A christmas card (at long last)

I just haven't been able to motivate myself to make my christmas cards.  I think most of the cards I'll be posting will be shop bought (yes I'm hanging my head in shame to say that). I've made this card for my auntie and uncle who I'm meeting on Sunday for lunch before they jet off to America for christmas.  I've used Papermania papers Home for Christmas.  The image I've used is called Little Elf Finn which is one of Mo Mannings.  How cute is she.  I've used a Spellbinders die to create the poinsettia.  I'm entering this card in 2 challenges - Charisma Cardz Challenge #48 Christmas and Mos Challenge #164 Anything Goes. Lets hope that now I've made one I'll make a few more.

Happy 21st Birthday

My friends daughter will be celebrating her 21st birthday this week (how time flies). I can still remember when she was born and the great days out we all had together.  As soon as I saw this Tilda stamp with the key I bought it ready for her birthday.  I've used the sketch from Magnolia Down Under Challenge #175. I'm always saying this but it is always easier to make a card if you've got a sketch to use. The background paper is First Edition Desert Blooms, its got a lovely glittery look to it but you can't tell by the photo. I've also used Tim Holtz weathered clock behind the image.

Birthday Hugs

I bought this Tilda stamp specially for my Auntie as she went to New Zealand a few years back and had her photo taken with a Koala. A perfect stamp to bring back (hopefully) happy memories.  I'm loving the new paper pads by Lili of the Valley, the papers I've used are NitWits Promises.  I've also used some of the paper to paper piece Tilda's dress and her hat.  I've used a Fleur De Lis Square, and the birthday sentiment is computer generated.  I used the sketch from Sunday Sketch & Stash Challenge #131. Its so much easier having a sketch to follow, and the Papertake Weekly Challenge is Anything Goes.

Penny Black October Challenge

The challenge this month at Penny Black is to follow a sketch done by Helen.  I always find is so much easier to make a card following a sketch.  This was a really nice sketch to use.  I've used A Gift For You Penny Black Stamp.  The papers are Nitwit Collection papers called Petal Fresh that I bought from Lili of the Valley.  The additions to the card are from a Spellbinders set called Parisian Accents.  I think I'll be using these again.

Battersea Dogs Home

Anyone that knows me, will know how much I love my dog Archie. He is the boss in our home, and me and hubby are always spoiling him.  I have recently been watching the TV programme Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs. This programme has been centred around Battersea Dogs Home.  I think nearly every episode I've watched I have cried, as I just can't believe how cruel people can be to dogs, but those poor dogs still have so much love to give.  Its amazing what you can find in blogland.  Before this programme aired, I had found a knitting pattern called Purly Paw Print Patchwork Blanket designed by Lauren O'Farrell, which as the title says is a blanket to make for a lonely dog. I saved it for a to do later. After just watching the first episode I decided that the knitting needles had to come out and this is the finished blanket.  15 plain squares, and 15 with a paw print in small, medium and large. This will now be winging its way to Battersea to give a dog some comfort.

Stampin' for the Weekend - Feeling Floral

Challenge 18 at Stampin' for the Weekend is Feeling Floral.  I made this card for my friends birthday and never got round to posting it on my blog.  I got the idea for this card from an amazing blog called Kittie Kraft ttp://kittiekraft.typepad.com/kittiekraft/2012/04/spotlighting-daisies.html.  I loved the technique Kittie had used for her card.  The stamp I've used is a Hero Arts.  The sentiment is a peel off. I'm really pleased with how the card came out, but I think it would have looked better with maybe a wider flower image.  Another excuse to buy a new stamp lol.

Tour of Britain 2012

On Monday me, hubby and Archie went to watch the 2nd stage of Tour of Britain fly past.  As mentioned on the website Stage Two sees the return of an old venue – Nottingham – and the addition of a new venue – Knowsley – as The Tour of Britain returns to Merseyside for the first time since 2008. Hubby has watched every stage of the Tour de France, the Olympics cycling (go Chris Hoy MBE and Victoria Pembleton MBE) and now the Tour of Britain, so there was no way we wouldn't go and see the riders.  I thought tho' that I would have been able to recognise Bradley, looking for his famous side burns. No chance. Its just a good job that the camera was taken so that looking back we could make out where Bradley Wiggins was and Mark Cavendish were. Bradley was at the front with the black top and blue stripe down his helmet, and Mark had the white top on with black helmet.