Christmas is all wrapped up....

ha, I wish! but I'm not too far away. I have estimated approx. 50 handmade numbers this year and today made 26 using 2 designs and have all the making for the next 26 all ready, see my neatly organised ironing board here, yes, don't read back, it does say ironing board! Set at the correct height it's a great desk and the floor comes in handy too. I would have these made too only I need to use a few different sentiment stamps and need to compile a list to see how many of each. I had this made in a prototype but the sentiments wouldn't work and since I took delivery of an adorably pink and glitzy Big Shot yesterday I thought I'd have a play with some nesties I got a while back! Yup, bonkers me bought nesties before the machine, a while before!!! I used one of the square labels and cut it in half - 2 for the price of one - and played for a bit to decide where to put it. My only dilemma now is if I should leave it 'mobile' or stick it down. I've enjoyed making these (apart from the vast number required) as I've used primarily new stash. The Clarity stamp is one I bought on my birthday back in May when we were staying near Hornsea but haven't used until now.. I bought the topper off a download site and the 'wax seal' on the 'special' one is something I've been wanting to play at for ages. I did proto these in b&w but decided coloured mirri works better - hope you agree! Have to say though, after embossing 50 matts, that thrill when the heat chases and melts did wear seriously thin.

How did my husband become 50????

My god, 50! that is dinosaur age to me still (although I'm not that many years behind). Remember when you were a kid at school? 50 was past retirement and well into dotage! Well, let me tell you, 50 is the new 30! I don't think he looks it and certainly doesn't act it - mmmmm apart from he doesn't jump to the paint roller as quickly and nimbly as he did at 25! That's another shocker, silver anniversary next year - my word, I'm too young for that - surely!!!!!

 

Anyways, here are the cards I made for him this year! The photo was a new technique for me where you print off a photocopy of the photo and then 'transfer fashion' turn it upside down on card stock and using a 'cheap' nail polish remover, dampen the back of the picture, this was the result I got. It did vary from picture to picture and paper to paper but I love the effect, less harsh than a photo. LOL at the drum one, this was sooooo much fun to do and very simple really. He is a drummer - I acknowledge the 'is' as I heard the evidence for the first time in 25 years. He bought a kit a few years ago and finally got round to putting them up in the empty conservatory tonight, he and Adam tried their best to smash all that glass!

Baby's first christmas

When making this I had no idea what I should do or where to go for inspiration. After playing with cardboard I thought it would be nice if part of the card could be used as a tree ornament and set about looking for files on baubles. Thankfully a clever person made one (craftrobostore) I bought it and created this card from said baubles! The bauble is removeable but I have no idea as to the longevity of the bauble. Hopefully, if treated with care it will last a year or two!!!

I love this card, the pearl effect makes it more lush and having ribbons and pearls to match was pure luck but good luck.

Missed this one!

This was made for a lovely friend, sadly I had a serious 'craft' moment (can't remember a ***** thing) and misheard mother in law for father in law. This is the creation I did for the male. The back of the tag has a 70 year history and can be removed to make a book mark. Such a shame I got it wrong as I quite like this card!

Ramblings of a crazy lady!!!!

Well, today while at a school craft event I got talking to some of the mums. They know from past conversations when I've mentioned crafting that I make cards and scrap. Today though, I think I probably left them with the impression that I'm either completely bonkers and need to learn to let others partake in a conversation, or I am truly passionate about anything crafty! I am hanging my head in shame at my monopoly and need to remember that other people may not be interested in embossing, distressing and gesso!

Adele

New exploding box!

Wow, ooops, I was going to say I was on a roll for October, but just realised today is November 1st! I did start these in October though, so does that count? I was asked for a 70th card for a friends mother in law. My friend gave me loads to go on, such a help when you can get an image of the person if you don't know who you are making them for. She told me her likes and parts of her life, so I included little motifs under the text on each page to match relevant parts of her life history. Being 70 and using a square box, I was left with a blank page and wondered what to do with it - checked back at the brief I was given and there was a mention of her gorgeous little granddaughters, how much bigger a part of your life do they get!! So, in went a lovely picture of them together. I'm loving going down the 'gift' side of card making. Doing flat ones are all well and good and there is a sure need for them, but doing the special makes is such a pleasure and indulgence it surely should be rationed!!!

New 'word book'

I was asked to make a 2nd birthday card for a friend. I knew exactly where to go with a style, I knew she would love his name spelt out in a word book - she, like all us mums, loves her boy! So I set to making the letters and cutting the card still with no idea of where I would end. After finishing the 'bones' of the card I pondered what to put on the pages - I thought of the toppers I had but then, after looking at the pics of the little man, thought how lovely it would be to make a mini scrapbook and include a pic with each member of the family. These are such a special card for little people and definately keepers! Hail that 1st person that thought one day - oooh I could make a word book!!!