Do the funky chicken with me

Aren't they fab? Phil made these as a present for his mum. EVENTUALLY we will get our own set but there are lots of other crafty things for him to do first. You can see one of the real chickens there too which gives a sense of scale! They weren't really fooled though. Sadly he posed them by the messiest area in our garden. We have another new animal in our garden mind. Lucky keeps trying to get her to play but she is very lazy. (Found in some woods between here and Brentwood. How did she get there?)

I am feeling very smug because I cello bagged all the cards last night. Go me. Although now I need to make some more. Which makes me desperate to scrap. And I haven't really got time for either for days. I suppose I can sneak a few cards in where I can't scrap. Oh well.

We have a big service at church on Sunday. The Salvation Army who have been sharing/renting our buildings for a year are moving back to their refurbished building. So we are starting the service at my church, then marching to theirs and worshipping there. And then it is time for lunch and a nosey round. It is weird how excited I feel about this. NOT that they are going. But there is something sacred and special happening. Quite what that will be I will have to wait and see as the preparation and the worship unfolds.

I did have time yesterday for my DCM card. Of course I had time! It is a special day for us as we have now been going for 2 years. We are not making a big fuss 'cos that hasn't ever really been our way. We don't get much sponsorship and apart from Jo and increasingly Kathy, none of us are "big name" cardmakers but we enjoy the challenge of challenging each other and seeing what other people come up with week after week. I don't write comments on every blog. I'm sorry if that offends some people but I just can't manage it. But I always, always appreciate the people who are playing along.

The first dare was done by Jane, Kathy, Rhi, Kel, Debbie, Saffa, Jo, Lynda, Keryn, Tracie and me. there have been lots of changes in our lives and in the team - lots of joys like babies and weddings and some tough times too. There have been other people who have come and gone within the last two years. All wonderful people and amazingly talented crafters. I'm not going to attempt to name them all now as I will only leave someone out and I don't want to! And the current team is simply fabulous - all supportive of one another and what we try and do. So thanks DCM guys, past and present and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

on to the card after the sentimental bit! Its a bit poignant that one of the "originals" is taking some time out. Rhi we will miss your wonderful cards and hope you will be back with us soon! Anyway she left us a corker of a dare.

Paint the Town........
red, green, sky blue pink with yellow dots on, or any colour you fancy, with acrylics, H2Os or watercolours, with brushes, sponges or splatters. We don't mind, as long as you use paint on your cards. So have some fun with the DCM and get Painty this week.

So guess what papers I went for?
Uh huh. No "Surprise" at all!
But can you blame me? They are so fab and go nicely with the ranger dabber colours. Its not the most economical way to buy paint but the colours just can't be beaten.
A cutie pie at church is one this week. Her name "Reya" means Queen so I thought she ought to have a crown. The crown and the 1 are grungeboard, the 1 cut with a Sizzix Lollipop Die. I cut some acetate using a Nestie die and painted the back. NB this is even messier than you would think. BUT I love the effect and will be doing it again. Probably quite a lot. The stickers are also Scenic Route and the bling I can't remember and I'm not walking all the way to where I craft to find out. Then a bit of penwork aka doodling. I saw it called pen work the other day and it makes adding a few swirly lines sound much more grown up!

Tomorrow I will be gardening at one church, eating chinese food and hearing a talk on taking Bibles to China at the other and sorting washing in between. What a great job I have! At least it is never dull.
Have a good weekend