Fairies, banana bread and bunny ears!

Ok, so I've used a Lilli of the Valley image again.... but what's a girl to do when they are just sooooo lovely!

I hope that everyone is enjoying their Easter break.

Hubby is at the football, so I'm indulging in a little bank holiday crafting. I also found time to try out a new banana bread recipe this afternoon and I have to say that it smells fabulous! I'm looking forward to tucking into it later with a big cup of hot chocolate... yum!

This simple little Nestie card was so quick and easy to make. I coloured the image earlier in the week and just added the finishing touches today. I think that Nestie cards make a fabulous 'fallback' when you need a cute card in a hurry! I swooshed a little silver Versacolour over some D'vine Swirls embossing for a quick and simple background.

It's 'Blue and silver' for week #50 over at the Lili of the Valley Challenge Blog and the Flutterby Wednesday Challenge is for 'Blue, white and green'.

I'm also linking this card to the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Open week.

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #53 - 'Sugar and spice and everything nice'

Crafty Creations girls - 'Anything goes'

One stitch at a Time Challenge #7 - 'Anything goes'

'Shapes Galore' at A Spoonful of Sugar.

One small card... so many challenges!

Just before I sign off I hope you don't mind if I share these latest pictures of my niece.

Guess who didn't really want Auntie to photograph her wearing bunny ears!!!

She'll love these pictures when she's 21!

Happy crafting everyone!

If Amy was a fairy...

Ok, I'll start by explaining that strange post title...

I was searching Etsy a few weeks ago for digital stamps and came across the store of the very talented Claire Keay. Claire does gorgeous work, but I was especially drawn to this sweet image of a fairy. Not only is she beautifully drawn but she also looks very much like my friend's daughter!

I thought this was just my impression, but after I had coloured her I asked my hubby to take a look and see if the picture looked like anyone we knew?

He immediately said 'Amy'. Now my husband really isn't known for his ability to remember faces ( I am constantly delighted when he picks me out in a crowd) so the resemblance must be as genuinely uncanny as I first thought!

I coloured 'Amy' with my Promarkers and then got to work on her wings with Stickles.

A little ribbon, pretty ric-rac and some seed beads and she was done!

I haven't added a sentiment so that I can use this card as and when I need it.

This week it is 'Anything goes' over at The Secret Crafter as Wendy and her DT celebrate the launch of her gorgeous new Manga inspired stamps.

Also 'congratulations' to Flutterby Wednesday at reaching challenge 100! This week is an open challenge so I'm going to join in the fun with this little card!

The sun is shining, it's a beautiful morning and I'm off to play with my newly arrived Lili of the Valley stamps!

Happy crafting everyone!

Let's share a secret....

Just a quick post today to share the fabulous secret of Nesties card construction!

For the uninitiated, which included me until a few days and one Donna ago, please watch this brief video from the wonderful Lucy. She demonstrates making these little shaped cards so well!

Here is a shot of the back of the card that I shared yesterday. As you can see the score is about 1/4 inch from the top. The adhesive is sandwiched inside the card. You need to make sure that you use really good adhesive as the person opening the card may not realise that this isn't a traditional 'folded' card.

Here is the front again, with the addition of the Hero Arts sentiment.

Donna suggested adding the image after assembling your card. I think that's a really good idea. By doing this you can make sure everything is positioned correctly. With the 'squarer' shaped card that Lucy makes in the video I don't think this would matter as much.

This card was delivered today to thank my parents for a wonderful Christmas Day, fabulous food and their lovely gifts.

Happy crafting everyone, go get those Nesties!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!

I feel as if I have crossed over into a new card making dimension. The adorable Donna has unlocked one of life's great mysteries for me... I finally know how to make a Nesties circular card!

Hooray and a funny little happy dance!

Actually I was so over excited that I photographed this card before adding the sentiment. After I had calmed down and stopping jigging around my craft room like some mad woman, I added a tiny little 'thank you' in the gap below her feet!

Thank you Donna, you are sooooooo kind.

I was surprised and delighted to discover that Victoria had left this little award for me on her blog. Thank you so much!

It's such a treat to get an award, and then such a treat to be able to pass it on to others!

As with all awards there are a few rules
1. Copy this award to your blog.
2. Link to the person who gave you this award.
3. Identify 7 interesting facts about yourself.
4. Choose 7 other bloggers to pass this award on to.
5. Link to their blogs.
6. Leave them a comment to let them know about this award.

Here are my magnificent seven:
Linda
Donna
Jill
Vicky
Lynne
Sally and last, but by no means least... Beth.

My seven sort of 'interesting' facts are:

1. I became an auntie in May last year and am totally smitten with my adorable little niece.
2. I found my way into blogland after breaking my wrist at work. No cardmaking for six frantic weeks... thank goodness for all those wonderful blogs that kept me sane.
3. The most famous person that I've met is Prince Phillip. He was very friendly and put everyone at their ease, but I cannot remember a single word of our conversation.
4. I began my career as a children's librarian and once had to dress up as a bear!
5. In September I hosted a party for 130 children and their parents... and the Lady Mayoress of Birmingham, and the poet Chris White.
6. I spend far too much money on craft goodies... and am going to make it a resolution to spend less in 2010. How long will that one last?????
7. I have just realised that I've forgotten to feed Custard and it's after 7pm. (Back in a minute...)

Enjoy your awards ladies!

Finally, I just want to congratulate the Vanessa and Alice who have both won a day on the Hero Arts blog. I am thrilled for them, and I am sure they will create some gorgeous things along with the HA girls!

Happy crafting everyone!