You sew and sew!!

Hey!!  How are you dear readers?  I have had a great day in my 'craft studio' and made this card for a friend of mine who is a tailoress - for all the major posh shops in London.  After some discussion with Anna and Kim about the Grand Nesties, I have used the largest one I have.  I have not used them before as 1. I would have to make an envelope!!! and 2. I didn't think this shape would stand up on a mantelpiece.  But Kim puts a smaller card on the back and all seems well.  This shape obviously wouldn't stand up the other way though. Well as this was so huge, I went mad and put everything I have on it.  I don't know if it's a hell of a mess or a good card.  You decide.
I added distress inks and then embossed the card with the swirl. Then I stamped the images and heat embossed them.  I took some of the colour out with thin bleach. Then for some unknown reason, to fill out the spaces I guess - I used a Versamark pad and stamped the same images in the holes.  Still not content - I stamped the words everywhere.  I cut out the whorly bits and added gems.  Then I had a lie down.
And yes, I made a blinking envelope.  She'd better keep this for the rest of her life!!

Footie

Good evening!
I made this card for our neighbour's son.  He is a supporter of AFC Wimbledon, so I had to check out their strip before I could colour it in.  I don't normally make such big cards but since I bought an enormous A4 embossing folder, it helps fill out the card.  Anyway he was delighted with it.  I stamp is one by Pink Gem Designs.  I bought a set of letters that go through the Cuttlebug - hence I was able to make up the name.  Edges coloured with distress ink.  Footie ribbon finishes it off.
Goodness hasn't it rained today?  Gladly I didn't have to walk dogs today.  Not tomorrow!  I am so pleased my husband cut the lawn yesterday.  I put some bedding plants in some pots, so they are well and truly watered now.
We had a nice Sunday lunch in a pub in Caterham - listening to a jazz trio.  We know the musicians and like to support them.  Our friend Mike lives there anyway - so it was good to see him too.  Sunday evening I had three ladies here and we played whist and canasta.
On Saturday I was crafting with Kim Reygate at Davina's house.  I always manage to buy some new cutter or embossing folder and last Saturday was no exception.
It's half term this week, so it's nice to have a sleep in.  I should be having a rest but yesterday walked six dogs.  (Not altogether you understand.)  Two were a favour for our friends who had gone off to Wembley to support Crystal Palace in the play off.  Their team won, so they were very happy.  Goodness, this is definitely a football post.  Who knew I knew so much about the sport????

Anniversary

Well Lady Foster, if you're looking at this -it's coming your way. A day late - I'm sorry.

I started this card at one of Kim's classes at Stampcraft (Davina's in Purley). The stamp in a Magenta one and is very versatile.  I stamped the image with white embossing powder and coloured it in with distress inks. I used a 'filmstrip' punch on the outer edge, so thread the ribbon through.  A bit of embossing folder top left and a Nestie greeting finishes it all off.  And yes - plenty of pearls.

I have no furry friends to walk today, so am card making in my 'studio'. On Sunday I went with a couple of friends to The View - The Shard at London Bridge.  We had a super time and a sunny day - so it was perfect for the views. £25 if you book in advance so not too bad - unless you have a big family!

We had lunch at Hay's Wharf and then walked along the Southbank back to Waterloo and enjoyed the street theatre, even though it had started to rain by then.  Altogether a nice day.

Hi!

Well I now know why my scanner is refusing to work.  The all-in-one printer/scanner, is not compatible with my new Windows 8 computer.  They don't don't tell you these things when you buy them do they?  The printer is working ok but not the scanner part.  So I now need to buy a new printer scanner.  Think I should get a WiFi one.  (Sounds like I know what I'm talking about doesn't it?)  I believe I am right in thinking, that a WiFi one will also work with my iPad.  I am sure you'll tell me if I am wrong.
After work this afternoon, I am going to see EmmyLou Harris and Rodney Crowell at The Apollo Hammersmith, London with Dawn.  So, getting on my cowboy boots and denim jacket.
This card was made at the Hobby Art craft day earlier this year.  There is to be another craft day in June.  In fact two more days in June.  It's a great day out with fellow friends and crafters.  A must should you live in Surrey or nearby.  The yellow flowers are cut out and put on afterwards.  Sorry to say, I forget the name of the tutor who designed this.  All made with fab Hobby Art stamps.
YeeHah........ Until the next time

A lady card

Greetings.  It is Bank Holiday Monday and I am getting a few things done around the home.  We have had the pleasure of my sister in law with us for two days.  We went to the craft show at The Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley and I bought myself a few trinkets - to replace the the items stolen in our burglary before Christmas.
We also visited a National Trust property - Polesden Lacey - near Dorking in Surrey.  I have been before but you always appreciate going more than once, as there is so much to see and learn.  Rounded off her stay with a curry in our local Indian restaurant.  Salmon Saslik for me.  (Calorie counting)
The weather has been super for a change and the dearly beloved is busy painting the outside of the house. So whilst he has been busy, I have been surreptitiously been playing CandyCrush.  Well you have to don't you? I made this card for a dog walking friend of mine recently.  I love this Nestie.  I added blue ink inside the oval shape and over the cut out parts.  A little glitter bubbling up from the champagne glass finishes it off.
My scanner doesn't seem to be working but when I have sorted it, I will be putting on some lovely hand made cards I received for my birthday.

Back with Bargello

Hello!

After what some might call a long break - I am back to blog.  I hope to be a more frequent blogger than I have been of late.  It's a time thing.  I am sure you busy people know what I mean.  I was on holiday over Easter and my birthday and the run up to the trip took all of my time AND energy! We did however, have a super time with my sister and her husband. We flew to Singapore and after a few days, joined a Royal Caribbean cruise ship and sailed to the Middle East.  In time I may even include a photograph or two here - once they have been downloaded.
Since I last blogged, we have a new computer and a new camera - courtesy of the burglars who ransacked our house before Christmas.  May they rot in Hades.  So I have had to learn the new idiosyncrisises of the pc and I will have to be the brains behind the camera set up too, since my husband will only ever use Word on a computer.  So please bear with me.
Here we have a card which has a hand made Bargello background theme going on.  Kim introduced us to this technique last Saturday at a class at Davina's - Stampcraft.  We made the background paper using several strips of coordinating papers and stuck them down onto sticky paper.  then chopped them up again into long strips and placed them in a wavy type of pattern to create the effect you see above.  I then stamped onto the panel and made stamped flowers out of the same papers.  If I have not described that too well, check out Kim's blog.
I am now going out for lunch today, so must go..........