Hand Crafted Memories

This weeks challenge on Daring Cardmakers was to super size me using large blooms, so here is my entry. I kept it really simple and let the flower and colours speak for themselves. I've been busy making place cards for the same wedding I made the invites for, although I'm still recovering from the weekend. There were 75 place cards that all needed printing folding and a little organza ribbon bow tied on them. This translated into 3 1/2 hours of bow tying, I have to say they looked lovely when they were finished, very simple but elegant. I had an e-mail to say Scrapping Angels would be announcing the dates for next years weekend so I've got a little pot and I'm putting money in it every week. Let's hope there are no unexpected burst radiators to get in the way again.

Well I'm back from the Scrapping Angels retreat and absolutely shattered, I had a great weekend that has really inspired me. I have loads of ideas rolling around in my head that I would like to get down on paper. I took today off work to catch up on sleep and try to finish off the projects I started but didn't quite finish. So far I've managed to get to the doctors, dentist and bank I'm also through my washing and ironing, what a !bore so I've only managed to complete 2 pages but here they are. The first one was Summer Soiree taught by Debbie Jewell This second was was a make and take kit that I bought from 3 Jolly Scrappers , I sat in between classes to create this one. I need to find photos for some of the other projects that I made but I'll post them as they are finished. I also need to catch up on my weekly challenges for posting, no time to relax.

OK, I am now officially excited about the Scrapping Angels retreat this weekend. I have everything packed and in the car and I'm ready to go and be inspired by all sorts of scrapping loveliness. I've also noticed that I have had over 1,000 hits to this blog. When I first started this I asked, who would possibly be interested in what I do or make. I also wondered if it would be something I would continue to maintain. I am enjoying sharing what I create but it seems people are interested in looking at them. I hope that some of the hits inspire others, because I have to admit without blogs I would have some very 'dry' periods. If anybody is at the retreat this weekend that reads this blog please come and say Hi, it would be nice to see the faces of readers. you'll recognise me by my badge . Here are some more of the oriental cards I made. and a little gift bag.

Remember I said here that I had been playing with some of the Craftwork Cards oriental stamps ? Well here are some of the cards, it's taken me a while to post them because I wasn't sure what would be happening with them. I was kind of hoping they would be published but it didn't happen so I can at last share them here. These are lovely stamps that give a perfect image every time. Now I have to say oriental is not my thing but these are such lovely stamps I was persuaded to rethink. It's hard to pick out my favourites because I did quite a few cards with them. I'll post more so that the post doesn't become too photo heavy. For more cards have a look in the Simply Cards and Papercrafts magazine (No 57) for cards usning these stamps, including some from my friend Lynda. Lynda's cards are always beautifully clean looking with some of the best detail.

I don't have many photos of me growing up and for a long time I've wanted to use this limited supply for a scrapbook of me. The pencil lines sketches that are released every Sunday are helping me to get this done, it's true that when the photos are scrap booked they are looked at more often. I usually focus my creativity on my brothers family or to a lesser extent my travels, but I am getting a lot of joy from this one book that causes great amusement to everybody who sees it. Here to add further amusement is another page of me as a child.

I went to a friends for dinner on Friday night, we've been doing a bit of a Come Dine with Me experience between four of us at work. It's been fun and I came in at second place. Friday night's dinner was the winner and Kate was definitely the hostess with mostest . This is a thank you card I made for her, I know she loves autumnal colours. The design could work for a male themed card as well. Products used were all Stampin Up Stamps: Oval all, Lovely as a tree Ink pads: So saffron, old olive & close to cocoa Punches: Oval & scallop oval Card stock: whisper White & Mellow Moss Ribbon: a scrap of brown that was laying around

Can you believe I made the fab five this week? I was so surprised, I keep going back and checking it really is my name. It's amazing how something like this gives you a buzz and encourages you to keep going and do better. Here is my entry for this weeks Stamp with Us challenge. I've used all stampin up products except the ribbon: Stamp Pads - Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, More Mustard Card stock - Whisper White, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip Punches - Oval Scallop, Oval Stamp Sets - Oval All, Paisley, Organic Grace (Hostess Set)

Last night a friend I went out with my friends to celebrate one of them reaching 60, so here is the birthday card I made him. For those who are a fan of the talented Julie Hickey you will recognise this as one of her favourite formats for making cards. It really does work for everybody and is quick. I sometimes put the age on or if it is not a special age I use the cuttlebug to emboss Happy Birthday and stick it in the middle. This also qualifies for this weeks Daring Card Makers Challenge.

I'm off to the Scrapping Angels retreat at the end of this month and have had real fun creating my name badge. This was our pre-retreat challenge. I can't begin to say how much I'm looking forward to it. I have had to start packing for it already, not because I'm taking loads (I can't really, three people with craft stuff in a Citroen C1, it's going to be tight). But because I'm busy almost very night and I'm working right up to Friday tea time. We're all travelling the night before to Cambridge as it's a 21/2 hour drive and we would have to set off at stupid o'clock to get there for the kick off on Saturday at 9. After all we want to enjoy all the fun! I have learnt from a retreat I did last year and I've taken the Monday off to recover. The challenge was to create a name badge that said something about you the only rule was it must have your name on it. What does this say about me? My best friend came for her dinner this evening and tho...

Here is my final challenge catch up, it's pencil lines sketch 130. I loved Brisbane and felt most a peace when I was sitting on a bench in the park just watching this view. I was in Australia December 1998 and it was around this time that I made the decision that I would return to the UK. At the time I was working in Saudi Arabia and had worked in the Middle East for 15 years, something while I was in Australia told me it was time to go home. It took me another 6 months after that decision. I have had brilliant opportunities to travel and I took full advantage of them, but if I had to choose another place to live (other than where I am now) it would be Australia and most probably Brisbane.

Two entries in one day. This weeks challenge on Daring Cardmakers was to make a card with a hidden message or element. So in keeping with my own personal challenge to create male cards for the boys at work here is my take. Here's the secret element hidden behind the sail. The frame is from Craftwork Cards and is great for those diificult male cards. They ahve a whole range of great frames that need very little adding to them to make a great card.

What a lovely day I thought I'd put some bedding plants in, I know it's still a little early but I decided to risk it. That was until I tried to bend down, I'm aching everywhere from all the decorating. I moved a couple of plants round to fill some gaps and I've given up. I now officially am going to have a crafting, napping, relaxing day. Here's the first of my craft catch ups. This weeks challenge at Stamp with Us is to make a birthday card, here's mine. I used all Stampin Up products: Ink pads - Bashful Blue & Basic Black Stamp Sets - Pocket Silhouettes & Happy Everything Ribbon - Whisper White Grosgrain Card - Whisper White & Real Red Paper - 12X12 Summer Picnic (I used both sides) Punches - 13/8" & 11/4" circles with this card.

I'm feeling very decadent at the moment. I love fresh flowers in my house and through the summer usually have a bunch in my living room, the more fragrant the better. I've been spending so much time upstairs in my craft room that I've been buying some daffodils and putting them in the window. It's feels very extravagant, I know they are only 2 bunches of £1 Daffi's but they are framed by the backdrop of my garden that is chock full of spring beauty. The plum tree is still in full bloom and the rain has been kind to it not beating the blossom off. My Easter break so far has been spent painting and reorganising the spare bedroom. Three days to paint it and get all the furniture back in place. I'm so glad that I decided to use the larger one for the craft room, it would have been a bit tight using the smaller one. My next challenge is that I now have two beautifully decorated spare rooms, it's now made my bedroom look a bit tired. So I guess the next holiday ...

Here is my idea using the pencil lines sketch 129 . I've had the sisters paper for a while, purple is not one of my favourite colours.I bought it because I wanted the paper but it was only availalbe in that colour.I struggled with what to team it with, I didn't want to go with the predictable shades of lilac or pink, so why not lime green. I really like this colour combination and now don't mind the purple.

I went to Sheffield Arena on 27th March to see Simply Red, how could I have forgotten to record that! What an amazing concert, Mick Hucknall's voice is incredible regardless of whether you like him or not. When an artist can get up and perform live and hold an audience the way he does that's talent. I would say that about anybody who can do that whether I like their music or not. I know most of his songs, but hadn't realised how much of my life I associate with the music. The two songs that really tugged my heart were Stars , the roar that went up when he began was incredible and brought everybody to their feet. Also Stay had me just mesmerised. I can still hear him singing and picture him in my mind two weeks later. I'm only sorry this is his last tour I would definitely be going again if there was another. These pictures were taken on my little pocket camera so I'm pleased with them, all ready to scrapbook in my March month.

Daring Card Makers set some amazing challenges that my good friend Lynda loves. This week I decided to have a go while I wait for the new pencil lines challenge, and now I see why she loves it! This is my take on the challenge which this week was to add some fruit on the card. The papers and fruit stamps are from Stampin Up, the birthday stamp is from Whispers.

I have a lovely plum tree at the bottom of my garden and today the blossom on it finally opened. It's quite fragile and the first windy day or downpour it will all be gone.I managed to get an hour out there tidying everything up, all I need now are my hanging baskets and the garden centres to get their summer bedding plants in and Ill be set for summer. God I hope we get a lovely summer this year, I lived in the Middle East for 15 years and although I've now been back for 10 I really do miss the sun. I have full sun on my garden all day it just moves around, but the sun rises on my patio which allows me to have breakfast out there. I eat all my meals on the patio but for the last two summers this has not been possible. For the moment I'll admire this beautiful blossom that makes me smile.

A good friend of mine that I work with has the most adoreable little girl. She was 2 on wednesday so I made this card for her. I also made her this little sign to hang in her bedroom or on the door. I've made quite a few of these over the years and they always get a good reception. My personal challenge now involves men, pah! I always find them difficult, that's both men and cards for them 8-). I work with mostly men, we always all sign a card for everybody's birthday. I've been asked to make the cards them, I do like a challenge.

Stamp With Us have launched today with a challenge and they are also looking for Design Team members. This is my take on the sketch, it's also a good way to stock up on my samples. I used all Stampin Up products Inkpads - Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke. Cardstock - Perfect Plum, Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Mellow Moss. Stamps - A Rose is a Rose, Oval All.