If you celebrate a special day on Tuesday look away now

No, not Carys
or me,
but a friend who is celebrating a special something that isn't their birthday on Tuesday.

And just to make sure in case she reads this on Facebook I'm going to make sure the first photo is a scrapbook page I did recently...
using some lovely MME papers and a sketch. Possibly Sketchy Thursday. I really must right them down better...
Also used doodlebug stickers and a Bazzill Just the Edge, edge.

Right now back to the celebration in question. A dear friend and absolute brilliant person is celebrating 25 years as a Minister which doesn't seem possible. She is just a wonderful person who has been reminded recently that Ministry is a rollercoaster and all you can do is hold tight and trust in the Lord. we all need that from time to time but could do without some of the twists and turns I know. 25 years - that is awesome!
And so when I found out the Daring Cardmakers Dare this week - Ice and Snow - I thought I could combine the two cardmaking needs into one! See I was thinking white, silver, sparkles (every Minister deserves sparkles) . Didn't quite come out that way - but is better for being slighly less frosty I think.
Card is cut out using a Paperartsy frame die which I borrowed from Imagine That to do a card class and might just have cut out some more to use at home (blush) but at elast one of the big dies is coming home with me on Monday as a surprise birthday present so I can feel less guilty :)
The papers are WRMemoryKeepers Coppered Out also from Imagine That although I mostly used the back. My two fave emobssing folders were made to work. The dove (sign of the Holy Spirit) is a KandCo paper template I use A LOT; cross is a Nestabilities die, 25 are doodlebug letters. I also used lots of gems and heaps of Glamour Dust. Here is a close up of the sparkly cross
Although I am always humbled by the fact that Jesus died like a common criminal on rough wood, as we celebrate his resurrected gift for us I think we can give the cross sparkles too!

Almost finally... another layout for the holiday album - just two pages to go and 2009 is done. Result!
This is from another sketch - there was a hop round various blogs with sketches and I snaffled them all without keeping the links. This sketch was so much fun and perfect for the new Cosmo Cricket Delovely papers. Also used Kand CO and MLS letter stickers; heart from Gotta Craft and strategically placed Martha Stewart butterfly and Prima pearl!

And really finally... my Nikki Sivils giveaway goes to ....Becky G at Camellia Cottage. Contact me so that I can send your goodies off soon!

Dashing in, dashing out

One of those super busy days today with just a moment to blog. Well 5 minutes...
So I'll keep it short (5" 2. And a half. Well it was a half but I might have shrunk what with getting old. So lets say and a quarter).

Today is Salt challenge day. Kim always writes amazing blog posts - both when introducing her challenge like today and also when reflecting on others. Her theme really got me thinking. Well puzzling at first - "to obey is better than sacrifice." And then after days of staring at it I finally understood it. I had been reading sacrifice in terms of sacrificial living and not actual sacrifice and the reason obedience is better is because in this case Saul was doing what he wanted and not what God wanted. Kim explains it better so do have a look.

Then it was a case of what photo? My dad recently sent me some vintage slides he had put onto CD which means that I have a lot of material to use that is me, but not me now (if you see what I mean!) I thought that this one of me walking was a good one and it gave me the title

I was inspired by a thread on UKScrappers to use up old papers so got out these Jenni Bowli "too pretty to use" ones from about 3 years ago. I use the pink one a lot as a template which I think stopped me using them all so drew round it first. I think the colours go well with my coat! Lots of inking, outlining and some glossy accents were used.

Here are my reflections and some pretty flowers made using Making Memories stamps


Right I am 4 minutes over deadline - that'll be the waffle on my height.
Byeeee

Blink and it's over

H finished his A level exams on Monday and E finished his GCSE's on Friday. Currently we only have one child who needs to get up for school in the morning... When did that happen? This week has felt a tad more even keeled than last but the week coming is a little heavy in places work wise. I'm also aware that I am back in a funk about being 45 in just over a week. (see that is half way to 90!). PLEASE let me have adjusted to ageing by the time I am 5o because all this angst is just BORING.

On a nicer note! I have had fun playing with paper this week. I've done a new card class for Imagine That which has put some new things on my "want" list - dies that make fabby big shaped cards. I won't show you those just yet though... And I have also started making cards using the soon to be released Funky Hand CD - won't show you those either! Instead I will reveal some cards made with Nikki Sivils papers and embellishments as she has been a most generous sponsor of Daring Cards this week.

And through Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker and Sarah's Cards (who stock some of the range) you can win one of 5 fabulous prizes in our prize draw.
There are rules to qualify and here they are:
1. Make a card using the sketch prepared by Kathy.
2. Submit it for NO MORE THAN 3 challenges, including this one.
3. Add links to your blog for the Daring Cardmakers, "Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker" and Sarah's Cards.

And I've also got a goody bag of papers and bits which I will send to one of the people who leave a comment under this post on my blog.
So what did I make? Two cards, inspired by Kathy's sketch.
Firstly the one that was featured on the blog. Dad, if you are reading this on Facebook before Father's Day, LOOK AWAY NOW!
I didn't use one particular line, jsut tried to find some masculine-y papers. Everything is NSS except for the letters (Kand CO) and Stamp (Imagine That), Nestablilities and Prima Bling that might have been needed to hide a smudge...

And the other card uses papers from the Flaming Butterfly collection
and lots of black card to back it. the butterfly was cut from 12x12 paper the rest is from the paper pad. I added some glitter to the butterfly. Stamp and gems from Imagine That. Scallop border die is Papertrey Ink.

The team have made some amazing cards so go and have a look at the blog and then have a go yourself to win, win, win!

Not waving but drowning

I am just overwhelmed by everything going on and decisions to be made and prayers to be said and meetings to take part in at the moment. Aaaaargh.
And I am trying very hard to keep balance in life at the same time - making time for rest and play as well as work. But it is so hard and when I feel like this I often end up doing nothing and just giving my best White Rabbit from Alice impression. God help me. That is both an exclamation and a prayer!

I can't share the bulk of the work stuff here but can share the play!
Firstly, yesterday's Salt challenge where Julie asked us to think about a Mother's Love - particularly in terms of Hannah. I was struck by this paragraph

I was reading an excellent book this week the author talks about motherly love and one of the best examples of it in Bible, Hannah. We all know the story well I'm sure. As a mother I cannot imagine giving up my son, my firstborn son, to live far away from me the care of priests at the temple. But the author pointed out that the very next verse after Hannah takes Samuel to the temple and gives him over to Eli is I Samuel 2:1: "And Hannah prayed and said, 'My heart rejoices in the Lord.'" After doing what was probably the most difficult thing she could have, she praised God! Hannah knew, as we should, that our children belong first to God - He loves them more than even we do and He has given them to us for a short time to raise for His glory!

which formed the basis of my layout
alongside this weeks Studio Calico sketch. I don't get SC kits. I did once win one and it was fab but I just can't afford to so instead stand with my nose pressed against the window drooling. So I used Cosmo Cricket papers, chipboard and stickers from various collections which I inked and sometimes punched. Here is a close up of most of the blurb
I am aware I have three kids not two but Carys will be at home a lot longer than the boys!
This is something I have always felt profoundly - when H first went to Playgroup at 2 and a bit I thought "ah, that's it. I am already beginning the process of him being independent and that there are parts of his life I may never know about and can't control". To think only 2 years before that I was wondering how my newborn could sign his prescription when it dawned on me that he was my responsibility.
And all to soon he will be - to all intents and purposes - leaving home and making his own decisions. Sigh.

OK enough being maudlin, on to Daring Cardmakers.
World Cup fever even appears here (is there no escape?)

The World is Your Oyster

I'd like you to celebrate all the amazing and diverse countries and cultures we have in this world of ours by making cards with a "feel" of any country you like. There's a whole world of possibilities out there, so don't just go for the obvious {wink

I don't mind the footie it is the all encompassing nature of the coverage - with Wimbledon coming to fill in any sport free holes in the middle - that makes me despair. But I'll say now - Come on England!
Which, as they play the US for the first match means my choice was not great... I went for almost the obvious - stars and stripes - and ended up with (close to) red, white and blue colours.
I used some really old double sided papers; Purple Onion stars and sentiment embossed in white; Martha Stewart punch and Papertrey ink ribbon.
Some of the others have been ooodles more creative so go and take a look!

I have two services this Sunday - in the morning we will focus on Greed and Generosity with the wonderful story of Naboth's vineyard which has the whiff of Macbeth about it. Sunday evening we have the first of a monthly communion service shared by our emerging group of 5 churches in the area which is a significant marker to our progress and I will talk about being a New Creation - even though I am feeling very jaded myself!

Pearl's a singer

(do-be-di-do)
she stands up when she plays the pi-aaaaano

This is what goes through my head every time I hear the word "pearl".
Every time.
It makes me wish I had a big blues voice like Elkie Brooks. Sadly I sound more like Aled Jones before his voice broke.
Ah well I can sing like Elkie in my dreams!

Which is all an excuse to showcase my very late addition to the Daring Cardmakers challenge this week. Its June's birthstone which is, yes you guessed it...
Moonstone!
Oh, and pearl. Obv.

I had already used these rather lovely Queen Bee papers on a layout (see below) so enjoyed using some of the scraps to make a card. Had no real idea what I was doing (can you tell?)

Papertrey ink cardstock and stamp; EK Success punch; Nestablilities Label 8; Liquid pearls and Bazzill in Stitches template; brown corduroy distress ink; ribbons, button and flower from stash. Oh and little pearls from Imagine That. Love those pearls so much. Have now run out. Must get more. Why am I writing it like I am a zombie?

Here's the layout
Also used Tim Holtz and Papertrey Dies; Fiskars punches; Purple Onion stamps; K and Co embellishments and Jenni Bowlin stickers. And a quilled flower that I had in a swap years ago. The person that made them died from cancer last year so it is always poignant to use them.
Here's the blurb in close up
Its an amazing place to visit and TE Lawrence is buried in the graveyard (which isn't next to the church).

And another layout for my summer scrapbook
This was the way through to a fossilised forest and the sign made me very nervous. I tried doing a close up of the journalling but the combo of crammed together words and lines meant I couldn't focus them. If you are desperate then click on it and use a magnifying glass!
Papers are Cosmo Coricket Garden Variety. Also some embellishments from my new Gotta Craft Dabble embellishment kit. Its fab.

I am back to work proper today after spending yesterday mostly cleaning and putting away (OK and a wee bit of crafting). It will be another busy week one way or another but I will be back on Thursday with my Salt Dare

Good Day Swansea

We have been away for half term to Swansea and the weather was wonderful. It is always a bt hit and miss - you want green rolling hills, you need rain, but it was balmy just about the whole time. We went on a long walk which happened to have Verdis in the middle on Bank Holiday Monday. We visited a bookshop on Tuesday. Some of us had a stroll along a lovely little river on Wednesday with one of us visiting that again early on Thursday. And all of us braved the "Park of Doom" (so called because two seperate visits ended in trips to A&E) where some of us got to ride in Dragons and Swans and most played crazy olf with no-one getting cross and we all ended up at Joes Icecream Parlour. Which is better - Verdis or Joes? There's only one way to find out - eat more of both!
A lot of games of Bananagram were played and Dad put some old photos of me on CD which everyone found hysterical. I was a fat baby. No really I was. Here is one when I was beginning to lose the chub on March 1 1968 when we were living in Clapham. I was then cute for a few years. Sadly it didn't last. Still, lots of scrapping potential!

Home yesterday for a double dose of Movie Night - Monsters vs Aliens (loved it) and Mummy 2 (OK but the kids loved it but blamed the script writers for making the young lad say some inappropriate things!)

All of which meant I haven't posted about my Get Funky card this month. The theme chosen by Allison is brown, pink and cream (yum!) and I used Funky Seasons again. I love going back over the old Funky Hand CD's and reminding myself of all the gorgeous colourways. But then I can't wait to get the new CD either! Here is my card
Lots of layering up and inking of edges going on. Inking means you can pile on the patterns!
Also used

• Fiskars border punch
• Purple Onion sentiment stamp (its in two halves and I am happy to have found "Happy" again after about 2 years!
• Nestabilities circles
• Stampin Up bird punch. Love it so much!
  

Today Phil and I have tramped the streets of London looking for Elephants - I'll post more about that soon!

22 years ago today

I hadn't really slept.
I was nervous and excited.
And excited and nervous.
Then, dear reader, I married him.
22 years later I cant't imagine life without him.
He makes me laugh.
He put the bins out.
He (sometimes) lets me put my cold feet on him to warm up.
What a star!
Happy Anniversary hun!

The day before we got married was my mum's 50th birthday. So for the first few years the 'rents would come and visit us to have a double celebration (ie they got our one bedroom and we slept on the sofa and floor in our tiny flat). Because they were coming and we had to do a lot of cleaning and tidying and present buying for mum, on our first anniversary it suddenly dawned on us that neither had remembered a card so we had to go to the nearest shop and hide from each other while we bought one! (This year Phil remembered at 5pm yesterday)

To stop that happening to me this year I decided that the Daring Cardmakers challenge this week would be

Happy Anniversary

and here is my card
Lovely Cosmo Garden Variety papers, all outlined with black card. A Martha Stewart border punch, Papermania chipboard pieces, some Stickles action and a gem and it was done. Neither of us reneged on the no presents pact (phew) but we will go out for lunch today.
Whatever your day brings - may there be some love and laughter too!

Flash! Aa-argh

I'm still in shock from discovering my trousers had split and I don't know when it happened - while I was out all morning? (please no) and of course it was a white undies day! Must stop eating all the pies...

It is Salt challenge day today and Hazel chose the theme Power to be Witnesses, reflecting on the coming of the Holy Spirit. At the church I led worship at on Sunday we have a large cross outside covered in chicken wire and we want to use that more to do something arty and share our faith. So on Sunday I took along banner shapes for people to write the letters of "Pentecost" on them for us to hang up. Once more I fell foul of having a great idea but not really thinking it through... It took FOREVER to tie the banner shapes on - and we were in the middle of worship. Note to self: think more about how to attach pennants and practice. Still it made a nice little display along with some ribbon.

However I had not learned my lesson by yesterday when I had a visual idea "take photo of bubbles" without the skill to do it. It was quite windy and so it proved quite hard to take a photo even when Phil had fiddled with the camera settings. The one I used on my layout was the best of a poor set really!
You'll need to click on the photo to even spot the bubbles in their grainy reality.
Next thing to go wrong was decided to use A LOT of paint to make the circle. Made the paper really hard to work with. If it wasn't my new favourite Basic Grey Basics I would have given up. Anyway I am glad I perservered. My idea was to have the bubbles representing the Spirit that blows into our lives - usually unseen though! It was lovely that the tiny letters set I used (Cosmo Cricket) had the word "spirit" at the bottom of the individual letter stickers.
Also used:
Costco papers
Tim Holtz die
Making Memories paint
Grungeboard heart coloured with Distress ink and red sharpie pen
Hambly overlay
Nestabilities die
QVC chiboard coloured with brown sharpie
I'm following Christine Middlecamp's embellished paper doily posts which give insight into her wonderful layers which led to this

You can also see my attempts to layer embellishments on this page. My younger two just love spending time teasing each other - in a loving way (usually). Just goes on and on! So I used that as a theme for a random (but rare) photo of the two of them on a fossil beach last summer
Its a layout that was a disaster to start with (like the one above!) but has gradually turned into one I love. The papers are Scenic Route Grafton. I also used Banana Frog stamps; Scenic Route Stickers; American Crafts Thickers; Martha Stewart butterfly punches; Tim Holtz die - ooh and lots of real sewing! The monograms were peachy coloured so I alcohol inked them.
Plus more Christine style layering
I'll be back tomorrow with a Daring card - my challenge this week!

Endings and beginnings

Today I stepped down from the role of Chair of the Compact for Havering. A Compact is a written agreement between the Voluntary Sector and Public Bodies about how they will work together. I am mightily relieved that the new Government have endorsed Compact otherwise the last 5 years would have been a waste but apparently it is a vital tool for Big Society. I became part of Compact because I was wingeing in the sidelines and I have a rule which says if you moan a lot you have to do something about it. And because I moaned about something else I ended up being Convenor of Area Committee for the United Reformed Church which means I have to step down from Compact. I have another rule which is if I take something on I have to give something up.

Gosh with all this sensible work stuff and having made cupcakes and altered a t-shirt this week I feel quite the super woman. But really, really, really I am not. e.g. I should be making tea for the family RIGHT NOW and if you saw the state of the study floor you would cry. And I have actually been doing both jobs since January up to now!

I am sad to be leaving behind the Compact and the politics and policies as I love it all. I might be able to still be involved in a small way. What has made me laugh over the years is the surprise shown by those who have seen me chair meetings and give speeches. Being a Minister involves an awful lot of chairing meetings and giving speeches - I guess people don't equate leading worship with speeches and think all Ministers do is tidy up the hymn books (that's the view on the tv anyway).

We managed to squeeze Emrys' birthday tea in before some meetings on Wednesday - Pizza Express as it was local (and speedy and delish!) . I was glad that it was his birthday this week as it gave me impetus to do the card for this week's Daring challenge nice and early. the theme is

Boyzone

(Which seems unfortunate now given that the group is in the news again, not for good reasons. oh Ronan, why?). There are some great download prizes on offer this week from Charmed Cards and Craft.
See the Daring Cardmakers blog for details of the prizes and how you qualify.
Here is my card...
I found these rather cute Papermania chipboard pieces for men and boys - expect to see more soon. This one looks a bit like our Em who is usually glued to a console! The papers are all Cosmo Cricket Cogsmo which I saved for best years ago and then didn't use it but I must get it out again as the colours are great. I also used a Tim Holtz die and MLS stickers.

The meeting I had on Wednesday was the AGM of one of my Churches. People write reports which are published and I like to give thank you cards to everyone involved. Some leaders cover more than one group so I had 17 cards to make. I managed them all in one evening by making them small and using a production line. Here are three of them
They are half A6 (7?) and feature an inked strip of card and a QK heart sewn together with zigzag stitch; a Papertrey Ink sentiment stamped direct to the card (only one fluff up, go me) and a Nestabilities cross on the top. Simples. Now I just have to write them all. But maybe make tea first....

Just for the frill of it

Having seen this post I had the urge to try it myself.
I am rediscovering my sewing machine - great joy!
NB I am not as photogenic and couldn't find such pretty coloured t-shirts as Dear Lizzy could but...
Now I have to make one for Carys...

It is actually this one's birthday today.
(He doesn't want a t-shirt like that)
16 years old... hates having his photo taken.
I found lots of photos of him as a toddler last night whilst looking for embarrassing ones of me in the 80's to show Carys my Ashes to Ashes moments (I think they are mostly at my parents on reflection). He was sooooo photogenic. A real milky bar kid.
We still adore him. Happy Birthday Emrys!

Missed my party

Zoomed by my blogaversary last week. I've now kept this up for four years. Amazing! Still I note that two of the last three years I was sick around this time of year so not being is a bonus. I'm too busy to be sick at the moment really.

I did have time to stop and be crafty today though. Love my day off! Also fitted in a clean of the craft room and loo and movie night. We watched Defiance which scored at least 8 out of 10 by all the family members. Now Carys is nearly 14 we watch more 15 films as it does extend the range of what we can watch. Actually some seem less sweary and violent that 12 films to me...

We didn't have a takeaway tonight as Phil and I both had one of my Peanut Butter cupcakes at lunch time. I found a recipe for PB cupcakes with PB frosting and chocolate topping that I just had to try. Next time I make cupcakes I will halve the ingredients as these would feed a family of four for a day (let alone being the calorie count for a Sumo wrestler for a week - I sued a whole jar of PB!). They are delish but the most filling and sickly sweet treats this side of Cadbury World!

Here are two layouts I made today - both Weymouth hols ones.
This is taken the day we went to Durdle Door - a really amazing natural phenomenon. I would have liked to dawdle round Durdle but it was cold and the kids weren't having it. "It's just a rock" Sigh. The papers are Crate Paper Brook. I got a great tip from their blog about using the very bottom edge with the tag bit, so I have used two of those here. Also used Brown Corduroy distress ink; Chatterbox cork embellishments (one recut with a QK heart die) Making Memories Letters and Prima pearls. Here is the writing bit
And here is the second
The photos are worth seeing in close up - P and C having fun rolling down a hill - several times! I used the first of my BG Basics papers using a doily to make a mask. Also used
Self Addressed doodle template
Scenic Route papers
EK Success punch
Fiskars pinking scissors
Sizzix letter dies
MLS stickers
Papermania eyelets
Flower top pin and heart buttons from stash.

Must remember to buy Emrys some birthday presents tomorrow. (for Wednesday!) He finds it hard to suggest anything which makes shopping difficult too. We have found a way to squeeze in opening said presents which doesn't involve getting up at half six so it is done before H goes to college and means there is just time for a birthday pizza at our local pizza express in between H arriving home and me having to go out for a v. imp meeting!

For those of you who have been reading and supporting for four years - thanks! I often feel like my crafting is a bit dull and derivative so your nice comments always cheer me up!

And a day late

with my Salt layout.

Work life has been quite hard this week. Some demanding meetings and follow up (they do drain me darlings!) plus it being Christian Aid week so I have to fit in collecting. I ahve to say that it is not bad so far. A fair few people were out. I've done the same road for 3 years now and collect at randomly different times - some houses there has NEVER been a reply. I'm also more aware of who is probably going to say no so I am ready for the rejection. (Me, take it personally? Never!). I am sad when I can see that people just can't be bothered to go and find a few pennies to put in an envelope. Almost more than those who on principal don't give to charity or who don't want to support a Christian charity or who already give in other ways. But most people are generous and polite and for those who are able to give - I thank you.

Oops, forgive the soap box moment! Anyway I finally finished my Salt layout yesterday. Tanis gave us a Biblical quote and a CS Lewis quote to mull over. I used the Bible on my layout but not Lewis

"Put first things first and we get second things thrown in: put second things first and we lose both first and second things" (C.S. Lewis, God in the Dock)
which is fabulous isn't it?

When thinking "so what photo sums that up" I had a look at Phil's Flickr account and saw this wonderful photo which I publish without all my bits stuck to it as it needs looking at all on its own.I wanted to say that if God can make these wonderful tiny things then we can relax and obviously put him first. I had to use my Crate Paper Brook collection as the colours went together so well. I've got enough left for another layout fortunately as I love these papers!
This layout is loosely based on a Jana Eubank sketch. I also used red sticky tape and some fuzzy felt powder stuff (what's it called?) that was 99p for 4 pots from the Range. The letters are Jenni Bowlin and I also used Nesties Ovals; Prima and Papermania sticky pearls.

I'm obviously in a yellow/aqua mood as all the things I have to show today use those colours!
Next is my Daring card. Today's theme is...

A-Bunting We Will Go!

I knew that I had some Banana Frog bunting stamps somewhere that I had to have but have hardly used.
so I stamped and cut out lots of flags - enough to make another card I think! The ribbon is from the stamp set too. Also used October Afternoon papers and stickers; a Sharpie pen, Sizzix parcel die; Papermania pearl; corner rounder.

And here is the layout that I actually made before either of those things but haven't had time to photograph!
And there is sewing on it. Real actual zigzag stitch. The layout refers to the fact that given the chance to look at a view or stay in the car and read, the kids make the same choice that i did at their age! Also used Nesties and QK diess; buttons from stash; Jenni Bowlin trim, paper flower and Cosmo Cricket chipboardLoads to do this weekend - including making cards for my birthday boys (Sunday and Wednesday!). And of course Christian Aid collecting round 2. Have a good weekend.

A week early

Now the kids are older, one of us gets up to check the younger two are getting going (we get up at the time the older one has to leave for college poor thing!) and the other one can stay in bed a little longer. Tuesday is one of my stay in bed days. But I had to get up early as I have a Junior School Assembly in Romfordto go to and although it is not til 9 I have to leave not that long after 8:15 (for a 20 minute trip) in order to ensure I am there on time due to the work/school run. Of course when I double checked the assembly is next week...

Still it gives me a chance to showcase my latecomings! Funky Hand published a fab new download called Flutterby Flowers. What I love about the digi downloads is that you can change the sizes around and so get even more value for money. So here are my cards...
The first is yet another easel card using my fave download papers Retro Fun. It is my own card the person who is 80!Then I decided to be strong and find some different patterns to use! I broke out my "Now that's funky" CD and found some great patterns in lovely colourways including this rather gorgeous brown and blue combo. With a bit of Brown Corduroy distress ink and some faux stitching this panel card came together very quickly(stamp from Imagine That. Stick on gems bought from there too)

The third card took forever though!It is a large square card. I printed several butterflies of the same size on paper and used a few to cut the right size shapes out of different patterns, inked each one, stuck them on and then used black pen to go round so less white bits were seen! I think it took 2 hours in all so will be saved for someone special!
Also used Purple Onion stamps; Fiskars punch, Anitas ribbon.

Also on my crafting to do list yesterday was a 90th birthday card for a friends mum. His wife made a lemon drizzle cake as payment. As we have eaten the cake (my fave!) I thought I had better make the card. I ahd asked what her favourite colour was (mum not wife!) and he said "Lilac". I don't have much lilac I thought to myself. I fancied that the card would need some big paper flowers so I ordered some from Wild Orchid Crafts along with a few other bits and bobs. Don't look at the website if you can't resist temptation!
Of course you have to buy in bulk so expect to see some more lilac flowers appearing.
Now when I went to look at my papers I realised I was right. I don't have any lilac. Well apart from some Prima papers that I am saving for a really special layout (aka they scare me) and I was just about to use them anyway when I thought "Have you or have you not just spent the morning looking through your Funky Hand CD's. Surely there will be some lilac there". Naturellement on It's Funky Too there are loads of lovely lilacs - as you can see...
Its an A5 card. A style I use a lot for special occasions, using some Urban Lily paper numbers I have to draw around. Also used Cuttlebug Embossing folders; Glamour Dust; purple distress ink; purple onion stamps; Nesties label 8. FLowers leaves and crystals all Wild Orchid.

I have quite an intense day ahead so it has been worth getting up early all in all!

Interesting....

a word which covers both my musings on the election results in Britain today - Labour lost and the Tories didn't win - so what does that mean?
and also my musings on the US phrase "half-bath". Now, although I would never use the spellings, I believe that American English has the more sensible spelling system in many ways. BUT why say "half bath" when you mean a loo which doesn't have a bath in it at all?
Hmmm I wonder which musing is more controversial...

Having planned to stay up late I suddenly came over "oooh I have a lot of work to do tomorrow because I am at an all day meeting on Saturday so better go to sleep". Ah the joys of middle age. (Although I am not quite there yet, a month or so to go!). However I keep getting distracted now by the politicians arguing over who is the winner (I keep shouting at them "none of you are!" but they haven't heard me yet).

So onto other matters. It is Christian Aid week this week - a chance to lift our heads from thinking about local events and reflect on what life is like for others around the world. This year the focus is on Kenyan slums and poor sanitation and the title "from hope to change". It is good to be aware of our responsibility to care for God's children across the world and to give thanks for some of those things we take for granted - and yes, we will be talking toilets.

Craft wise - it is Daring Cardmakers day today. And the first Friday of the month - again! Which means it is birthstone week - and for May it is ...Emerald. Flushed with my success with my square easel card last week I have now made a shaped one for this weeks dare. I had to make a 90th birthday card - well two really as I had to make a large one for the church to sign as well. (Its three 80 ones this week) so wanted to make something a bit special.
I don't suppose Stan really would appreciate the fact that I used my favourite Basic Grey papers - but yes, there are some Origins on there. And yes, not all the greens are emerald. But enough are for me to decide it counts! I also used Origins chipboard; the largest Nesties scallop circle; a new Fiskars punch; Papertrey ink die and stamp; Sizzix numbers and Papermania gems.

Dcorafts Creativity! 21 is now out. There are some bits by me in it but I feel eclipsed by the talents of the other designers - especially my team mates Jo Kill and Enfys Cashmore (from DCM and Funky Hand respectively) and all the Creativity Life layout creators. Just awesome. Here are my two featured layouts this issue
This uses the Papermania Rose Garden Collection, some raffia and hand stitched ribbon roses. The journalling is about how my great-grandmother had to leave school at 9 to take care of her dad, older brother and her baby siblings when her mother died. The photo is of her with her own 5 children so she wasn't put off. I submitted another layout about my grandmother on my mum's side which wasn't used but I can't show you in case it is later. Shame as it was my favourite one of the lot. But I can show you the photo I used which I tinted pink. Isn't she beautiful?I used a Clare Curd template for the enxt layout
and the same paper range - but in a very different way and featuring the die cuts from the paper pack. That is me. Short hair on girls was "in" in the late 1960's apparently.
I also did a feature on the Henbury Lane goody bag. This photo is so bad as I had a quick turnaround of the materials and this was taken at about 1 in the morning! SO you can't really see all the glitter and the fully lined box. In the mag there are other boxes which are painted. I think I prefer that look! although those dimensional butterflies are so pretty.

This is my last contribution to Creativity! unless my circumstances change. Its a conflict of work deadlines that has brought that sad decision as everyone at the mag is so lovely and helpful. And honestly, I think there are loads more talented people than me who could do some wonderful work for them. I am carrying on with the Layout of the Week projects every now and then though and have completed one this week WAY out of my comfort zone which actually turned out to be quite cute!

I have a heavy working weekend - and mustn't forget to post my Christian Aid envelopes in Tawny Avenue on SUnday. However your weekend goes - may it be interesting!