Blue & Green should never be seen

Hello again dear readers.  I have today made this card for friends of mine, as an anniversary card.  I started the card at a class with Kim and have just completed it.  The background was hand made then I stamped on it using a Woodware stamp.  I stamped it twice and used the separate flowers to decorate the border.  I Cuttlebugged the blue card and added luminous green gems for a spot of bling. Or should I say, may spots of bling?

I have neglected my blog for a while, having been otherwise occupied but hope to be adding more cards very soon.  I went to see War Horse last week with the other half.  We really enjoyed it and it wasn't as distressing as I thought it might be.  We have been looking after a beagle for a few days and she has been a total nightmare.  Whilst cute and cuddly, she is only motivated by food and has been something of a challenge.  She has three times tipped up the kitchen refuse bin.  Stole a chicken leg from Mike's dinner plate as he was eating.  This morning she vomited up two pieces of cellophane at 3 am!!!  She ate an entire square of bird feed suet and apples left out for the blackbird and has in the past eaten a wedding cake.  She can reach up to the kitchen counters, even tough she is small and we have had to be one step ahead at all times.  As we waved her 'Adios' today, Mike wasn't displeased to see the back of her.  She was a very loving dog in every other way though.  Now we have two very different pooches.  A Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier called Dillon and a Havanese called George, who I could eat, he's so gorgeous.

Yesterday we went to the ice show in Brighton with friends.  It was absolutely sensational.  It just gets better.  We were lucky enough to be on the front row and rather embarrassingly, I was pulled up at one point and made to jiggle around and dance with a skater.  (Mortifying) We later had a meal in English's - a fish restaurant, which was really very good.  I bought several flashing toys to take on my school bus.  I wonder how long they'll last.  I say they're for the boys but...........  I love playing with them.

Woodware challenge

This is my very first entry into a challenge and I have not a clue whether I've got the right idea or not.  That Kim Reygate made me do it!!! It's the Woodware January Sketch Challenge. I've had a look at the other cards that have been entered and I'm a bit embarrassed to send this but here goes!  No doubt someone will tell me if or where I'm going wrong.

I stamped and embossed in silver onto the blue card, then embossed the main fairy and used a Nestie to cut her out.  I coloured the edges by leaving the Nestie in place. Her wings have very fine glitter on them. I Cuttlebugged the pink panel and used an old punch I have on the blue card on the right hand side.  I made my own 'buttons'.  Here goes.

All in pink

More thank yous. This was a quick and easy thank you card, made with freebie stamps on a magazine.  I used a 'Ruby' embossing powder.  The top corner of the white panel was made by using one end of a Nestie. I just placed the cutting plate over the the edge.

I was on a First Aid course yesterday and I was back to driving the school bus this morning.  I heard that a girlfriend of mine died in her sleep on Monday.  She was only 52, so I'm feeling stunned and shattered.  

We're going out for a curry tonight with friends and another curry on Friday for my friend Dawn's birthday.  We're headed to Jimmy Spice's in Wimbledon.  Hopefully, these jaunts will take my mind off things. Then surely the diet will have to start on Monday.  Everything is tight again.

Mike received the gift of a 'Lairdship' from our friends Jill & John for Christmas. This has caused much merriment within the family. Ergo, I must be a Lady.  We must go to Scotland and visit his plot of land.  There will obviously have to be some sort of ceremony involving whisky.  If Scotland get their independence, we may be barred from visiting!

Thanks......

I have been making a few thank you cards and this is one of them.  The rubber stamp I have had for a long time but it's great for adding bling.  A bit of Cuttlebugging and Nestability-ing and you're done.

Today Mike and I took Benson's owner - Olive - to lunch at Polesden Lacey.  It was such a beautiful day and the view of London in the distance was very clear.

We later met two dogs that will be coming to stay for a couple of days.  Dillon and George.  A Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and a Havanese.  They seemed to settle in immediately, so I hope they enjoy their time with us.

Well, The Biggest Loser is back on the TV and I'm hooked again.  We have the new US show and the poor relation of a British version.  I am still watching the end of the Australian series.  There is another  British weight loss programme, with the added bonus of Jesse Pavelka from the USA.  He has now become my favourite personal trainer - sorry Bob Harper - I have moved on.  Just take a look at Jesse in Google Images.  I think you'll have to agree!!  I don't know when he came to England, but he didn't look me up!! (What has all this got to do with card making??  Absolutely nothing!)

Happy New Year

All the best to my dear  crafting friends one and all.  I wish you health and happiness in 2012.

This card is for my friend Anna.

Happy Christmas

Hello Strangers!  Apologies for my absence but I have been so busy before Christmas and we have also been to Torquay and Cornwall for almost a week.  My sister hosted a party for my quiz night and we had over 50 people attend.  It all went very well and they're looking forward to next year's!
My husband had a procedure on his knee yesterday in Epsom hospital and is now home on crutches.  So I am now head nurse and may even have to cook!!!  Surely I can improve upon hospital food.
My dear sister Carol is 61 today and I made her a Venetian themed card.  For my 50th birthday, she and Martin took us to Verona and Venice.  This photograph was taken on Lake Garda on a boat we hired.  Her gift today, is a globe featuring Venice city.
I have had this gondola punch for some time and wondered if I'd ever use it. I made a raised frame using the Nesties and placed the photo flat on the card.  I used a Cuttlebug folder on the fame and punched the gondolier out four times.  I'm sure she'll thank me for reminding everyone how old she is but she looks nothing like her 61 years.
Have a wonderful Christmas friends and strangers alike and a happy and healthy 2012.

Still Christmas

Right that's it! I'm making no more Christmas cards this year.  This central panel has been decoupaged. The green card has been Cuttlebugged in snowflakes and swiss dots.  A few embellishments complete the final card.
I am in the middle of making several quizzes for when I hold my quiz night at my sister's home in Torquay before Christmas. I have only two more to make up.  I make them all up from scratch and only check the answers on the Internet.  I really enjoy doing it.  I have a dinner party at our home this weekend, so I may use my guests as guinea pigs on a few of the quizzes.  Just to see if they're too easy or too hard.
Today we are getting Christmas out of the loft and making the house look festive.  I have all my gifts now and the cards are written.  Just wrapping left to do.  I'm starting to feel Christmassy now and looking forward to the holidays.