Foxed by a box

Thought I would start the post with the craft stuff this week rather than make you hang about! (Or delay your gratification if you are more interested in the wittering than the card making) (And if neither, why are you here?)

This week's Daring Cardmaker challenge was quite a stretch for some of us. But what is good about that is that it brings lots of innovation and I think the blog looks stunning myself. Fran gave us the title Box of Tricks and told us to include a box on our projects. I was stumped for quite a while. And then decided I wanted something that I could put another part of the card in (like .... a box then Lythan). I looked up some box templates on line and came across a pillow box. "oh that might work" I said to myself. I should never listen to myself. And maybe should have a template with instructions.... so mine looks more of an envelope than a box. But it is dimensional and it has something inside. So with all my petty excuses out of the way (I could throw in, 'and I'm still not fully recovered' for the sympathy vote but I would not dream of stooping so low), here is my card.

I used Echo Park papers and stickers, a free tag that I found whilst starting the decluttering of my craft stuff pre move (oh such a long way to go); EK Success punches, A PTI scallop die and Banana Frog stamps. I adore this set of stamps and already had one set - but managed to lose the "A" (they are only small) so when BF was closing down I decided to buy another set as I can't go without an A. So glad I did. I shall keep the other set for spares just in case! Inside my pillow BOX (not envelope) is a tag

 

And I also must draw your attention to the black sparkly ribbon, purchased from Imagine That

Isn't that gorgeous? It is really smooth to the touch as well. 

The card is for Carys' piano teacher. Carys takes her grade 5 exam this Saturday (I'm so nervous) which will mean the end of her formal lessons. Her teacher has the patience of a saint and is just all round awesome so the card and something lovely will be winging their way to her, with an exam run down afterwards. (My bet is Carys will say "it was fine")

Just one more card to share today. I have done a little more crafting this week but not much as my energy/concentration levels are still quite bad. I have developed a love of "Police Interceptors" on 5* this week. It has helped me not to over do things. It is fab as the series is based with Essex police and I know most of the places that they drive around. Anyhoo, this is my Mum's mother's day card, made with a new set of Imagine That stamps

 I've still got a way to go to making them look as fab as Emma does, but I had fun making it! I also used some Nestabilities dies, Mei flower gems and Paula Pascual round stamps. Crochet lace from stash. My Mother's Day present to mum this year is .... me! Phil visited his mum this week and took her to lunch and I'm taking mum out in Easter week. We have to wait so long because I need more time to get too and from my parents. She is delighted though (phew)                                     I must photograph my cards as they are fab. One bought one with lovely words written inside; two hand made - one with a great drawing of me and the other laugh out loud funny. I had some great things to read and to eat and Carys and I watched Singin' in the Rain as she had never seen it before (and I reckon that some of the dance routines in the show now on are BETTER that the film)

I've had two funerals this week and they, along with Police Interceptors, have taken up a lot of my time so I must crack on with Sunday's service and some confirmation materials for three teenage lads who want to be baptised and become members of one of my churches. So exciting!