots, Stripes and Waves

The background paper and card are from a freebie with Crafts Beautiful magazine. The flowers are Prima's, the brads are HOTP and the chipboard shape was from Poundland. The rub on sentiment is a Rotal & Langnickel one that was a bugger to release off the backing sheet.

Just Bex Challenge O's & X's

Been catching up with challenges on Just Bex. This one was to make a card using a template as a guide with a O's & X's background.

The background was made from 2 DCWV Peeking posies papers with silver tape over the joins. The stamped butterfly is one that I bought from Stamping Caz when she was having a shop clear out. This was layered on holographic card which was from a paper hanky box. The card is embellished with gems from Paperchase.

I'm loving doing these challenges :)

Happy Birthday Phil

2nd Aston Villa card made for a very good friend's birthday in a couple of days. Happier with this 2nd attempt as I have tweaked the template and the shape is a lot crisper. I used the same chipboard letters as last time but I'd run out of some of the white letters and had to paint some of the other ones white. I also trimmed them down so they look more like the font the sponsors use. I also added a label at inside of the neckline and a Nike Swoosh. I suppose I should have a go at the Birmingham City strip to keep the other Brummie team happy !

16th Birthday Commission

I was commissioned to make a girly card for a 16 year old and I had to include her photo in it - this is what I came up with.

I used DCWV Peeking Posies cardstock for the main background and cut the 16 from chipboard. I made a template from the Arial font at 500 for a finished A5 size card and covered the chipboard with HOTP paper from the Garnet Cardmakers pad.

I used alphabet beads for the name on the '1' and secured with wire through the flower and shape.

I used the most Prima flowers ever in one card, 40 in total and secured them with brads through the shapes. These are on 3d foam to raise them. The paper was embellished with some tiny Papermania gems and a birthday sentiment.

This also ties in nicely with one of the older challenges on Just Bex which I am planning to work my way through !

I've Been Tagged

I've been tagged by Leigh



1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Butch Punto

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Lemon Meringue Oatmeal-Raisin

3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) ACRU

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Pink Pig

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Jane Leeds

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Amaja

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put "The") Black Coffee

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Gerald Cliff

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) Paris Chocolate

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names ) None Stuart

Everyone seems to have been tagged lately so I am not going to nominate anyone.

Well chilled out and relaxed

Yesterday my MIL and I went to Eden Day Spa at Hoar Cross Hall. My hubby had given me £100 of vouchers for my birthday last year and they were about to run out.

I had a lovely massage using lovely Thalgo oils. It was very relaxing and I almost fell asleep ! I previously was never the kind of person who was interested in being messed about with, going to the hairdressers was torture enough so the thought of a massage was not appealing in the least. This was until I had a massage in Gran Canaria last year and I was a changed person forever.

The one thing I have always wanted to do is go in a flotation tank. The thought of being in a totally dark enclosed space and floating with relaxing music is something that I have wanted to do ever since I saw it on one of those spa programmes on satellite TV years ago. OH had found out that Hoar Cross Hall did it and that is the reason why he gave me the vouchers. I couldn't book it until I got there so there was SOME doubt that I would not be able to do it, but I am glad to say that I was able to. It was the most wonderful experience and I just totally switched off while I was in there.

The food was fantastic, it was like being in a 5 star restaurant and the facilities throughout the whole spa were wonderful. If anyone gets an opportunity to go it is well worth it.

OH got me a Tom Tom as I am not good going to new places, but that made it so much easier and getting there and back was a breeze. It made me a lot more relaxed knowing I hadn't got to keep referring to maps and when I got back home I was really chilled out and still grinning like a cheshire cat.

The deal from Paul was I had to be able to drive myself to the Spa and as I kept failing my driving test and time was knocking on I was getting more and more doubtful that I would be able to do it. My confidence is growing all the time as I expand my abilities and I feel so much more positive about myself and how far I have come.

Today I feel like a new person and cannot tell you how good that feels.

Aston Villa Shirt

This card has been made for Paul's uncle who is a huge Aston Villa fan.

It is hinged at the top of the neck so it can stand up.

I used claret card to cut the shirt shape and layered with the blue arms and the stripes and neckline in the colours of the club shirt. I printed a small emblem on photo paper and used chipboard letters to add the club sponsor and name on the back of the shirt.

It is not an exact copy of the shirt as the font isn't right, some of the sponsor info is missing and I missed off the Nike 'swoosh' but it is a pretty good facsimile of the real thing.

When I showed it to Paul he just said WOW. I have never had such a strong reaction from him so know I have done well. As I know many Villa fans I am sure I will be making more of these and improving on the design.

Sam's 30th

It's Sam who we work with's 30th birthday and I was asked to make a large card that everyone could sign as they had done a collection.

This card WAS going to be about 8" square but the size of the chipboard letters dictated that it was going to be a finished A4 size. I am fortunate that there is a small art shop in Birmingham and they had 300gsm A3 card in white and black so I bought a pack of each as I usually get asked to make A4 size photo collage cards when someone leaves. My hubby Paul is generally known as the unofficial company photographer at work's functions and over the years we have built up quite a collection of staff members both past and present.

The card was covered in DCWV Peeking Posies, the chipboard letters are from THAT QVC scrapbooking kit. The '3' is formed from Primas decorated with Paperchase stones. The '0' is glitter cardstock cut with a Sizzix die, backed with 2 sizes of Flowerz and held together with a HOTP big brad and rub on.

The candle is from Asda, the present sticker is Papercellar and the cake was from Home Bargains.

There are about 30 of us all going to Leicester for the weekend later today. We are going out for a meal and will go out nightclubbing so it should be a good night !

Happy Birthday Donna

September is a very busy month for me birthday wise with all 3 kids next door's birthday's within 5 weeks spanning end of August to end of September. This is the card I made for Donna who is a funky 22 year old.

The backing paper is from an issue of Let's Make Cards. The 'D' was made from printing out a font at 450 points, placing template onto chipboard (back of a writing pad to you and me) and then sticking this to DCWV Peeking posies paper. I then coated with 2 layers of UTEE and sprinkled with glamour dust. The ribbons on the shape are also DCWV.

The complete circle on the backing paper I highlighted the edge with a fineliner and used a Papermania epoxy sticker to embellish. The Prima's are one of my newest purchases which are textured from Craft Obsessions and the pink gems are from Paperchase.

In hindsight I think it would have looked better if I had only used 2 ribbons as you can't really see the shape at the top and bottom, but overall I am very pleased with it.

1 card down, loads and loads to go........

Normal Service has resumed

I have had to pretty much stop doing anything recreational over the last few weeks as I have been studying for a Certification of Professional Competence in Road Transport & Haulage 'affectionately' known in the trade as a CPC.

I have been on a 2 week course and today I have taken my exams - 3 papers in all. As well as doing the classroom based course I have had to do a tremendous amount of studying each night and the whole weekend. I only hope that this has all paid off and I pass they exam.

Unfortunately I won't get the results for about 8 weeks so tonight I'm going to the pub to celebrate and leaving the car at home ;)

This all means I now should have a lot more free time for cardmaking and it's a good job too as September is a very busy month for me as there is a lot of birthdays and anniversaries (including mine)

Happy Birthday Dale

Tomorrow it's the lad next door's 16th birthday and I woke up this morning and immediately had inspiration for how his card should be ! Usually I would be racking my brain, especially with men's cards which are so difficult to do.

This card was made using layers of paper from the Dovecraft Black & White paper pack. The birthday is epoxy stickers from 'The Works'. The words have been die cut using a Cuttlebug alphabet Red Tag Sale and the cake is from the most recent Let's Make Cards. (I have to confess this is the very 1st item I have used from these packs and I have been subscribing since issue 2) I embellished the paper with some self adhesive gems from the pound shop.

I really am pleased with how this card came out as i do find masculine ones quite hard to do.

Nice Matters Award !

I have received an award from my lovely friend and fellow crafty blogger Kerrie. Please take a look at her blog as she makes some fantastic cards and has recently started making the most yummy notebooks with her new favourite toy - The Bind It All.

I now have to nominate 5 other crafty peeps who are to display this award proudly on their blog and they in turn nominate a further 5 people. That's a lot of people !






My nominees are :-

Becky Stewart
Mum on The Run
Leigh
Nikki
Pixiedust


Thank you very much to Kerrie for this lovely award. Thank you also to the people I have nominated for the constant inspiration you give me.

Penny Black Hedgie

Needed to make a couple of cards this afternoon and whilst I have been bad I have had a lot of sleepless nights. I have used this time wisely and coloured it stamped images from swaps and decided this one was cutie and needed using.

I made a mat from gold holographic card and wound some pink thread round it to break it up a little bit. The stamped image was matted onto this. It has been coloured in with H20's with Sakura pens adding the black glossy accents and the clear glitter on the hedgie. It is very twinkly IRL, shame the scans don't pick it up all that well.

The backing papers are from DCWV (don't you love how their stack all colour match) and a Papermania ribbon is covering the join.

Di Hickman Sketch August # 3

Another week and another sketch over on Di Hickmans blog.

This card was made using one of my new purchases, DCWV Peeking Posies kit from QVC. The glittered cardstock at the bottom is from that kit as is the orange flower. The purple one is a HOTP, the brad is Dovecraft. The paper at the top is a scrap from DCWV and the purple cardstock is also an offcut which was inked around edges for definition.

The sentiment is Papermania rub-ons matted onto an offcut of the top pattern.

I am really enjoying these sketches and I am grateful I went bloghopping and found Di's site.

Dory's Sketch Challenge

This card was made using a layout from The Crafty Goldfish which I sent to my friend for her birthday.

I used DCWV paper for the background of the gatefold card. The large purple bloom is from a pack of Flowerz that I got at a bargain price of 50p in the Lakeland sale last year. The other blooms are Primas. I embellished the design with purple ric rak, a HOTP brad and purple hear t gems from Poundland. The sentiment is Papermania rub ons.

This is the first time I have used Paisly paper as I absolutely hate the design for some reason. I only used this paper as I knew the recipient would like it and have sent her all the Paisley I had so this will never be repeated.

Added a Counter

My Blog is constantly evolving so I have added a counter to see how many visitors I get. I suppose I should have done that at the start- Ho Hum !

Happy Birthday Grandad - Di Hickman Sketch August #2

It was Paul's Grandad's birthday yesterday and I made this card for him using the latest card Sketch from Di Hickman.

This is the first official card sketch challenge I have done and I am really pleased with it.

The papers are HOTP. The glitter border is a combination of DCVW and some shimmer paper I had. The die cut is a mulberry paper one from Clevercut and the card was embellished with rub ons from Letraset and Papermana.

I edged the diagonal strip to make it stand out from the paper a bit more.

Wonderful RAK card from Pwincess

I have today received the loveliest of cards from Pwincess Becky Stewart

I saw the card on her blog this morning and thought it was lovely and was absolutely gobsmacked when I opened the post and got the very same card from her. It is REALLY lovely and I feel very lucky to have received such a beautiful card from her.

Please take a look at her blog as she is very talented as makes some lovely cards and is a designer for Pink Petticoat too.

Not feeling too clever

Basically have been in tremendous pain since Wednesday 1st August and I don't do pain !!!!

Woke up twice during that night with what I thought was cramp in my thigh and had a really bad nights sleep as a result as it hurt a lot... Following morning got up to go to the loo and the pain was horrendous in the back of my right thigh and had to limp to the bathroom. Still convinced it was cramp I was in 2 minds whether to go to work or not, but Paul needed to go in early for a meeting so that was decided.

As the morning wore on I just couldn't move, the pain was winding me and I felt sick and it was really uncomfortable as I needed to go to the loo, but knew if I went downstairs at work I wouldn't be able to get back up again. Anyway got took home and a colleague drover my car home for me. I got a box of 32 Nurofen Plus and ended up taking them in less than 3 days. Had no sleep, couldn't move, couldn't get comfortable and had a horrible few days.

Managed to get the doctor to see me on Monday 6th and I've got Sciatica. taking pain killers and anti inflammatories and been given Diazepan to help me sleep but those are not working so not taking them. Since last Tuesday I have only had about 2 hours sleep a night, most nights not even that much. Had none at all last night and it's really getting me down.

Got 2 weeks off work sick which has made me feel bad as it is main holiday time and we have got poeple off. Also from 20th I have got a 2 week course which my employer has paid for and at the moment I don't know if I will be able to drive there as I have a lot of alternating pain and numbness in my right leg. I have to see a back pain specialist next Friday to be re-assessed and go from there. I really hope this is something that will ease up with resting it as the pain can be unbearable and makes me cry sometimes.

Melissa's Birthday

Made a card for my friend Melissa's birthday which was last week.

Saw the 3d stickers in Poundland and knew I had to get them as she has recently opened up an Ebay store 'Shoebag Online' and thought they were perfect for her !

The paper is Rob & Bob studio from a 'One Time Only' pack off QVC, the striped cardstock at the side is DCWV glitter card embellished with a line of diamante bling and Papermania peeloffs. The monagram was a chipboard shape from Poundland which was inked in black and then used gold embossing powder on top. It has come out looking really bronze and glimmers really nicely.

Christening Card Exploding Box

This card is the first exploding one that I have made and I really enjoyed making it.

I used different coloured cardstock and layered it so that it gave it more visual image. As this card was from 3 separate households it was good to be able to have a flap each for the sentiment.

I made my own template for it as I couldn't find the magazine article I had read so there was a fair bit of tweaking needed.

Materials used were Rub ons from DCVW, Poundland and Papermania, Peels offs Woodware & Papermania, Flowers were from Prima, a hen night 'lei' and Ebay buys. Ribbon and gems are from Papermania.

Inside the box I used a gift card from the Linda Bernsen QVC TSV and we all put money inside it. This was a perfect way of giving a gift and a card all rolled into one.

Went To A Christening

Very good friends of our John & Lisa invited us to the Christening of their daughter Daisy Jayne on Sunday 29th August in Lichfield. It is the first time Paul and I have seen her since she was born as they both have large families and we felt they would have been inundated and then I was bad with a cold and one thing led to another and a couple of months just dissappeared !

Anyway, Daisy is absolutely gorgeous (she comes from good looking parents so I suppose that helps a bit LOL)

I have never been to a Christening and thought it was a lovely service.

Our friend Phil went with us and I drove. On the way back I went on the A38 which is a very busy stretch of motorway and I joined it at the Weeford Island which a lot of people will vouch for is a very busy stretch of road. Went up to 60 MPH and loved it !!!!

1st Waterfall Card

I have wanted to have a go at this type of card for a long while but they looked too complicated and I didn't think I would be able to do it. This was until a couple of weeks ago when I saw it demonstrated at The Range. The dimensions given were for a much smaller card so I played about until I was happy with the sizing (this is an A5 card)











I used DCWV glittered cardstock for the backing, complementary coloured cardstock for the square panels. Diecut the letters using Cuttlebug red Tag Sale alphabet. The Happy Birthday sentiment is a Papermania peel off as are the little flowers.















The flower brads and ribbon for the pull tag are also Papermania and the inside of the tag is decorated with a Royal & Langnickel rub on sentiment and a peel off birthday cake which was coloured in using Sakura pens.

Rak for Friend

This card was made for a forum RAK.

I used Papermania paper, some silk blossoms from a recent swop and HOTP, a HOTP big brad with a flower rub on, and the sentiment is a chipboard shape from THAT QVC TSV. I have loads left but I am going to be gutted when I've used it up as I love it so much :)

New Home

This is a card I have made for a friend who has just moved into a new home.

The house and tree dies cuts are a Doodlebug designs Sissix die, the smily face on the sunshine was from a kids necklace which I took apart from Claire's Accessories and the ikkle flowers are Jolee's Boutique ones that I got as freebies from an Ebay seller in the USA. The sentiment is a rubber stamp and I have used Sakura Souffle pens for the the accents.

Got a Visitor

One of our friends Phil is stopping over at our house for the next 2 weeks, and as the computer room is also the spare room this means I may not be able to get on as much as I would like to.

However I have made 2 cards today which is great as they are the first I have made since I got back from my holidays.

I've Been Tagged

Leigh has tagged me, that has never happened to me before so I hope I do this right !

Here goes , 7 things to know about me are :-

1. I met my husband by sitting next to him at a Pet Shop Boys Concert in 1989 and believe me love at 1st sight does exist :)

2. I played keyboards at a music workshop with Orbital before they were famous.

3. I used to go out with a trainspotter and he WAS really boring.

4. I adore music and hate cooking or housework without it. Satellite music channels are a godsend.

5. I got a 3 AAA's athletic association badge for being the school shotput champion when I was 10

6. I have a phobia of woodlice since watching a Hammer House of Horror film called Firebugs when I was far too young to watch scary movies. Gradually over the years I am learning to overcome this......

7. I have a butterfly tattoo on my right shoulder which was done in Amsterdam last year.

Right I am going to tag the following people

Cheryl

Looby

Jo Wardle

Sam

Paula

Lime Green Bogie Girl

Sonya

Got some new stash

Yesterday was a small milestone for me driving wise as I was able to go to a Docrafts demonstration at a garden centre in Walsall. I went to Craft Central and I would not have been able to get there without the car. It felt absolutely brilliant and I was talking to a lady there who said it will make a huge difference to my life, and open up so many more choices for me. It was a great confidence boost for me as I went on my own and didn't really know where I was going so felt very proud of myself.

I was very impressed with Craft Central. They had a huge choice of manufacturers and their prices were pretty good. I got a Docrafts Goody bag, 2 packs of Papermania 6 x 6 paper in warm tones and black & white, and a Christmas messages rubber stamp. I only spent £29 but could have spent sooo much more :)

I'm back off my Holidays :(

Came back off my holidays on Tuesday 10th but only got on my computer yesterday after a bit of drama at home and doing the washing !

Crete was absolutely gorgeous. The sun rose at about 6.15am and set at 8.30pm and in between it was clear blue skies, no clouds at all and very very hot. Paul has burnt his back swimming in the sea but that is now healing up fairly well. I have gone a nice shade of brown even wearing factor 30 and 40 which I am most surprised about. The photos are still on the camera but I will get some put on here asap.

So I think it is fair to say I have holiday blues as the weather is awful here, Paul's not been well, the neighbours are causing problems with parking the car and I just want to be back in Crete !

The last of the 30th Birthdays !!!

At last I have come to the end of the list of 30th Birthdays.

It has been a challenge to come up with completely different designs for all the cards, and the person who commissioned them has been delighted with them.

This card was made using paper from the scrapbooking box TSV from QVC. It is the first time I have used the papers and this was great as the border is part of the paper. There was another border strip about 1.5 cm wide which I cut off and I will use for another card.

I edged the card with a Brilliance pearlescent inkpad to stop it looking too stark.

The ribbon is a velvet one that I got from Paperchase, I love going in there as they have some beautiful papers and accessories. The chipboard frame and square are from the same TSV kit. The sentiment was a clear sticker from the pink cardmaking box which was a Linda Beirnstein TSV a short while ago. It is the first time I have used anything from that box.

The stamped image is from a forum swap and was coloured in unsing Marvy Le Plume pen. The lettering is die cut using Ellison Designs Curlie Girlie Alphabet, the numbers are Scrapbooking House rub ons and the flowers are embellished with clear stick on gems from Poundland.

This is officially the last card I am making before I go on my holiday on Friday.

Went to a Charity Ball

Had a very busy weekend and been driving loads.

On Saturday my nephew CJ was camping at Sutton Park with the Sea Cadets so we picked Grandma up and took her to see him, where he promptly ignored us all trying to be the big hard man (he's 10 so probably not cool to have family there !) I had to go and get my hair done as we were going to a posh do at the Metropole Hotel at the NEC. I had it cut and pinned up with little ringlets, it was very pretty.

I then went back and picked family up and had a mad dash to get back home and do the ironing etc. and then drove to Shirley which is a very long way from our house on ringroads and stuff. Lots of traffic and busy roads and good experience. Then went to posh do and had champagne and scrummy food and a very good time was had by all. Stopped overnight and had a lovely Sunday with family and then came back quite late and was very tired with all that driving. Had a couple of dodgy gear changes, but was really pleased with how much driving I had done. It's all practice isn't it ?

Booked a holiday today

We are going to Crete next Friday !

Managed to get a really good deal on an All Inclusive holiday and we fly out on the 29th June for 10 nights. I am so excited I could burst, but have loads and loads to do before I go away.

Another 30th Birthday

One of my colleagues at work gave me a list of birthday cards she wanted making during the course of the year.

Most of them were for 30th Birthday cards as it was a lot of her schoolfriends and they had all kept in touch. As they all see one another I had to make them different. Many of the ones I have made over the last few months are in my slideshow, the link is in my labels list on the right hand side.

This card has been made using HOTP papers from the Citrus Creative pack, ribbons and the big brad with rub on are from my new HOTP QVC TSV which I collected from the Post Office today. The chipboard is from the scrapbooking TSV. I embellished with Paermania gems and a sticker. The flowers are from a 'Hen Night' flower garland from Birthdays - a great tip from one of my forum buddies. You get absolutely loads for £1.50 - very cheap !

Thomas The Tank Engine

I have been commissioned to make a birthday card for a 2 year old who is mad about Thomas The Tank Engine and decided I wanted to do some sort of decoupage card and was expecting to make my own from layering an image but I was pleasantly surprised to find this by doing a Google search. It cane up with this fantastic image from a website called www.dltk-kids.com

I printed it out on photo paper so it was nice and shiny and the colours are very vibrant. I used silver peel off stickers to add the name and age and the Happy Birthday sentiment is a vellum sticker. The image is built up with 3d foam upto 5 layers.

The only trouble with using photo paper is that you only get one chance withe the peel-offs and I am not particularly happy with the spacing on the name, but I am sure his parents will love it. It's probably just me wanting to be perfect !

Drove to work for 1st time

It was very strange driving to work and parking in my very own space. It was raining which was great because normally we would be worrying about getting wet and would have considered getting a taxi into work. This morning that was no problem !

We have a security gate at work and you have to drive up to a sensor and a chip in your pass lets you through. I was worrying that I wouldn't pull up close enough and would have to get out of the car - all the stupid things you worry about when you do something new for the first time. Of course it wasn't a problem and I was worrying about nowt !

Stamped Flower Card

This card was made using a stamped image from a swap with a forum buddy. Coloured in with Marvy le Plume pens, papers used were HOTP Citrus Cardmaker's Pack. Embellished with Papermania gems in centre of flowers and ribbon.

Went for a lovely meal

Our nice neighbours took us out for a meal to celebrate me passing my test. He offered that as an incentive to pass and it worked !

We introduced them to an Indian Restaurant called Regards in Aldridge and the food is lovely. It is very well flavoured and the meat is always moist and succulent. So far we have never had a bad meal there. Paul's Dad recommended we go there as he visits most weeks and is a well known customer. They are opening a new restaurant tonight in Boldmere and he has been invited to have a free meal. Last night Paul was speaking to the owner and he has invited us on Tuesday for a meal too.

Went driving for the first time !

Went driving Saturday afternoon for the first time. Offered to drop our friend back but he said he was a nervous passenger and would rather not. My hubby looked like he was really crapping himself and I was nervous but didn't want to say anything.

Did a trial run up to work in Aldridge. Took about 18 minutes. Normally takes me 25 minutes plus a 20 minute walk each day so that will be a big improvement. Also my hubby works at the same place so on the days when he is not working from home it will collectively save us £6 in bus fares a day.

Did a bit of tootling round on the way back, I was really enjoying the freedom of just going where I wanted. It took me about half an hour to feel really settled but by then the nerves had gone and I was loving it. I jumped out of gear once, stalled once and had trouble with finding reverse (you have to push the gear knob in which is weird !)

I got some petrol at Asda and we popped into Paul's Mom's on the way back. It was so cool just popping into someone's without there having to be a milliatary precision planned visit and timing it with the buses.

Also resolved the parking issue with the neighbours and asked them not to park outside the house anymore as I have got my own car now. Took the easy approach and spoke to the bloke as he is a lot more approachable than his wife is !

Commission for 5th Birthday

Our friend Phil brought my car round for me Saturday afternoon. WOOHOO !!!!

He mentioned that it was his grand-daughter's birthday the following day and he said he was going to buy her card and pressies. As he was stopping for a couple of beers I offered to make a card for him and he jumped at the chance ! I have made cards for Chloe and her Mum before and Phil is a rare man who appreciates the work that goes into these cards.

I used HOTP paper from the Citrus Cardmakers pack for the backing, Cuttlebug embossing folders for the Happy Birthday text and the '5' which was cut from card using a template I made in Word.

I embellished the card with Papermania brads, ribbons and a bit of sparkle. Used some pretty flowers and chipboard letters from QVC. He was delighted with the card.

Father's Day

Only made 1 Father's Day card for FIL as they never seem to sell very well at work.

I have lots of men who buy ladies cards, but not many of them buy cards for men !

I had to make this in a hurry this morning as I was out late celebrating with my friends last night so did a variation on the card I made for my hubby. Used the stamped images that were already coloured, just needed cutting out. Used HOTP papers again, Papermania 'Scrabble' tiles and Dovecraft brads.

I get my car this afternoon and our good friend next door are taking me out for an Indian at our favourite restaurant to celebrate passing my test.

I still cannot believe I can LEGALLY drive a car on my own. !!!!!

I've Passed !!!!

My Driving Test

WooHOOO !!!!

Can you tell I am pleased ?

It was my 3rd attempt and I am so very chuffed as I thought I had failed it when I brushed against the kerb as I was about to do a reverse round corner.

I asked if I had failed it and he said he couldn't comment, but not to make assumptions.

I was gobsmacked when we got back to the test centre and he said I had passed. He felt I knew I had done something wrong, would learn from it but didn't let it dictate the rest of the test and my driving otherwise vas pretty good. I give him the biggest hug and also my instructer who has put up with me for over 2 years (he is a saint !)

I am going out to celebrate with my hubby and a couple of friends. I cannot believe how much I am smiling, I literally am grinning like a cheshire cat :)

TTFN

Mandy - The driver !!!!

Welcome Home Paul

My beloved husband has been to Newquay since Friday morning and is coming home tomorrow.

I really have missed him - even his snoring and it will be purgatory at work all day until I can run home and see him.

He asked me if I was going to make him a card Bless !

I used some Penny Black rubber stamps that I bought off a seller on Ebay in the USA as they were so much cheaper than over here even with the shipping charges. I however have not used them before but recently did some stamped images in a forum swap and did some extra for me to colour in which I did whilst watching the Canadian F1 Grand Prix. I was so proud when Lewis Hamilton came 1st. He really is an amazing driver.

The backing papers and tag were from HOTP Earth Tones Creative Pack, the ribbons and brad are Papermania and the ikkle house is a punch. Teddies have been cut out and raised on 3d foam pads.

Wedding Card Box

With Bookatrix cards you NEED a box as they are about 1" thick when they stand away from the base card.

I particularly like to emboss a line around the edge as I feel it gives a focus to the centre and provides a corner to place a small embellishment and add a bit more detail.

I like to decorate the box lid with a motif or wording which complements the event the card is for.

I had a bit of a disaster with the rubber stamp though. I embossed it using gold embossing powder straight onto the box lid and the heat from the gun made the box warp !

I made another lid and cut the first one up so I could use the image and layered onto gold paper. It does stand out better on the lid now though. The peeloff is from a sheet I bought from Partners. The rubber stamp is a Denami designs one that I bought from a forum friend. I think it is so elegant.

Wedding Card

I have been commissioned by one of my colleagues Karen to make a wedding card in a box.

She had a look on my website at cards I had made before and selected a Bookatrix style card that I had made, but particularly wanted it in cream & beige. I felt it would be difficult to make a nice looking card with just those colours so suggested using gold as well.

I particularly like using 3 layers on this type of card, but sometimes it can be a real pain to match the papers together, this time it was easy ! The heart paper is wrapping paper from Paperchase which has a lovely design to it. The vellum is beige from a Hot Off The Press Earth Tones Creative Pack. I used small flower border peeloffs from I-mag-i-nation as they had them on special offer recently and I have used these ones before as they are so delicate. The mulberry flower stems have been twirled around a kebab stick to give them the twirly look.

Added a Page Rank

After visiting Paula's blog at Somewhere in Time I noticed she had a page rank on it so feeling curious went and had a peek and have added on to my own.

I don't expect mine will reach a very high number of hits but it will be interesting to see if my numbers goes up (or even down I suppose)

Birthday Commission

I have been commissioned by one of my Manager's at work to make a card for his girlfriend. The brief was girly and pink, I think this will do don't you !

Used my fave Sizzix die, velvet ribbon, cute buckle from Ebay and papers from K & Co and Papermania.

The black glossy card was packaging from a Cuttlebug folder - us crafter's throw nothing away you know :) The dressmaker's form is in silver mirror card but this never scans very well and always seems to come out black !

Shaped birthday Commission

This card was a commission for a work colleague who at the start of the year gave me a list of cards she wanted making, most of which were 30th birthdays !

The card front is shaped like a 35 (template kindly supplied by Microsoft Word) This is coverd with DCVW Glitter Stack in 'manly' colours ! I like to differentiate the numbers by using different papers !

The Banner is a piece of black ribbon with a sticker on it. I used Papermania brads to hold the folded ends under and stuck on with 3d foam More brads held ribbon scraps and a heart on as it for her husband and you gotta feel the love ! I covered the 'inside' of the card with metallic silver paper which has a bit of glitz in it and used a few peel offs to add interest. Adele loved the card.

One of the girls in HR Sobia said on Friday that everytime she sees me she has to rack her brain wondering if she has a card that she needs making ! It's only small but I have my dedicated fan base who won't go anywhere else for a card :)

Been a bit slow on the card making front recently as I have needed to do some maintenance on my computer. Running out of space so having to do some sorting and backing up. However, I have just received my latest TSV from QVC which was a cardmaking set in a lovely pink box ! Planning on making cards today and also Paul is going to Newquay next weekend so I will be able to please myself all weekend. Well that's one way of getting away from his snoring !