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)