Four turtle doves!

So here are the first two Turtle doves on this little card featuring a gorgeous Kraftin' Kimmie/Moonlight Whisper image called Clara.

I bought this stamp a few weeks ago but have been saving her until now. This image of Clara with her birds is perfect for my Sister-in-law and my Mom-in-law's cards as they both keep doves.

This first card is the one that I made for my SIL and her hubby. I got busy with my Promarkers and then cut out the image. The script background is a very old Christmas greetings stamp from Hero Arts that I love. I edged the backing paper with Stickles and added four little pearls. This was a very simple card to make, but I am pleased with the effect. The gorgeous backing paper is from my recent blog candy win over at Beth's.

There are more cards to follow, but first I just wanted to signpost the way to The Stamp Man blog hop that will be taking place between Christmas and the New Year.

Looks great fun, and thanks for the info Vicky, I'll be playing along!

My next two cards feature a cute little turkey that Lynne sent me a few weeks ago.

Isn't he adorable? Just the perfect image for my friend Jacquie and her family, and also for my very dear friend Rob. The brown and blue card, with the slightly more masculine colour combo is for Rob.

BTW, if you want to find out the true meaning of the Twelve Days of Christmas' song please take a look at this fascinating post over on Lynne's blog.

This next card is for my Mom's friend Pat and her husband. I didn't do too well with the light effect on this card, but it's still cute!

This final card is the one that I made for my sweet Mom and Dad-in-law and has the other two of the four Turtle doves on it!

My MIL loves her doves, and I have to admit that there is nothing nicer than sitting in the garden with pretty white doves circling above your head on a summer evening.

There is, however, one problem with keeping doves and that is that it attracts other doves and pigeons into the garden. Last year a new bird appeared on the scene. Although he was quite pretty and 'dove-like', he had some brown patches on his wings which suggested that he also had some pigeon ancestry. He also had a very bad attitude and so we christened him 'Bad Bertie'. Bertie made himself very much at home and took to bossing and bullying the other doves. Eventually things got so bad that my MIL tried to shoo him away, but Bertie took no notice.

My MIL decided that drastic measures were called for so she got a cardboard box, lined it with an old jumper and popped Bertie into it. My In-Law's took a ride out to one of the villages a few miles away and carefully released Bertie, who flew away into a clear blue sky.

They returned home, feeling happy and relieved.

When telling me this tale my Dad-in-law delivered the punch line with relish '... and when we got home Bertie was there waiting for us'.

Yes, who should be strutting around the bird table but Bad ol' Bertie, tired but happy after a great day out. Bertie still has plenty of attitude but is now treated as one of the family!

That's about it for the Christmas cards folks, but I just want to say thank you so much to you all for visiting my blog, and thank you for your kind comments and your friendship, it really means so much to me.

Happy Christmas everyone, I hope it is fun filled and magical!