Keeping it simple.

I seem to be on a CAS kick! Perhaps that says something about where my head is right now? However, clean and simple seems to be making for some wonderfully relaxing card making and I'm having lots of fun.

I made this just before the weekend as I needed a few thank you cards. The stamps are from Stampin' Up and Hero Arts and I used Distress Inks and black Versafine. The paper has a linen texture and I quite like how it has given the stamping a slightly grainy look.

I was planning to enter the Less is More Challenge but this week the theme is 'doodling' and I just can't seem to create anything that I like! Must try harder....

Finally, thank you so much for all your kind comments and emails about the loss of my friend Shell. I really appreciate your support and friendship.

In memory of Shell: myself, my dear friend Gay, Gay's daughter, Shell's daughter and a group of Shell's friends and colleagues are going to run in the Telford Race for Life in a few weeks time. I'll share the pics after the event and give you all a good laugh at how un-athletic I am!

Happy crafting everyone!

Just saying hello....

...to all my lovely blogging buddies!

I can't believe that it has taken so long for me to get my head into gear and start card making and blogging again. A big thank you to everyone who emailed or left a comment to check up on me - you are all so kind.

It's been a very difficult few months health wise, but with the love and support of my hubby and my wonderful parents I am beginning to make progress. It's also been a difficult time because of the loss of one of my dearest friends. My beautiful, funny and wise friend Shell lost her battle with Ovarian cancer last month. Here she is at my wedding in 2004, dressed in her customary turquoise. Shell was just 38 years old, and words cannot express how much we are all going to miss her.

I'm going to try and pick up my blogging again, but please be patient with me if my posts are a wee bit infrequent or if I don't manage to comment as often as I'd want to.
Big hugs to you all, and if you want to spend five minutes reflecting on the life of someone that you've loved but who is no longer with you then please listen to this Frank Turner song. The best tribute that we can ever pay someone is to live our lives to the full and keep them in our hearts forever.

Less is More!

Hello everyone, another bright but chilly day here in Birmingham, UK.
Here is my first card for a Less is More Challenge.
The ladies are celebrating their 1st birthday so I thought I'd join the celebrations and play along.
This card took me five attempts, yes FIVE, to get it nearly right. CAS cards are so unforgiving.
I take my hat off to all you CAS Divas who turn out perfection each and every time!
I'd had this card in my head for about two or three weeks but hadn't quite settled on the final format. Seeing this LIS sketch brought everything together for me!
I used Hampton Arts shadow block 'It's a square' for the blocks of colour and the inchies are from Inkadinkadoo's 'Special Thoughts' Clear stamp set.I used my trusty Hougie board for the scoring. It may look like a kiddies toy but it's great to use.
I feel a bit shy about entering this card for the Less is more Challenge as some of the entries are fabulous but I guess you've gotta start somewhere!

Anyhooo. I'm a very busy bee today so I must buzzzzzz.

Happy crafting everyone, it's nearly the weekend!

Cheers to you!

Brrrrrr, it's so chilly today!
Thankfully my craft room is the cosiest room in the house so what a great excuse to spend the day there.
There's so much that I'm not sure about with this card... but I love the colours, the sweet sketch, the cute buttons and Kraftin' Kimmie's Sophia.
The papers are oldies from Stampin' Up as one of my resolutions for 2012 is to use my stash rather than hoarding it. The stripes on the top half of the card were supposed to go vertically but guess who stuck the paper down before she realised!
This card is for my sweet friend Karen. I think Sophia really should be quaffing white wine as that's Karen's favourite tipple, but I'm sure she wouldn't turn her nose up at something pink with an olive in it.
Hubby finished the fence over the weekend (he worked so hard) and it looks great. The only problem is that the cat is scared of it as he doesn't like change!

This card is for the following challenges:
The Pink Elephant - use your favourite colours.
The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Anything goes with blue
Sketch Saturday - a lovely sketch (which I can't paste onto my desktop for some reason).
ABC Challenge - H is for Happy Birthday.
Happy Crafting everyone!

Butterfly girl

Hi everyone, sorry I've not been around much recently. I hope that 2012 is going well for you all, I have to say it's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for me: hence my lack of blogging and crafting.
I was trying to make some quick and easy 'thank you' cards and decided to use this pretty butterfly girl stamp. I've spent ages trying to track down the stamp company, or image name, but can't come up with either as the packaging is just a clear bag. If any kind person knows I'd be grateful if they could please leave a comment and I'll update the information.
The background is stamped with Gertie Girlie stamps from the Stella and Rose My Mind's Eye collection, plus my favourite dots from Hero Arts.
A little ribbon and a Stella and Rose brad and I called it done! I was trying to capture the look of a sepia photograph... not sure it quite worked but hey ho.
I best scoot along as hubby is mending broken fencing and might need a cuppa.
Happy crafting everyone!

Happy New Year, darlings!

Hi everyone, just a quick visit to wish you all a very happy new year.
I hope it brings you happiness, good health and lot's of crafty fun.